Page 24 of The Christmas Trap

Brody ignores his question. “I needMs. Monroeto sit in on a conference call.”

That’s rude. But Kingly doesn’t seem to notice. “Certainly. Don't let me keep you.” He steps aside, and when I rise to my feet, half bows to me. “Good to meet you,Lark.”

I frown. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he called me Lark to rile up my boss. His next words confirm it to me.

Kingly flashes me a flirtatious smile. “Your presence promises to liven up the proceedings of this otherwise boring office.”

Next to me, my boss bristles. With a half-smile at Kingly, so as not to ignite my boss’s ire further, I follow him into his office.

“Sit.” He gestures to one of the chairs at the conference table. Then takes his seat on the opposite side. “Kingly’s a player. You should keep your distance from him.” His jaw twitches.

I frown. “I barely spoke to him. Besides, if anyone was flirting, it was him, not me.”

He clenches his jaw. A muscle throbs at his cheekbone. He glares at me for a few seconds, then jerks his chin. “The upcoming video conference is with our Tokyo office. They want to discuss an expansion which will put us amongst the top ten companies in Asia.”

The screen on the wall signals an incoming call. He answers it. Over the next half an hour, I listen in as he listens to the proposal, analyzes the projections, and asks questions.

By the time the call is over, my head is whirling with excitement at the scope of the company’s business affairs, admiration for how insightful his questions were, and how clear his thinking was.

Now, he turns to me. “What do you think?”

I tamp down the panic that evokes. He’s asking for my opinion.It’s an opportunity to make an impression on my boss.

I gather my thoughts. “Their projections are aggressive. But your questions cut straight to the risks they didn’t address. Especially around local regulatory hurdles and talent acquisition. If we move forward, we’ll need a strategic partner on the ground.”

He studies me, one brow raised. “Anything else?”

I hesitate, then add. “It’s bold. And exactly the kind of move thatcould make us industry leaders. But if we’re willing to invest in more than capital. It’ll need vision. And leadership. Which you proved you have.”

His mouth curves. “I wantyouto be in charge of the project.”

“Me?” I widen my gaze. “You want to put a project potentially worth a billion dollars into the hands of a new, as yet untried, and basically unknown employee?”

8

Lark

“Does that bother you?” His lips curve in the makings of a smirk.

I realize, he’s testing me.

I did tell him I wanted to be CEO, and now he wants to find out if I can rise to the challenge.

Only itisa billion freakin’ dollars. My stomach ties itself in knots.

I am qualified to lead such a project. I studied for it. And I have experience in leading similar operations. Just not one of such a high value.

On the other hand, there’s always a first time. If I don’t start, I’ll never know if I can do it or not.

I can do this. I can.

I take a few deep breaths and regain my composure. “It is the kind of scope that I’d expect a Davenport-related project to have.”

“Good.” He rises to his feet and heads back to his desk, where he begins to scroll throughhis phone.

“Uh, there is one more thing.” I dawdle by his desk.

He grunts without looking up from his phone.