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“So, company name, logo, taglines, fonts and colour schemes—the elements that identify your brand?”

“I’m not the artist. I’m interested in the values of a company or organisation. Customers buy into those and the emotions you stir. They build loyalty and repeat sales. I want to be able to pick who I work for, based on shared values, and build their brand bigger and better.”

“You’re an idealist.”

“Maybe once upon a time. Now, I’m a pragmatist, and at the moment, I’m an employee who works with the companies and organisations I’m assigned to. With the advent of AI, I need to be agile as well as knowledgeable to remain employable and to find my niche.”

“I meant it as a compliment. A lot of people in the industry know you deliver what you promise. That kind of credibility doesn’t come overnight. It comes from being an outstanding employee whose consistent quality has helped build TBR’s brand. Which makes it even stranger to me that TBR didn’t give you the promotion.”

“My boss hinted that the independent on the panel was vocal and insistent in support of Jackson.”

“Which suggests the in-house staff were split.” He was listening. He was a good listener. “I wonder why?”

“The independent was apparently very persuasive and the second in-house was chosen because she’s from a different section of the organisation.” Bea blew out a breath. “Now, tell me about the fabric you used for Hunter and Anna’s doona, the dyes, the printing method. I suspect I could believe in those business values.”

A buzzer sounded in the kitchen, interrupting their conversation.

“I have to get that.” He pushed to his feet. “Maybe later.”

If that was his dream, why was he keeping it a secret?

CHAPTER FIVE

By Wednesday nightthey had a comfortable rhythm. They’d watched two movies—Die Hardfor Cas, and a bloodless French murder mystery set in Provence with subtitles and luscious scenery for her, and Cas had enjoyed both. When one of them cooked, the other cleaned up. Tonight, Beatriz had cooked.

“Are you off to your cave now?” she asked, lifting her head from a work journal when he ambled into the living room.

“Yeah. I need to do some work.”

“Want me to bring you hot chocolate?” She never complained about being left to entertain herself.

“Better stick to coffee. I need to stay awake.”

“I have that problem when I look at books on property development,” she commiserated.

She had a point. Last night he’d flipped open a book at random. What were the odds?Pitfalls of Property Development. The book Beatriz had shoved at his chest on Saturday.