It's All a Matter of Choice Read online

  Mr. Allen arched an eyebrow at him. This was true. He was the only associate Grimes would deal with, and Emmet knew it. That put him in a position of power as far as this contract went. Maybe he had underestimated the associate. Well he’d soon find out.

  Mr. Allen walked around his desk, picked up a folder and offered it to Emmet, who took it and opened it.

  “That’s your itinerary, round trip plane tickets and standard B, B & B literature. You have one layover before you arrive at Richmond International Airport. Mr. Grimes’ driver will pick you up and take you to meet him,” Mr. Allen said.

  “Richmond, Virginia?” Emmet said, sounding a bit perplexed. He imagined a man as important as Jonathan Grimes would like to meet in an office setting. He looked thoughtful. The country. Now that was interesting.

  “Yes, go figure,” Mr. Allen said, sitting down at his desk and looking at Emmet. The associate had done exactly what he said he would do. It was a vast improvement. He wouldn’t be surprised if Emmet got some action if he kept this look up. “But I don’t care if he’s buried six feet deep in corn stalks, Emmet, you close that deal! I’m taking a big chance on you…don’t fail me.”

  Emmet looked at his boss of six years and couldn’t help thinking it wasn’t him taking a chance, but Mr. Grimes. Leave it to him to try and claim credit for something he had nothing to do with. The truth was Mr. Allen never had in faith in him to close. Ever.

  “I won’t fail, sir,” Emmet said, purposely not adding the “you.”

  If Mr. Allen caught the omission, he said nothing but, “Good luck then,” and dismissed the associate. He had no idea what Emmet would face when he went to Virginia. Brandon did a good job of talking a lot but telling him nothing but Mr. Grimes wanted Emmet. Brandon didn’t want Emmet to get any kind of heads up. Maybe he would insult Mr. Grimes by thinking him a farm hand too and blow the deal before he even started talking.

  Emmet exited the office and looked up at the clock. It was three minutes to twelve. He glanced over at Anita, aware of all the eyes on him. He drew in a breath and walked over to her desk. Anita pretended to be working.

  “Ah, Anita?” Emmet said, Melissa and the rest of the workers staring a hole in his back, “Are you ready to go to lunch?”

  Anita looked up and gave him a bright smile, then looked at the clock.

  ”Well, I believe I am, Emmet,” she said, rising and taking his arm. They had lunch together every day now…Emmet insisting on paying for hers since she was supposed to be saving every penny for an apartment.

  She took Emmet’s arm and he reddened slightly, leading her towards the elevator. Anita leaned back and waggled her eyebrows at her co-workers as she walked away with the new, improved and rather hot Emmet. They watched her go.

  “She planned to fix him up all along,” Jennifer said, shaking her head after the smiling brunette.

  “I bet that’s not all she plans,” Susan said, picking up her purse from under her desk, opening and taking out her compact. She wanted to make sure she looked perfect when she had her “talk” with Mr. Allen over lunch.

  “I’ve seen worse guys,” Jennifer said, “Plus he’s a real gentleman. We all know that. I think Anita’s biggest problem is going to be making him less of a gentleman.”

  ”He probably doesn’t even know where his cock’s supposed to go,” Susan said, standing up and slinging her bag over her shoulder.”

  Jennifer arched an eyebrow at her.

  “Trust me. All men know that. It’s ingrained in their DNA,” she replied. “Emmet might fumble, but I’m sure he can get there.”

  All the girls with the exception of Susan laughed. Susan simply tossed her hair and headed for Mr. Allen’s office, putting on her “extra sexy” walk. She knocked on his door and entered.

  “Sometimes I’m tempted to call Mrs. Allen and tell her that her husband invited her to lunch in his office at twelve-twenty,” Jennifer said. “She’d toss both his and Susan’s salad. Have you ever seen her? Big woman.”

  The girls all rose together and headed for the elevator. They were going to have lunch in the cafeteria. Not one of them said it as they waited to descend to the lower level where lunch was served, but it seemed Anita had rather pulled a coup. Emmet had been in their midst for years and not one of them saw past his pocket protector. And this new girl comes along and sees his potential immediately. True, Jennifer eventually noticed Emmet’s positive points but only after Anita began to show an interest in him.

  The redhead looked thoughtful for a moment and a little half smile crossed her face.

  Anita wasn’t the only woman at B, B & B. Jennifer had known Emmet for years.

  So, technically…she had seniority.

  It was just a stray thought…but still a thought.

  Nice guys were really hard to find after all.

  Chapter 14 ~ Emmet has Two Interesting Confrontations

  Emmet and Anita were enjoying their lunch when Jeffrey Lyons and a couple of other associates strolled over.

  “Hey there, Emmet. Cut up your ‘geek’ card?” Jeffrey asked him jovially, the other associates snickering. Anita scowled at the handsome co-worker but didn’t say anything as Emmet looked at him evenly.

  “I guess you can say that. I needed a new look. I go to close on the Hobson’s deal Thursday. I need to make a good impression,” Emmet replied.

  Jeffrey’s mouth dropped open.

  “You’re going to try and tackle old Grimes?” Jeffrey asked Emmet, flabbergasted. “Brandon blew out on that deal. Why are they sending you?”

  “Mr. Grimes requested to see me,” Emmet replied.

  The associates all looked at each other. Hobson’s Financial would be the biggest account in B, B & B history, and Emmet Barrows was the one who was going to try to land it? Why did Grimes want him? Was Mr. Allen crazy?

  “Why you?” Jeffrey asked him, the other associates listening closely.

  “I guess he liked what he heard on the phone,” Emmet said, shrugging.

  Jeffrey began calculating. If Emmet did this, he’d be the office’s “Golden Boy.” It made sense to try to get close to him now. He could always be dropped if he failed.

  “Shit. This calls for a celebration, Emmet. Why don’t you come out with us tonight to the Brown Cow, have a couple of drinks…maybe pick up a couple of ladies,” he said, his blue eyes shifting over to Anita for a moment, then back to Emmet.

  “I don’t drink,” Emmet said. He didn’t want to go anywhere with Jeffrey and his cronies.

  “You do ladies, don’t you?” Jeffrey responded.

  Emmet reddened slightly. Anita jumped in for the save, her brown eyes flashing.

  “What do you think?” she said disdainfully, meeting Jeffrey’s eyes.

  Jeffrey’s eyebrows rose as he looked at Anita. Emmet was doing her? Damn. Nerd-boy must have something going on.

  “Oh, sorry. I just thought you two were friends,” he said, his eyes washing over her figure. “Had no idea old Emmet was knocking your boots. Haven’t you just been here a week? Pretty quick little rabbit, aren’t you?”

  Before Anita could reply, Emmet stood up, his face twisted with anger.

  “Don’t talk to her like that,” he said, his brown eyes hard. Inside, his heart was pounding, but he couldn’t let Jeffrey talk to Anita that way. It was disrespectful.

  “Holy shit,” Melissa breathed. The girls were seated a couple of tables away. They couldn’t hear everything that was being said, but it was clear to see Emmet was angry. They had never seen him get mad about anything before.

  “Anita hasn’t done anything wrong. She’s a lady…and you’ll talk to her like one or not at all,” Emmet seethed.

  He took his glasses off and put them on the table.

  Jeffrey held up his hands.

  “Hold on there, Emmet. I didn’t mean anything. I just thought…” the associate began.

  “Well you thought wrong,” Emmet said. “Anita deserves an apology.”

  ”A what?”
Jeffrey said incredulously.

  “An apology,” Emmet said again, his jaw clenched. He had never been in a fight before but he felt like punching Jeffrey in the face. He had never wanted to hit anyone in his life before, but Jeffrey was asking for it. Emmet’s hand curled into a fist.

  “You’d better watch out, Jeffrey,” one of his friends warned, seeing Emmet’s fist.

  Jeffrey’s eyes washed over Emmet. He really seemed ready to fight. He looked at Anita.

  “Sorry,” he said, then turned and walked away, followed by his little crew of associates. Emmet stood there a moment, then put on his glasses and sat back down. He started eating again…not looking at Anita.

  “I can’t believe you did that,” she said to him.

  He looked up at her and gave her a crooked smile. His heart was still pounding.

  “I can’t believe it either,” he said, “I was scared to death.”

  Anita smiled at him.

  “Well, you certainly didn’t look scared. You looked ready to kick his ass…just because of what he said to me. They were only words, Emmet,” Anita said.

  “The wrong words. You don’t talk to a woman like that,” he said. “What kind of man would I have been if I sat here and just let him talk to you that way?”

  Anita studied him.

  “Well, I did sort of imply we were more than friends, Emmet,” she said softly.

  “That makes it worse,” he said, his nostrils flaring slightly. “I wouldn’t let anyone talk to a woman I was involved with that way…”

  Suddenly, Emmet looked up at her, realizing what he was saying.

  ” I mean…not that I’m involved with you or anything Anita…I was just…just…” he began, reddening.

  “You don’t have to explain anything, Emmet…I understand. Really. Let’s just finish lunch, okay?” Anita said.

  Relieved, Emmet nodded and continued eating. As he ate, he wondered what in the world was happening to him. He had never purposely threatened anyone with bodily harm before. He began to think about all the nature shows he watched, and how territorial males became around females. What that happening to him? Was he turning…animal? He could have lost his job if he had punched Jeffrey…but he wasn’t thinking about that. All he was thinking about was how the associate insulted Anita right in front of him…as if…as if he’d just let it go. It was insulting to him as well. Emmet had taken enough crap off people. He wasn’t going to let them pick on Anita because of him as well. He looked up at Anita for a moment and she met his eyes. Quickly, he dropped them again, focusing on his plate.

  Anita watched Emmet through her lashes. He had been about to fight for her, and there wasn’t anything going on between them. He certainly did look handsome. Emmet’s brown eyes shifted up to hers for a moment, then lowered again as he pretended to concentrate on his food. Anita felt a little warmth inside.

  “Emmet,” she said suddenly.

  “Yes?” he responded.

  “Would you like to go out with me to a movie or something Friday night?” she asked him.

  Emmet dropped his fork with a clatter on to the plate. He quickly picked it back up.

  “A…a movie?” he repeated, his voice cracking a bit.

  “Yes. You can pick it. I’ll pay…” she said, trying not to laugh at his reaction.

  “A movie…” Emmet said again as if he were stuck on those two words.

  “Yes, a movie. You do know what a movie is, right? They show it on a big screen and there are lots of people around and you pay ridiculous prices for popcorn and drinks…” Anita said to him, smiling now.

  “Ah yes…a movie. Yes. Yes I’d like to go to a movie,” Emmet said a bit hollowly. Then he added, “But I’m paying. Your apartment…remember?”

  Anita could tell Emmet’s brain had reconnected. It made no sense to argue with him.

  “All right,” she said. “You pick the show, the place and the time.”

  Emmet nodded, feeling a bit disconnected. Anita had asked him out on a date…and he accepted. A date. With a girl. A pretty girl.

  They finished their lunch and once again, Anita took Emmet’s arm and they walked to the elevator. Brandon watched them pass, his eyes taking in Emmet’s clothing. He frowned slightly. It seemed as if the associate was trying to change his image to be more successful. He was a bit pissed at Emmet, because when he came to his cubicle this morning to see what he had to close on, instead of letting Brandon browse through them and pick what he wanted, Emmet selected the interviews himself and gave Brandon what he wanted to give him. And only two.

  “What’s this? Two interviews?” Brandon complained. “These aren’t even top companies.”

  Emmet looked at him.

  “I’m going to try to close the Hobson’s account on Thursday. If I’m successful, more than likely I will be going out on my own closings next week. Most of these interviews are for next week, and I’ve scheduled them so I can get to them all. I saved those two for you, since they are for this week,” Emmet explained, waving the paperwork in his hands.

  Brandon stared at him. Emmet was letting him know that if he pulled off this closing with Mr. Grimes, there’d be no more split bonuses. He was going to do his own work.

  “I see. Thanks,” Brandon said bad-naturedly, stalking off.

  So Brandon had only two interviews lined up for this week, and that was unacceptable. He usually did at least five closings a week. That meant he had to get three more interviews himself. He walked by Herman’s cubicle and took a cursory glance at the big appointment calendar on his wall. He was surprised to see Herman had four interviews this week. Four. That was a big improvement over his usual four a month.

  “Hey Herman,” Brandon said jovially, “Need any help with those interviews this week?”

  Herman, who had been researching companies on the net turned in his chair and looked at Brandon in surprise.

  “Ah, no Brandon. I’ve got it covered. Thanks,” he said, turning back around in his chair and smiling to himself at turning Brandon down.

  Brandon scowled and walked to his own cubicle. He tapped the keyboard, went to Google and typed in “Newly formed companies,” frowning as the search results came up. He really hated this. For now he was on his own.

  *

  The rest of the week went rather quickly…Emmet continuing to impress with his new mode of dress. Wednesday, as he was on his way to Anita’s desk to pick her up for lunch, he found his way blocked by Jennifer, who smiled at him.

  “Hi Emmet,” she said.

  “Er…hello Jennifer,” he responded, looking toward Anita’s desk. Anita was scowling at him. He looked back at Jennifer. “How are you?”

  ”Oh, I’m fine,” she said, “I was wondering if you’d join me for lunch.”

  Emmet’s brows rose as he looked at the redhead.

  “Um, I’m afraid I have a prior engagement,” he said awkwardly. Jennifer asking him to lunch? Wow. Jennifer was quite pretty too. She had a couple of freckles she tried to cover up, but he could still see them. Emmet had nothing against freckles however.

  “Oh. Well, maybe next week then? Monday or Tuesday maybe?” she pressed him.

  “I might be out on interviews. I have several every day next week,” he replied, still feeling awkward.

  “Wow, you’re quite the go-getter, aren’t you Emmet?” she said, impressed. “That’s a lot of bonuses.”

  ”If I manage to close them, I guess,” he responded. Anita had her arms crossed over her chest now, and didn’t look at all pleased he was talking to Jennifer. Jennifer turned and followed his eyes to Anita, who arched an eyebrow at her as if to say, “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Jennifer gave her a little smirk and turned back to Emmet.

  “I see your little ‘prior engagement’ is getting a bit impatient. Let me know when you have a free lunch day. I’d really like to get to know you better. You’ve been here for years and we’ve never talked,” she said smiling at him.

  “Ah…all right,”
Emmet said, not knowing what else to say.

  “Bye Emmet,” she sang as he walked past her.

  “Bye,” he responded. He walked up to Anita’s desk.

  “Are you ready for lunch?” he asked the brunette.

  ”Yes,” Anita said a bit tightly. She rose, but didn’t take his arm. Emmet blinked as she walked ahead of him. He hurried and caught up.

  “Um, are you mad at me, Anita?” he asked her. She looked at him sideways.

  “What did Jennifer want?” she asked him.

  “To have lunch with me, but I told her I had a prior engagement,” he said.

  “And what did she say?” Anita asked him, frowning.

  “She asked me about next week, but I told her I had interviews all week,” Emmet said, feeling as if he should be sitting in an extremely uncomfortable chair with a big hot light turned on him.

  “Then what did she say?” Anita asked him.

  “She asked me to let her know when I’m going to have a free lunch hour. She said she’d like to get to know me better,” he replied.

  “I bet she does,” Anita seethed, slipping her arm into Emmet’s and pulling it against her hard.

  Emmet winced a little but didn’t say anything. He instinctively knew not to. They got on the elevator. Jennifer appeared just as the door was closing. Emmet caught it, and the office worker got on, giving Anita another smirk before she turned around. Anita felt like kicking her in her fat ass.

  The atmosphere was tense in the elevator as it dropped to the cafeteria level. Emmet felt scared to breathe. It seemed to take forever for the doors to open. Jennifer exited first, then Emmet and Anita, Anita’s eyes fixed on her competition. There was no way Jennifer was going to get her claws into Emmet.

  They got on the lunch line and Emmet paid for their meals. They sat down and Anita looked at him as he spread his napkin on his lap, and her eyes softened. She shouldn’t be mad at Emmet because of Jennifer. The poor guy probably had no idea what was going on here. That Jennifer was trying to beat her time.

  “I’m sorry, Emmet,” Anita said. Emmet looked up at her.

  “For what?” he asked, his brown eyes searching her face

  “Being jealous about Jennifer asking you to lunch,” she said.