Page 83 of A Bossy Roommate

“Hardly. I don’t think he knew I was there because he was taking the call just outside the room.” She nudges me toward my office where we’re out of earshot. “I could tell he was talking about the meeting.”

“Today’s meeting with Harbor View?”

“Yes.”

“How? What did he say?”

“He was saying that the contract provides a loophole. Something about locking them into the quote they were given.”

I exhale. I know exactly what she’s talking about and what Huxley meant. “That’s it? That’s standard. We tend to aim on the higher side for our quotes to cover any unexpected changes or deals with the suppliers. It’s normal procedure.”

“Yeah, I get that. That’s not what I’m concerned about. I don’t know who he was talking to, but he mentioned something about not having an itemized breakdown of the cost orsomething and that he can use that to his advantage to get twice as much from them without them suspecting a thing.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “Really?”

“Yes. He used the term ‘milking the cow.’”

“Does he know you overheard his call?”

“I don’t know.”

“Anyway, it won’t happen, not on my watch,” I assure her. “He’s not the project manager. I am. And I don’t charge my clients for shit they don’t ask for.”

“Maybe you can offer the breakdown without the client having to ask for it,” she suggests. “It would provide full transparency about the project and would probably reassure them.”

“Of course, it’s procedure. Providing an itemized breakdown of costs is a common industry practice and is part of the bidding and contract negotiation process. A breakdown like that allows clients to see exactly where their money is being spent and helps them—and us—make informed decisions.”

“I see, but once a project is underway, the client’s point of contact would be the contractor. Is it possible that the contractor can somehow bypass this step?”

“Technically speaking, a contractor could choose not to provide an itemized breakdown, but that’s not going to happen here. The contractor is responsible for coordinating with subcontractors and suppliers, and ensuring that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the client’s satisfaction, but he still has to relay everything back to me.”

“Unless he’s reassured, he can skip that step. Looks like somebody is trying to make a huge profit by trying to not openly provide the info at one point or the other. You should call Huxley out on it.”

I know Eden’s heart is in the right place, and I appreciate her input, but first, I need to hear what we’re dealing with beforemaking decisions on how to smooth over any client’s lingering doubts.

“I’d rather tread carefully. We need the client to feel that we’re a united front.”

Eden doesn’t seem put out. She shrugs and returns to her seat. “Whatever you say. You’re the boss. Oh, oh! I have a thought! How about we meet them when they arrive in the lobby and bring them up?”

“That’s what we’ll do. Even better, we greet them in the parking lot.”

“Oh, brilliant idea,yes.”

Ten minutes before the presentation,a call from Gwen informs us that our driver who picked them up from the airport is two blocks away. “All right, we better get going then.”

I look at my watch. They’re on the dot. “Let’s go.”

“Let’s go. Let’s do this. Let’s knock ’em dead.” She gives me a bright smile that entrances me, and I have to admit, her cheerfulness rubs off on me. I find myself in a positive mood as we leave the office. It’s reassuring to have a reliable ally in my corner.

On our way to the elevators, we cross paths with Huxley, who’s heading to the conference room. He ignores me completely, talking away on his cell. Judging by his conversation, I assume he’s on the phone with someone from the board.

“Yeah, yeah, we should wrap this meeting up within the hour,” he’s saying. “I’m confident we’ll nail this. And if we don’t, you can take it up with the project manager.”

When he ends the call, I give him a look. “Subtle, Huxley.”

“I wasn’t trying to be.” He slips his phone into the front pocket of his jacket and looks at me. “We both know howimportant this meeting is. Do you think you’re up to the challenge?”

“When have I not been?”