Uncontrolled Spin: The Power and Danger of Spin ("Un"missable Series Book 1) (28 page)

There is a resounding round of applause, and everyone returns to their daily functions with a renewed sense of purpose and resolve. Time passes quickly with all the preparations necessary for the upcoming trip back to Brazil. Wendy checks in with Jessica to see how things are going, especially between her and Sean.

Jess is forced to admit that it isn’t going very well. “Unfortunately, I haven’t seen or spoken to Sean in person since the day you left for San Diego.”

Wendy asks playfully, “Do I need to come back up north to get your competitive juices flowing again?”

Jessica snorts, “That won’t be necessary. My juices are flowing quite well anticipating our trip and the constant interaction we should have in Brazil. But thanks for the offer.”

Wendy reminds her, “If you don’t make your move on Sean, someone else probably will, and there is nothing more demeaning than to regret letting a chance slip by you because you were too indecisive to pursue your own heart’s desires.”

Jessica assures her, “Wendy, I won’t let any more time pass without letting Sean know how I am feeling about him. I swear.”

Wendy doesn’t sound convinced. “Okay, well, I’m going to update Bonnie on this conversation so that she can hold you accountable for the promise you just made.”

Jessica grins. “As you wish, but for the record, I’m going to call Sean after we hang up and remind him he owes me dinner. I have decided on sushi and whether he likes it or not, that is where he will be taking me.”

Wendy chuckles. “Great idea! Just remember, I’ll be checking on you.”

Rolling her eyes, Jess changes the subject and asks, “How is the penthouse? What do you think of it? And how are your clients adjusting to you being a billionaire?”

Wendy laughs. “The penthouse is fabulous, with views that amaze me during every sunrise and sunset. I really haven’t adjusted to being a billionaire, but the clients who have heard are all very pleased for me and seem to be easier about it than I am. I set up a foundation in the name of one of my deceased clients. She was murdered during a domestic violence incident. The organization will help assist domestic violence organizations nationally in cooperation with several other large foundations.”

Jessica replies, “Wow! I’m so pleased to see you expand your influence in the domestic violence arena from counseling victims to helping them on so many other levels. From my perspective, you are a guardian angel for all the victims of domestic abuse.”

“Thank you,” Wendy says, her voice tight, “but it is just my passion to help others in such unfathomable circumstances. Nothing more.”

Jessica shakes her head. “That may be so, but it takes a truly special person to do what you do day in and day out.”

As soon as they hang up the phone, Jessica calls Sean’s office. When Evelyn answers, Jess identifies herself and asks if Sean is available.

Evelyn snickers a little, “Hold on, Ms. Silva, I’ll check and see if he can find a moment to take your call.”

Pushing the hold button, she gets up from her desk, knocks on Sean’s door, and then walks in without waiting for an answer.

Sean looks up at her and says on a sigh, “If you’re not going to wait for a reply, why do you even bother knocking?”

Evelyn shrugs. “I guess I’m just being polite.”

Sean grins and retorts, “Actually, being polite requires you to abide by the etiquette that
follows
a knock, which is waiting for an answer from your boss.”

Evelyn rolls her eyes and says, “Stop being an ass. Ms. Silva is on line one. Shall I tell her you’re busy?”

Without even responding to Evelyn, Sean hastily grabs the phone, presses line one, and says, “Jessica, good to hear from you. How are things going?”

Evelyn stands in Sean’s office doorway with one eyebrow raised and an incredulous smile on her face until he waves his hand, shooing her out the door.

As she turns to go, she says, “Give Ms. Silva my best, would you, Sean?”

Sean cups his hand over the phone, glares at her, and whisper-shouts, “Out! And close the door behind you!”

Evelyn blows him a kiss and quickly closes the door behind her.

Getting back to his phone call, Sean listens as Jessica says, “Things are progressing well with my preparations for Brazil. Need I remind you of our bet regarding Ricardo taking my deal?”

Sean laughs and says, “No, but you didn’t accept the deal, so how did I lose the bet?”

Jessica retorts playfully, “A bet is still a bet, so I believe you owe me dinner soon, and I have decided I would like to get sushi. I hope you like it, but even if you don’t, that’s where we’re going.”

Sean replies, “Are you kidding? I love sushi. I would be honored to pay my bet to you. How about tonight, do you have time?”

She giggles, “If you can wait until about seven, I can make it. I need to get some things finished up here first.”

“Actually, that’s perfect. I’ll pick you up at your office at six forty-five. I know a great place not far from there.”

Jess shrugs. “Okay, that will be great.”

Nate watches from the door of Jessica’s office, initially stopping because she is on the phone, but once he recognizes whom Jessica is speaking to, he can’t help but eavesdrop on the conversation.

When she hangs up the phone, she gives an audible cheer of ‘Yes!’ accompanied by a fist pump. As she turns in her chair, still doing a mini happy dance, she sees Nate standing in the doorway. She tugs down her suit jacket, clears her throat, and asks in her most dignified voice, “How long have you been standing there?”

Nate puts his hands on his hips, grinning, and replies, “Long enough to know your panties are wet with anticipation over your date with Mr. Green, the pompous ass. Girl, you are in so deep. Didn’t I tell you he was exactly the type of guy you swoon over?”

Jessica closes her eyes and says a mini prayer for her salvation. “Oh, must you be so crude? I’m not swooning over Mr. Green.”

Nate laughs. “Oh please, this is me you’re talking to, and I haven’t seen you this excited about any man as long as I’ve known you. You are simply smitten with him, but good for you. You go, girl!”

Jessica smiles sheepishly. “Yeah, well, maybe a little.”

Nate asks, “So when are you going out and where?”

“Tonight and sushi. Sean said he knows a place near here that’s good.”

Nate nods. “I bet he does, and just think of all the possibilities with a guy who likes sushi.” He gives her a slight smile and a wink.

Jessica rolls her eyes. “Ugh! Must you be so crude?” Then she smiles back at him and says, “Yes, it makes a woman’s head spin with possible scenarios.”

Nate giggles as he starts to walk out of Jessica’s office, then stops in midstride and turns back toward her, saying, “Oh, I came in here to tell you my preliminary thoughts on who should go to Brazil to train the new workers. Do you want me to just brief you on these selections and their schedules, or do you want to review them first?”

She motions for Nate to sit down and says, “Let’s just discuss it now, so you can move forward on the strategy. I don’t want to hold you up.”

Nate nods, sits, and explains why he selected each supervisor and the strength each brings to the table. Jessica is pleased with the mix of skills Nate has put together and tells him she agrees with both his reasoning and selections. She makes a few alterations to his rotation schedule, explaining the strengths and weaknesses with the current factory setup, along with how the timing of the scheduled improvements will impact the training flow.

Nate asks about hotels in the area, but Jessica interrupts him, saying, “Oh, I’m so sorry, I forgot to tell you. Bonnie has graciously confirmed with her staff for each of our supervisors to stay at her villa and be spoiled while they are there.”

“Ha!” Nate says, shaking his head and smiling, “Well then, I’ll have to schedule some time for me to be necessary there, and perhaps Phillip will be able to join me.”

Jess replies, indignant, “Absolutely not! I need you on the ground here, running things while I’m out of the country.” She watches Nate’s face fall and then bursts into laughter. “Don’t worry. I already booked a two-week vacation stint just for you and Phillip at the villa when the transition is completed. All expenses are on me, and you’ll also have one thousand dollars of spending money to enjoy Brazil.”

Nate’s mouth falls open and he says, “Girl, this is why I absolutely adore you and will never work for anyone but you.”

“You’re welcome,” she replies with a wink. “Now get back to work!”

He looks at his watch and then gives her a once-over. “Are you wearing that out to dinner tonight?”

Jessica looks down at herself and says, “Yes. What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

Nate replies, “Well nothing, darling, if you were going to a business dinner. But you aren’t. You’re going on a date. So come with me right now. I have an idea.”

She glances up at him, almost pouting, then sighs and gets up from her desk to follow Nate into the showroom. He pulls a green silk dress off the rack, then asks her, “What type of underwear are you wearing?”

She takes the dress and, without thinking, replies, “A thong.” Then realization dawns on her, and she glares at him, “
Not
that it’s any of your business.”

Nate just keeps going with the conversation. “Oh, thank God, you didn’t do granny panties. Go try that on.”

She sticks her tongue out at him as she disappears into the dressing room. When she steps out, Nate gives her his evaluation by saying, “That is absolutely gorgeous on you, and Sean’s going to have a bitch of a time hiding the boner he pops when he sees you in it.”

Jess steps around Nate to look in the full-length mirror. “Really this is a bit much for sushi, don’t you think?”

“Nope, I don’t,” Nate responds bluntly.

She looks at the dress, sizing it up. It’s slit up the middle to mid-thigh level. Remembering what Sean told her about his preferences about women’s clothing in Brazil, she simply smiles to herself. The dress also has a V-cut front that exposes just the right amount of cleavage to be suggestive, but not slutty, and again she smiles.

Nate, watching her expression, says quietly, “That’s just perfect for tonight. You’re going to knock his socks off. You look fabulous.” She beams at him in the mirror, and he smiles and says, “There, I’ve done my job. The rest of the evening is totally up to you.”

“You always think of everything for me,” she says, smoothing the front of the dress. “Thank you.”

Nate smiles and replies, “Enjoy your date, and I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” He turns and starts to exit the showroom, but then turns and adds, “And
try
to enjoy tonight as a date, not a business meeting. Flirt, tease, and above all make sure you kiss him goodnight. You need to know from the get-go if there is a spark between you two.” With that bit of advice, Nate leaves for the day.

Jessica is in her office working when Sean is escorted to her by one of her production supervisors. She immediately rises from her desk and watches as Sean’s eyes survey her body. She walks around her desk toward him, and he manages to get out, “Wow, you look terrific. Is that one of your new designs?”

Jessica thinks,
Damn, Nate was right again! Thank God for that man.
Then she smiles and replies, “Yes, it is. I’m glad you like it.”

Sean looks incredulous. “Like it? I think it is phenomenal.”

She smiles again, a little more shyly this time. “Thank you, Sean. Shall we?”

As he holds the car door open for her, she slides into the car and allows the slit of her dress to fall off the side of her crossed legs, revealing her athletic frame to mid-thigh. Sean tries to be discreet as he closes her door, but after he is seated in the driver’s seat, Jessica catches him sneaking a peek at her leg while putting the key into the ignition. During his brief lapse in concentration, Sean misses the ignition and drops the keys onto the floor board. Jessica quickly looks out her window to hide her grin at the idea that what she is wearing is unnerving this particular man.

Sean regains his composure by starting the car and saying, “We will be there in ten minutes or so.”

“Great! I’m starving. What about you?”

Sean says, in a husky voice, “You have no idea.”

When they arrive, the valet takes Sean’s keys and says, “Good evening, Mr. Green. Table for two?”

, “Yes, thank you. And can we make it a special table tonight?”

The valet nods with a grin, and as Sean walks over to help Jessica out of the car, the valet relays the message to the hostess. Jess swivels in the seat and takes Sean’s hand as she gets out of the car. Once again, Sean is extremely pleased with the dress, admiring the V-cut that leaves just enough up to his imagination.

The hostess takes them to a secluded table overlooking the San Francisco Bay, then asks, “Is this sufficient, Mr. Green?”

Sean looks at Jessica for approval, and she says a little breathlessly, “This is wonderful.”

Sean nods to the hostess, who then asks Jessica, “What would you like to drink, ma’am?”

“Hot sake, please.” Sean orders his usual scotch on the rocks.

Jessica can’t help herself and asks, “How much do you pay by the drink for your scotch, if you don’t mind me asking? I’m not trying to be rude, I’m just curious.”

Sean shrugs. “Oh, don’t worry about it. It’s one hundred dollars a drink.”

Jessica’s mouth drops open, and she exclaims, “Holy crap! I would never pay that.”

Sean chuckles at her reaction and replies, “Then you obviously don’t appreciate fine scotch.”

“Not at a hundred bucks a drink I don’t,” she says with a grin.

When their drinks arrive, Sean hands Jessica his scotch. “Here, you must experience what truly fine scotch tastes like, before you ruin your palate with the sake.”

She looks doubtful, but takes a tentative sip of the scotch. She swallows, looks at Sean, and after a moment says, “Okay, that is amazing, but I still wouldn’t drink it on a regular basis.”

Sean laughs, saying, “Well, it’s one of the few luxuries I allow myself.”

Jessica snorts, “Now that’s bullshit. I’ve flown in your jet, and you said the same thing about that.”