Page 135 of It's Not PMS, It's You

“I’ve done the research and—”

“I doubt any of us are willing to take such a huge risk with the future of the company.”

Gary cleared his throat. “Okay, looks like this needs a little more research.”

I held up my index finger. “But I really think—”

“It’s okay, Ruth. Let’s revisit this again soon.”

My blood pressure was shooting through the roof.

Mason blindsided me.

He probably had it planned the entire time.

What a bastard.

I grabbed my files and sat down, dejected.

This outcome wasn’t what I expected.

I had worked hard on this for almost ten hours. I still believed it was the right thing to do. I had worked out all the numbers and was sure my plan was perfect for the company.

For the next hour, other partners presented their ideas, but I had no idea what they were. I had blocked them all out and had been replaying what happened with Mason over and over again in my mind, coming up with things I should’ve said to shut him up.

After the meeting, I pulled Gary to the side.

“Mason was right,” he said before I could say a word. “Your idea wasn’t bad, but it’s also not worth the risk. We have a proven method that works for companies that are in trouble, like Mathors Aerospace. Anyway, make it happen, and you can come up with another revenue stream idea this week. There’s still time.”

I stared at Gary, confused. “What do you meanmake ithappen?”

“I mean, talk with the CEO of Mathors Aerospace and look into us acquiring them.”

“I’m not going to do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because that’s not what my idea was about.”

Gary walked over to the door and closed it, the two of us the only ones left in the conference room. “I don’t understand what the problem is.”

I decided to tell him the truth. Surely, Gary would understand.

“I know someone who works at Mathors Aerospace.”

He nodded. “Your boyfriend?”

Gary kept calling him my boyfriend, but I wasn’t going to correct him. “No. His cousin.”

“And?”

“Andif we acquire Mathors Aerospace he’s going to probably lose his job. His department would most likely be the first to go.”

Gary crossed his arms. “And?”

I sighed. “Gary. Iknowhim. I can’t do that to him.”

“Your first mistake was making this personal, because it’s not. It’s business. If he’s talented he’ll bounce back, no problem. He’ll find another job and thank you in the end.”