Page 18 of Love Me

“I only wanted to mention that this project has been on the table for months. And you’re rather new to the company.”

“And?”

“Uh, well, it might be a good idea to take some time and look over the designs properly before you make a rash decision.”

I run my hand through the neatly trimmed hairs of my beard to calm my temper.

“Don’t be such a hothead,”my mother used to tell me all of the time when I was a teenager. Only things that mean something to me can get me riled up.

My family.

My career.

Monique.

Not in that order. Two out of those three I will go to war for. But now, my career is inextricably tied to my family. Hence, the added irritation at Dan’s comment.

“Let me make sure I understand what you’re saying,” I tell him.

He sits up higher in his chair.

“You believe I didn’t take the time to look over the submitted designs and that I’m somehow being hasty in my decision when I say these plans don’t work?”

His eyes balloon. “I didn’t say that—”

“I’m pretty sure you did,” I start without giving him time to finish. “The close to twelve hours I spent pouring over the designs over the past three days isn’t enough time to figure out that they do not coincide with what the client is asking for.”

“I … we just submitted the designs yesterday.”

“And I had an inside look at them before they were submitted and took them home last night to study the designs. Is that not enough time for you?”

He glances around the room. All heads are lowered.

“This client is very picky. I’m surprised he even let someone with such—”

“Such what?” I ask through gritted teeth.

“So new to the company, is all I wanted to say.” He holds up his hands. “I think I speak for all of us when I say that all we want our client’s satisfaction.”

“You don’t speak for me.” I glare at him.

“What?” He genuinely looks confused.

“The client’s satisfaction is not my main concern. It’s for the well-being of the Townsend Real Estate name. This is not our first client, and it damn sure won’t be our last. My primary concern is that Townsend Real Estate delivers an end design that looks good and is functional in all areas.

“The client wants an eco-friendly design, but his measurements, as well as yours, are off. They’re outdated.”

I glance around the room, looking at the architects before me. “We can do better. And if we can't, maybe we need a new team.”

The room falls silent.

Dan is the only one who meets my gaze head-on. A slow, unfriendly smile crosses my lips. The bastard is testing me.

“We’ll take the next couple of weeks to develop a better design,” is the last thing I say before ending the meeting.

Even as everyone piles out of the room, I can feel the back of my neck burning from irritation.

I don’t mind having my ideas questioned. Questions can make for a better result. The problem is who the questions are coming from.