Nothing. You nailed it. He didnt often feel that way about his artists work. Usually there was a lot of back-and-forth before he was satisfied.
How about this one, then? She placed a second comp on the drawing board, and Maxs jaw dropped yet again. It was another beautifully rendered drawing, showing the same little boy and girl, but in different poses. The first ad was ToughnSweet, one of his preliminary ideas for an ad campaign. This one was LovenPlay, which Jane must have come up with on her own. It showed the little boy getting a hug, and the little girl coming down a slide.
Max didnt know what to say. Hed seen that Jane had talent, but this was incredible. Have you ever shown your work?
She raised startled eyebrows. Shown? As in, at an art show or gallery? She laughed. Other than in college, no.
You could, you know. Youre good enough.
You arent saying that because youre going to fire me, are you? Suggesting an alternative career to soften the blow?
No. He smiled, wanting to reassure her. The second ad is good, too. Youre going to work out here just fine.
She beamed at him, and his heart lurched unexpectedly. Thanks.
Why dont you go home and get some sleep? Sounds like you put in a full day of work before you even got here.
Thanks, but I couldnt. Theyre doing some construction work at the marina right by my boat, and its so loud I couldnt possibly sleep there during the day.
All right. Hey, theres a couch in my office. Why dont you sack out there? Im interviewing potential account executives this morning, so Ill be in the conference room where I wont bother you.
She looked at her watch. You dont have more work for me?
I have a hot project coming in this afternoon, probably around one oclock, but nothing more right now.
A little nap, maybe, she conceded, then picked up one of her pastels. Just let me put a few finishing touches on-
No. He stood and took the crayon out of her hand, instantly aware where their fingers briefly brushed. Though she might be slightly unkempt this morning, she smelled fantastic. Youll get engrossed in your work and suddenly youll look up and hours will have passed. If you want to fiddle with the drawings after your nap, fine, but theyre perfect as is.
He ushered Jane into his office and cleared a stack of magazines and some mail off the sofa. Ive catnapped on this sofa myself, so I can vouch for its comfort.
Would you wake me up in an hour or so? I should be good to go by then.
Sure. He drew the shades, turned out the lights and left her there. But as he conducted his interviews, his mind kept wandering to the sleeping beauty in his office.
She was something else.
After the second interview, he realized hed left the third candidates résumé on his desk, and he wanted to review it before the woman arrived. He opened his office door as quietly as he could and tiptoed in without turning on the light.
Jane was flopped on the sofa facedown, one delicate arm bent over her head, her dark hair spilling across her shoulders. Her slow, even breathing told him she was still dead asleep.
Shed wanted to be awakened in an hour, but he didnt have the heart to disturb her. He stood there for a few moments, watching and listening to her breathe. Then she rolled over, still asleep, her pale blue T-shirt riding up high and offering him a glimpse of her creamy stomach. Her navel peeked out over the top of her low-riding jeans. She had a tiny gold ring in it.
Funny, he wouldnt have thought Jane Selwyn to be the type to sport a piercing. Maybe it represented her own little rebellion against the corporate-wife role shed played during her marriage. The thought made Max smile as he slipped out and quietly closed the door.
JANES PHONE DREW HER out of a deep, deep sleep and she realized shed done more than catnap. She sat up and tried to locate her cell.
There it was, on the floor. She bent and picked it up, seeing with a start that it was Kaylees school. She became instantly alert.
Jane Selwyn. Her heart thundered in her ears.
Hi, Jane, this is Monica Wagner, the nurse at Kaylees school. Now, dont worry, she said hastily, Kaylees okay, but she is running a low fever. Shes complaining of an earache. Youll have to come pick her up. As you know, its school policy that any child with a fever must be sent home.
Jane sighed. Ill be right there.
She looked at her watch. It was after eleven-shed slept for nearly three hours. It was enough that she could have worked the rest of the day with no problem, except for this little wrinkle.
Kaylee had experienced earaches before. She would have to visit the doctor and get an antibiotic. But where did that leave Maxs hot project?
For the second day in a row, she risked arousing her bosss wrath and getting herself fired. But it was worse today than yesterday. Now, she had a taste of what this job would be like. She knew what she would be giving up.
The first ad had been a bit troublesome, but shed begun to feel the power of the computer program by the time shed finished. And the previous night had been incredible.
She loved this job. And despite his perfectionism, she loved Max as a boss. He was so passionate about his work, and his mere presence electrified her. Shed never wanted to please anyone as much as she did him, and that included her ex-husband.
She didnt stop to analyze what that might mean, or exactly how far shed go to make him happy.
Chapter Four
Wow. Ellen Lowenstein, owner and CEO of KidznStuff, smiled in obvious surprise and pleasure as she studied Janes drawings. She and Max sat in the newly furnished conference room, kicking around Maxs ideas for an ad campaign. The carpeting had been laid yesterday afternoon, and the furniture had arrived only this morning.
Carol had literally been hanging the last picture when the potential clients had arrived.
Ellen was in her forties, round and matronly with salt-and-pepper hair and a penchant for dangly earrings. She was cheerful and upbeat, and Max felt he was making a good impression on her.
Unfortunately, also present was the KidznStuff marketing manager, a hard-nosed, nonsmiling man with the unfortunate name of Ogden Purcell. It was hard to know what Ogden was thinking, because his poker face offered up no clues. But Max got a distinct impression the man would not be impressed with flash. He would want hard figures.
I understood today was simply a get-to-know-you meeting, Ellen said. I had no idea you would put in so much work on spec.
Ogden cleared his throat. You do understand, Mr. Remington, that were still considering several agencies.
Yes, of course, Max said smoothly. But my artist was so enthusiastic about the possibility of working on this account, she stayed up all night working on these. She really loves her work.
It shows.
Lets talk about print placement, Ogden said. You said in your original proposal you had some fresh ideas?
Yes, I do. Max whipped out some documents hed prepared for this moment. Ive been researching some smaller publications that are on the rise in terms of circulation. In my opinion, these lesser-known magazines
It shows.
Lets talk about print placement, Ogden said. You said in your original proposal you had some fresh ideas?
Yes, I do. Max whipped out some documents hed prepared for this moment. Ive been researching some smaller publications that are on the rise in terms of circulation. In my opinion, these lesser-known magazines
Max realized hed lost Ellen. Her gaze wasnt on the numbers in front of her, but on something behind Max. Max turned, and his heart sank. A drowsy little girl had just pushed the conference-room door open and toddled into the room.
My goodness, who is this? Ellen asked.
Max wasnt sure if she was pleased or appalled to see a child roaming around the Remington Agency. Thats Kaylee. She has an earache and couldnt go to preschool today, so shes hanging out with us.
Shes the little girl in the ad! Ellen said.
Kaylee stared up at Ellen, apparently fascinated with her bright colors and dangly earrings.
For a moment, Max was paralyzed. Hed never had to deal with a situation like this. But when Kaylee took another step forward, looking like she wanted to climb into his clients lap, instinct drove Max to move. He reached out, snagged Kaylees hand, and drew her toward him instead.
He could pick the girl up and return her to her mother with some strong words about keeping the child out of his hair, as Jane had promised to do. But he hated to break up the rhythm of this meeting any more than it already was.
Instead, he scooped up Kaylee and placed her in his lap. She looked up at him with big, questioning eyes, and Max prayed that she didnt let loose with an earsplitting scream like shed done yesterday afternoon, before her medicine had taken effect and dulled the pain of her earache.
He also hoped she didnt call him mean as shed done two days ago. Having Ellen see him reviled by a little girl wouldnt help with his image.
But either Kaylee was too drowsy on medicine to show much of a reaction, or she had revised her opinion of Max, because after a moment or two she looked away and settled into his lap, shoving her thumb into her mouth.
Anyway, Max said, Ive done some research into the demographics of some smaller circulation magazines He continued the presentation as if nothing was wrong, keeping one arm around Kaylee and using the other to point out the various numbers as he talked about them.
Ogden seemed interested. He asked several intelligent questions about the magazines, and Max answered them with confidence.
Ellen, however, seemed a little bored, and her gaze frequently strayed to Kaylee. Maybe numbers werent her thing. Since she was the ultimate decision-maker, he tried not to get too technical.
She probably thought having a child at their meeting was the height of nonprofessionalism. If Jane and her wayward three-year-old lost him this account, he was not going to be happy.
Finally the meeting concluded, and Kaylee had fallen asleep, drooling slightly on Maxs shirt. Wonderful.
Max stood as his potential clients did, managing to hold Kaylee with one hand and shake hands with the other. Kaylee didnt wake. She was a limp rag doll in his arms.