The Pitch: City Love 2 (29 page)

Greg grinned boyishly. “It’s got more to do with the fact that I can’t sit still.”

“Anyway, I’ve been cautiously open to the idea, but only if the right opportunity materializes,” Paul said. He turned toward me, his cool, blue eyes locking onto mine. “We believe Grounded Marketing is that opportunity.”

“You’re proposing a merger?” I stared at Paul, open-mouthed.

“Yes.”

“Between NTRtain and Grounded Marketing?”

“Yes.”

My eyes widened involuntarily. A million thoughts raced through my brain, but it was hard to pin any of them down because the overriding emotion was rage. “And you thought
now
would be a good time to pitch this proposal to me?”

“Yes.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.” I jumped up from my seat with such force the chair rolled back with a soft thump into the window. “Get out.”

“Madeleine – ”

“
Get out!”

The three of them stopped and stared at me with a mixture of surprise and wariness. Okay. So my reaction might have strayed from Control Freak Madeleine and into crazy pregnant lady territory, but I couldn’t believe Paul. How could he? He’d never mentioned the idea of a merger – not once – during our entire relationship. How could he possibly fathom that it was even a remotely good idea
now?

I pointed toward the door. “This meeting is over.”

“No, it’s not,” he said calmly.

My rage pushed up a notch into fury. “Then I’m leaving.” I started toward the door.

“That’s your response to everything, is it?”

I whirled on him. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know exactly what it means.”

I glanced quickly at Christa and Greg. They were both studying the boardroom table with impressive concentration in an attempt to pretend they weren’t in the room.

Paul took advantage of my silence. “It’s the perfect time for a merger, Madeleine. NTRtain can offer extra resources. What’s more, our loyal clients respect us. That means they’ll respect any proposal we put forward about utilizing Grounded Marketing’s services, and give it due consideration.”

I wanted to kill him. To strangle him with my bare hands. He knew a proposal of this nature would have me frothing at the mouth. He was talking about handing us hot sales leads and letting Grounded Marketing tap into his client base. It was every business owner’s dream.

“Why now? Why not last year when we first met?” I demanded.

“Six months ago Grounded Marketing was still a question mark in our minds. Since then the business has proved itself.”

Realization flooded my body and I could feel my hands shaking. “That was why you agreed to mentor me, isn’t it?” I whispered.

“Yes,” he admitted carefully. “It was part of it.”

I inhaled sharply. How could I not have seen it? I already knew Paul’s cool, calm exterior covered an exceptionally astute business mind, but it was easy to dismiss that aspect of him due to his relaxed nature. I thought back to our very first meeting. His watchful approach and clever observations.

“And ACB was the proof you required,” I stated numbly.

“No,” he corrected. “I wanted to mentor you to see if we could work together. We needed to establish that before we made a serious offer. ACB merely expedited things, that’s all.”

The words hung in the air between us until Greg cleared his throat. “I’d like to outline how the proposed merger could work, if you’d like to sit back down?”

I stared at the two of them like a deer caught in the headlights. A quick look in Christa’s direction and I could see her silently begging me to do as he’d suggested. With a short sigh, I went to retrieve my chair, which was still positioned near the window. At least if I heard them out, then I could tell them in no uncertain terms the answer was no. Once I was seated, Greg smiled reassuringly.

“NTRtain’s premises could easily absorb Grounded Marketing’s twenty-five staff,” he began. “We’d set you up as your own division, of which you’d retain leadership, Madeleine. We’d welcome you as a partner into the business.”

“Surely that’s a big risk?” I interrupted. “You’ve been partners for a decade.”

“No risk, no reward. In this market, clients are more likely to choose us if we can provide a full service offering,” Greg stated.

It made sense, but I still had my doubts. “Grounded Marketing is focused on environmental brands and sustainability. Surely it’s too niche for you?”

Greg nodded. “That’s the catch. We’d need you to take on mainstream clients.”

“Then why not go for a mainstream agency?”

“Because none of them do business like you,” Paul said softly. “We believe it would be easier for you to adapt than for us to merge with an agency that doesn’t have the operating strengths of Grounded Marketing.”

“But my agency is called
Grounded
Marketing. Surely it goes against my brand to move mainstream?”

Greg shook his head. “We don’t believe so. From what we’ve seen, Grounded Marketing could easily refer to the way you deal with your clients. You’re down-to-earth, practical and results-driven. That’s a far cry from most of the creative agencies in town.”

It was true, but I figured my best tactic at this point was to keep silent and let them do the talking.

“Of course you could continue to pursue environmental brands or sustainable projects, we just ask that it not be done exclusively, that’s all,” Greg said.

“It’s possible,” I allowed.

“Good. We’d also like you to consider something else,” Greg continued. “This guy over here has been a huge pain in the ass for a few years now. He’s underutilized at NTRtain currently. As you know, his strength is pitching.”

I nodded, not willing to look at Paul even though I could feel the heat of his gaze on me.

“That’s why we’d like to suggest he work in the Grounded Marketing division as Head of Sales moving forward.”

I swallowed, but didn’t say anything. Greg knew he was treading on thin ice, so he rushed on.

“We believe it’s only a part-time role, ideally two to three days a week. I pretty much run NTRtain on my own these days and Paul’s happy to leave me to it. I’ll occasionally utilize him for NTRtain pitching, which isn’t very often because we have such a loyal client base. Plus our fortnightly management meetings.” Greg cleared his throat and glanced at Paul quickly before turning back to me. “So that would leave him more time for family pursuits.”

“Family pursuits?” I asked slowly.

Greg cleared his throat again, a red flush working up his neck. “Yes. I believe he’s going to be a father again.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Is that so? I thought he was too old for that.”

Greg looked desperately between me and Paul, not sure what to say.

Paul sighed. “Thanks, mate. Would you mind giving us a moment? Christa?”

The two of them stood quickly and were out the door before I could think to ask them to stay, closing it firmly behind them.

Paul studied me. “Do I need to lock you in here so you’ll listen to me?”

“No.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “My mother is probably still out there.”

“Probably.” He stood up from his chair and came around to my side of the table, then sat down next to me. “What do you think about the idea of the merger?”

“Interesting. I’m just trying to decide why you’re doing it.”

“Why I’m doing it? First of all, it makes good business sense for NTRtain and Grounded Marketing. The added bonus is that it means we can both have what we want.”

“And what’s that?”

“You get to keep your business running while you concentrate on being a mother for a while.”

“And what about you?”

“I get you.”

I closed my eyes.
Wrong answer.
When I opened them again he was shaking his head at me, laughing softly.

“What?” I demanded.

“If you’d let me finish, I was going to tell you what I’ve been trying to say for the last week and a half.” He took a deep breath, then spoke. “No. I didn’t want to be a father again – ”

He grabbed my hand to stop me from jumping up. “
But
,” he continued, “I’m old enough to understand that life doesn’t always work out the way you expect. If someone had told me when I was in my twenties, strumming my guitar in pubs all around Sydney, that one day I’d be running one of Sydney’s biggest media agencies, I would have laughed for days. But here I am.”

Confident I wasn’t about to bolt from the room, he loosened his grip on my hand, but didn’t let go. “I also didn’t expect to be divorced with two children in my thirties, only getting to see my boys every second weekend,” he said quietly. “But here I am.”

He took another deep breath. “And I never for a moment expected to fall in love with the goddess of my dreams at the age of forty-four, and for her to do the same. But here I am. So if you think I’m going to let you walk out of my life because things didn’t go to plan, then you’re mistaken. And if you think pushing me away because you’re terrified beyond belief is going to work, you’ve got another thing coming.”

I tried to pull my hand away, but he reached over with his other hand and squeezed my arm.

“I can’t hear this!” I fought to shake free from his grasp, but he wouldn’t let go.

“Yes, you can. You also need to hear that sometimes life throws us a second chance when we least expect it. I thought that second chance was you, Madeleine. Now I understand it’s also her.”

“What?” I whispered. I was dangerously close to tears.

His lips curved into a small smile. “I’ve been told it’s a her, anyway. Ava? Can you imagine? A daughter?”

And there in his voice, I heard it. The wonder, mixed with joy.

I choked back a sob. “Don’t – ”

“Don’t what? Tell you that I’m terrified of being an old dad, but now that I’ve had some time to get used to the idea, I’m excited? And you know why? Because this time I’m in a position to be a father.” He let go of my arm and took my other hand in his. “You know what’s struck me the most these last few weeks while the boys have been staying with me? I missed out. And I can never get that back. It’s a regret I’ll carry with me for the rest of my days.

“With Ava, I can be there for her. I’m financially stable. And better yet, I have a wife who is passionate about her career, so I can stay home and be a house husband while she’s at work.”

It took me a moment to get past the house husband part, but when I did, I realized what he’d just said. “Wife?”

“Yes. That’s the other part of this proposal.”

He let go of my hands. I watched as he reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.

I started shaking my head.

Paul’s eyes flared with that flash of irreverence I’d first been drawn to and he grinned. “You should know, when I pitch, I don’t do things by half.”

“Paul – ”

“Shut up, Madeleine.” He opened the box to reveal a single diamond of alarming proportions. “Will you marry me?”

“I …” I was speechless.

“I was going to ask you that night at the pub, but then you ruined everything.”

“You were?”

He nodded. “I knew as soon as you gave me that guitar.”

“Oh.” I closed my eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

“For what?” There was an edge of impatience in his voice, the only hint there was something going on beneath the surface. “Is that your answer?”

My eyes flew open. “No! I mean, yes! I mean …
shit.
”

“Is that your
final
answer?”

I burst out laughing. “Oh God, Paul. I mean
yes
. And I’m sorry for pushing you away. I just thought – ”

“You thought I didn’t want this baby and that you could do it on your own,” he finished.

“Yes,” I whispered.

He reached over and gently lifted my chin with his finger. “I’ve got news for you, Madeleine. You’re not on your own.” He glanced down at my stomach. “You never will be again. So you need to learn to get hold of these control freak tendencies.”

“I know.”

“And
talk
to me. You don’t have to take on the world by yourself. I know you’re probably capable of it, but I’ve learned the journey is more fun with other people along for the ride.”

“Okay.”

“Oh, and if you ever pull another stunt like this one again, I’ll divorce you. After I’ve married you first, of course.”

I didn’t miss the humor in his eyes, and I smiled weakly. “You must have thought I was the biggest idiot.”

“The thought did cross my mind. As well as breaking into your house and physically restraining you until you listened to sense. Fortunately you have sensible friends and a very supportive mother.”

I flushed. “I know. I do.”

“Speaking of I do, does that mean I can put the ring on your finger?”

“Yes.”

He extracted the ring from the box and I was genuinely surprised when it didn’t drop from his hands under the weight of the stone. That rock was huge. He reached over and slipped it onto my finger. It fit perfectly and it didn’t look too big either. Less obvious and more a statement piece, was how I decided to think of it.

“Madeleine?”

“Mmm?” I stopped staring at the ring and met his eyes.

They twinkled at me, like the diamond. “You have been, without a doubt, the hardest pitch I’ve ever done in my entire life.”

I gave him a smug look. “I’m going to take that as a compliment. And let it be known I’m agreeing to your marriage proposal, not the merger proposal. I need time to think about that.”

“I wouldn’t have expected anything less.”

My self-satisfied smile was wiped off my face a moment later when his lips found mine.

“Now, as you know, I don’t really do baby showers.”

It was two months later and I was standing beside Paul in his courtyard, overlooking the group of family, friends, and work colleagues crowded around us.

“That’s a shame,” Christa called out, “because you’re about to have a baby!”

A ripple of laughter echoed across the courtyard, which was bathed in the glow of moonlight and the twinkle of fairy lights. “I am aware of that. Thank you, Christa. Despite this fact, Paul and I would like to thank you all for attending our engagement party, slash, baby shower, slash, Grounded Marketing merging with NTRtain Media party.”

Loud cheers rang out and everyone raised their glasses. Paul pulled me in close, until my stomach pushed into his side. To my continued awe, wonder, and at times horror, at five months pregnant I was now the proud owner of a definite pot belly. He glanced down with a sly grin. I elbowed him in the side.

“When’s the wedding?” Cate asked loudly, when the cheering had died down.

“Yes, Madeleine,” my mother chimed in, “when
is
the wedding?”

Between the two of them, they’d been at me for weeks to set a date. Their not-too-subtle reminders that I wasn’t getting any smaller were annoyingly frequent.

Paul waved a hand in the air indicating everyone should quiet down. “That’s another reason we asked you here tonight,” he announced. “It’s more of a wedding celebration than an engagement party.”

“
What?”
I was fairly certain the chorus of screams came from a combination of my mother, Cate, and Christa. I noticed Scarlett smirking into her beer.

“That’s right,” I said. “We’re already married!” I held up my left hand to show everyone the solid white gold band, which now accompanied my engagement ring.

Some of the men came forward to pat Paul on the back while I was engulfed by a steady stream of teary looking women.

“What about a wedding?” my mother asked desperately when she reached me.

“Mother, Paul’s already been married once,” I told her quietly. “We didn’t want to make a fuss.”

“Didn’t want to make a
fuss!
” Her usual cool reserve was shattered. “Of course it’s the sort of thing you make a fuss about!”

I gestured to my stomach. “I’m not exactly suited to wearing a white wedding dress either.”

“Oh,
pfft!
” my mother spat. “Nonsense. I was three months pregnant with your brother, wasn’t I, Will?”

My father, who was standing quietly behind her, had the grace to look embarrassed. “Congratulations, honey.” He reached in and gave me a short, firm hug then extracted himself and returned to the noticeably male dominated section of the courtyard.

My mother turned to Christa, who was waiting nearby with Max to give me a hug. “Well, young lady, it’s up to you and Max now.”

Christa didn’t know what to say and Max looked mildly horrified.
“Mum.”

Fortunately my mother stalked off to get a refill of champagne, to Christa and Max’s relief. She leaned in and gave me a tight hug. “I’m so happy for you both.”

“Thanks.”

“And speaking about happy, check those two out.” Christa pointed toward a dark corner of the courtyard.

“Well, well.”

I’d taken a gamble inviting John tonight. In the end, I’d left it up to him. I’d told him I’d be happy to have him here to celebrate with us, but I didn’t want him to feel obligated in case he wasn’t comfortable being around Scarlett.

Judging how Scarlett was leaning in and listening to whatever John was saying, and the way he was bending down so he didn’t tower over her, it was going better than expected. I was genuinely relieved. John still planned on surprising Scarlett at her art show in New York. If they were on better speaking terms by then, it would make it all the more special.

“Where are you?” Paul was looking at me curiously while I stared into the distance.

“Right here. Shall we tell them the other news?”

“What other news could there be?” Christa asked, sounding alarmed.

I smiled to myself. She was right. Engagement, marriage, baby shower and company merger all in one party was probably enough, but we still had one more thing to share.

“Come here.” Paul pulled me to his side again and bent down for a long, lingering kiss that left my toes tingling. “Alright,” he said, when he was finished. “Now your turn.”

“Everybody! If I could just have your attention for one more second,” I called out.

The low hum of conversation quietened and I cast my gaze around the group. For about the hundredth time in the last two months I silently reminded myself how lucky I was. I’d been so determined to do everything on my own, I’d forgotten how important it was to hold tight to those close to you. To let them in and to let them help. To have someone along to enjoy the ride. It didn’t come naturally to me, but I was learning.

I threaded my fingers through Paul’s and held his hand tightly. The bands of my engagement and wedding rings pressed into my skin.

I looked to the horizon for a moment. The city glowed and a light autumn breeze cooled my arms. I felt a light flutter in my stomach, an almost imperceptible whisper of movement. The sensations were becoming more frequent. I had a feeling they’d become stronger before too much longer. I lay my free hand on my bump and knew, with a certainty that ran to my core, this was exactly where I was meant to be.

I searched for Scarlett in the crowd. “Oh, Scarlett. I thought everyone would be interested to know – you lost our bet.”

Scarlett frowned, while a few people called out, “what bet?”

I turned to smile at Paul and we beamed at each other.

“It’s official. We’re having a girl!” I announced.

I thought I heard Scarlett mutter “typical” under her breath while another round of cheers rang out into the night.