The Build Up (14)

I turned the TV to the home improvement network just as Bob Vila was fixing the porch of an eighteenth-century New England colonial. He was bent over in his overalls looking at an original wood-burning stove, explaining the gorgeousness of the patina of the copper.

Now this was sexy.



Chapter Six


Porter


In the weeks leading up to our first major presentation to the partners, Ari and I had been busting our ass. I didn’t think I’d like working with someone, but I really did. It was nice to just pop over to her office to run an idea by her or talk over ideas at lunch. Lunch was my favorite part. In these weeks, we’d tried everything from tacos al pastor at Krog Market to slap-your-mama, finger-licking ribs at Sweet Auburn Barbeque. Besides being smart and talented, Ari was easy to talk to and funny as hell. I hadn’t laughed that hard with anyone in the office in forever.

Ari and I worked late into the evenings, tweaking, and going over renderings for our end-of-the-week meeting with the partners and senior staff. We ordered takeout and debated the merits of one idea over another. In the end, her ideas were always better. These late nights, long lunches, and laughter was making it really difficult for me not to break my rule. I really wanted to ask her out on a real date.

When our workday was over, the temptation to ask her to happy hour or something was overwhelming. I just wanted to spend more time with her. Despite me feeling like our meeting was kismet, or fate, or something divine, I couldn’t bring myself to do anything to jeopardize things. We had a stadium to build. I had a partnership to secure. I didn’t date coworkers, I had to stick to that rule. Most of all, I wasn’t trying to be another Greer by getting in her pants and running her off. (Even if those pants were on some thick, sexy thighs.) We worked great together. Why risk it?

Yet, Ari was all I could think about when I got home after work. I memorized the cadence of her laughter and played it on a mental loop. The thought of her delicate perfume drove me crazy. I would stand close to her so I could torture myself with her smell. I’d practice which way to position myself to feel the heat radiating from her body. Each time she leaned over the desk or reached for a pencil, I’d feel regret that her hand never grazed mine. It was a vicious cycle that repeated day after day. The good Catholic boy in me felt so guilty. Lusting like this wasn’t healthy. What was I doing? And why did I just not give a fuck?

Our meeting to present our designs before Riddle, Robinson, and the senior associates was Friday afternoon in the large boardroom. Ari was nervous. She paced in my office so much that I was dizzy watching her. After we finished going over concepts, she paced more in her office, which now she had decorated with photographs of her parents, prints by Kara Walker, and a shit-ton of plants. She also made it a point to have copies of her diplomas and professional memberships on the wall just in case “dicks like Greer wanted to step to her crazy.” I totally respected that. It was something I, as a man, took for granted.

“What if they hate this?” asked Ari, as she paced. I was worried she was going to put a hole in the carpet and that would piss off Ms. Gayle because we just replaced it. Gently, I put my hands on her shoulders and stood in front of her. I prayed I wasn’t being too forward but calming her down was important. As I looked into her eyes, I felt her shoulders relax and a smile slowly formed at the corner of her lips.

“Ari, breathe. Things are going to go well. This is just our first run. They’ll give feedback. No one will outright say they hate it...except maybe Greer. Because he hates everyone’s work except his own.”

Ari chuckled as she twirled her necklace around her neck. I hadn’t noticed how she did this too when she was nervous. Another quirk to add to the list. I liked quirky.

Ms. Gayle knocked on the door of Ari’s office.

“They’re ready for you two.” She gave us a thumbs-up.

I grabbed the jump drive, and we both walked down the hall to the larger boardroom.

Riddle and Robinson sat near the head of the table. Taking notes on her iPad was a representative for the Serrano brothers. Mr. Riddle gave us a slight smile while, naturally, Mr. Robinson gave us no expression at all. Greer sat to the left of Mr. Robinson like his little pet. As I looked around, I realized I’d never noticed how much of a guys’ club this was. I’m sure this wasn’t exactly the warmest environment for Ari, but I watched as she stood there, her back erect, handing out notes to the associates and partners, ready to get the entire presentation started. She was confident, way more than I had ever been for any presentation. I admired that a ton. I nodded to Ari, and we proceeded.

Our design was amazing. It called for a retractable roof with a walkable green space in the nosebleeds for fans which doubled as a fully functional garden to grow herbs and vegetables for the restaurant concepts. There was an amazing beer and wine bar that overlooked the home team locker rooms. All the club level seats would recline, making room for the massive fan clubs that soccer attracted. It was literally the best of European and American styles. Above all else, it would be LEED certified as well, something the Serranos would appreciate. After our presentation, we got a few applauses, with Greer not reacting at all.

Finally, we opened the floor for questions. Naturally, Greer was first.

“Well, I found the style a bit...hectic,” said Greer.

“Is there a question in that?” asked Ari. Damn, she came out the gate hitting dude in the balls. I smirked.