Chapter 29: The Collaboration Decision
Cassandra’s POV
“I meant my boss, obviously, any problem?” I said quickly, feigning innocence. I whispered a prayer that he’d buy it. How could I have been so stupid? I was overtired and careless.
He nodded quickly. “Well, please let me know as soon as you hear anything,” he said. Apparently, he didn’t take my words seriously.
Phew. I dodged a bullet and managed to circumvent any suspicion.
I told Jordyn I had to go but that I’d check back in with Stanley later. I went straight to the studio and sat down in Stella’s office.
“How’s Stanley?” she asked. I sighed deeply.
“He’s recovering,” I told her. “But I don’t know, Stell. It’s strange. He was perfectly healthy and then bam, he just developed this heart condition. The doctor’s looking into it. Running more tests. That sort of thing.”
“Well,” she said, resting back in her chair. “I’m glad to hear he’s doing okay. Hopefully, you’ll have more information soon.”
I nodded.
“And Jordyn?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.
“I saw him just before I came here. He was pressing me for information about the collaboration. I think we need to give him a definitive answer.”
“I agree,” Stella said. “So what are your thoughts?”
“Honestly?” I’d given it a lot of thought, and although Dillon’s company had a lot more to offer us in terms of networks and manpower, their demands were really high. I just didn’t think we were at that scale yet. So in my opinion, Jordyn’s company was actually the better fit for us at this time. Even if it meant I had to work with him. It was the best thing for our company.
I told all of this to Stella. She listened intently. She made a few good points that I hadn’t thought about. If we collaborated with Dillon and fell short of their demands, the door on that opportunity would close and we likely wouldn’t be able to work with them again. However, if we collaborated with Jordyn’s company now, perhaps we could pursue something with Dillon’s company in the future, when we were better equipped to do so.
“Looks like we’re on the same page then,” Stella smiled. “So it’s settled? We collaborate with Jordyn’s company?”
“Yup!” I replied. “I’ll send Dillon an email and ask to meet with him. I think it’s best if I tell him in person why we can’t move forward with his offer at this time.”
“Right,” Stella said, narrowing her eyes. “Yes, you should meet in person. To explain it, of course.”
I rolled my eyes. She was insinuating there were alternate reasons I wanted to meet with Dillon.
Were there?
My mind flashed back to our dinner last night. It was supposed to be a business dinner, but it hadn’t felt anything like it. It had been casual, easy, relaxing. I had really been enjoying myself, until Jordyn interrupted us of course.
Dillon had been so sweet. He’d driven me to the hospital and then waited outside in the parking lot. I couldn’t help but compare him to Jordyn, at least a little. Dillon was supportive and readily available for me whenever I needed him. Jordyn had been cold
and absent.
But this was ridiculous! Dillon was a family friend. And I wasn’t even divorced yet! I was hardly in the position to be having these types of thoughts about another man, let alone my brother’s best friend!
“You’ll reach out to Jordyn? To arrange our next steps?” I asked, trying to veer the topic away from Dillon and I.
“Of course,” Stella said, studying my face. I felt a faint blush creep onto my cheeks.
“Just remember,” I told her, “Jordyn thinks I’m a personal assistant.”
I’d almost blown it this morning at the hospital. We had to move forward on high alert, until I was ready to reveal my true
identity.
“Eye, eye, Captain,” Stella said with a mock salute.
Just then, there was a light knock on the door. “Sorry to interrupt, but an urgent message just came through. She said it was important that you received it immediately.”
An intern we’d just hired stood at the door, nervously holding a note.
“Come in,” Stella and I said at the same time. She did and passed us the note.
I scanned it.
Ellie.
She was requesting to expedite her engagement gown. She had a list of additional requirements and demanded that we provide the finished product to her within two weeks. I could see the smug smile on her face as she relayed the details.
PS (the note said). Any extra rush fees won’t be a problem. My fiancé is more than happy to cover any additional costs.
Her fiancé. Right.
Jordyn.
I bet he’d be just ‘thrilled’ with all the extra costs. This engagement dress was going to cost a small fortune.
But hey…it wasn’t my circus, right?
I relayed the details to Stella.
“Damn, this client is one tough cookie. I’m happy you’re on this order. I don’t think anyone else could fulfill it.”
“Yeah,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Well, I best get to it.”
I left Stella’s office, fired off an email to Dillon, and went straight to the studio. I became entrenched in the dress, so much so that I completely lost track of time.
7
Stella came in to check on me. My eyes burned and my neck was cramped from leaning over the sewing machine. It was silk, a finicky fabric. And I had to ensure the stitches didn’t show. It was a long, arduous process.
“What time is it?” I asked, feeling a bit disoriented.
“It’s late,” Stella smiled, coming towards me. “You’ve been locked away in here all day.”
Was it already evening? Wow, I really had lost track of time.
I leaned back in my seat and rubbed the back of my neck. Stella eyed the dress, or at least, what I had finished of it so far.
“Holy shit,” she mused. “Cass, that’s…it’s exquisite.”
“You think so?” I asked. Truthfully, I was really proud of it. But it was nice to hear Stella’s praise.
“Absolutely,” Stella beamed. “The client will be thrilled. How could she not be? You know, sometimes I forget how truly talented you are.”
213
She gave my shoulder a light squeeze.
“Thanks,” I said. “I still have a long way to go, but it’s getting there.”
“Well, don’t work too late. I’m off for the night. I just wanted to let you I heard back from Jordyn. We’ve arranged to meet in three days to sign the contract.”
I nodded.
I knew that collaborating with Jordyn was the right thing for the growth of our company. But even so…
The mention of his name caused a small knot to form in my stomach.
Could I really do this? Could I work with Jordyn in a strictly professional way? Could I keep my personal feelings at bay?
Of course you can, I told myself. You’re a professional.
But my inner voice sounded a hell of lot more confident than I felt.
