Chapter 7

Friday morning found Brian at work earlier than usual. He was even there ahead of Cynthia. He wanted to make sure he was prepared to meet Mr. Harrington of Acme Garden Tools when he arrived at ten o'clock. This would be his first new client since he returned to full time work at Ryder. He wanted to be sure that he got the account.

He was sure the website update that he and Cynthia had worked out would impress Harrington. But he had also drawn up some ads that could be used in newspapers or magazines. Mitch had agreed to put a rush on the ads and had brought up the prototype before Brian had left work the day before. Brian hadn't been totally pleased with them. When he saw them on the foamcore boards, he realized the color was wrong. Mitch had agreed to redo them before he left for the night. Brian wanted to make sure they were exactly right. They were now standing against the wall across from his desk. They looked great, even if he did say so himself.

Brian leaned back in his chair. Everything was ready for Harrington, as ready as it was going to get. Brian knew the work was good. Any client should be pleased with what he and Cynthia had come up with on such short notice.

Brian frowned. He was still nervous about this meeting with Harrington though. He had to wonder why, since he knew that his ideas were really good. Then it hit Brian. The man ran a company that wasn't wheelchair accessible. He had attempted to hang up on Brian when he first found out that Brian was in a wheelchair. Brian had almost had to bribe Harrington or rather dare him to come to Ryder. He was practically coming to Brian's office under duress. That's why Brian was worried. The man didn't know how to deal with someone in a wheelchair.

The uncertainty of the man's reaction was what had Brian worried. No matter how good the ideas were, there was no guarantee that Harrington would see beyond Brian’s wheelchair. And if he couldn't, they surely wouldn't get the account.

Brian let out a long breath. Why did he always do this to himself? He never used to have these self doubts. But then, he never used to be in a wheelchair either. His life had changed so drastically over the last couple of years, but the biggest change of all was the last couple of months.

Justin! It always came back to Justin. His life was so much better, richer, more normal than before he had met BB. He had never experienced anything like what he and Justin had. For Justin he'd do or try anything, and as a result of trying things, he was back at work and functioning almost like a normal human being. And Justin expected him to succeed. In fact Justin never doubted that he would succeed. Therefore, Brian told himself, he should stop wallowing in self doubt and make Justin's faith in him come true.

Cynthia came in with coffee for both of them. "You having a good day?" she asked rather uncertainly.

"That will depend on Mr. Harrington."

Cynthia frowned. "If he likes our work, that will be great. If he doesn't, then he's an idiot. It's still good work."

Brian snorted. "I trained you well." That was just the kind of thing he used to say.

"You trained me well because it's the truth. Harrington should be blown away by what you've done."

"By what we've done," Brian corrected. He gestured towards the boards. Cynthia hadn't seen the corrected version.

"Those look amazing. That color for the background is perfect."

Brian nodded, secretly gratified that she liked them as much as he did. "Is everything set up for the shoot this afternoon?" Brian asked.

"Yeah, Gavin is available after two and I got your favorite photographer," Cynthia said obviously pleased with herself.

"How did you swing that? Patrick's usually booked months in advance."

"I have my ways."

"Do they involve sleeping arrangements?"

Cynthia visibly blushed. "I do not sleep with everyone who comes into this office," she said feigning being indignant.

"Methinks the lady doth protest too much."

"Fuck off, Kinney. My private life is none of your business."

"You're right," Brian said deciding he had pushed her far enough. "I appreciate whatever you did."

"I called in a marker," she said quickly.

"Hm, at least the person who owed you came through."

"Did someone welsh on you?" she asked with a frown.

"No, but I expect them to."

"That sounds ominous."

"Nothing to worry about." Brian hoped his words would be proven true.

"I have a few things I need to do before Mr. Harrington arrives," Cynthia said.

"Me too," Brian grinned although what he wanted to do had nothing to do with Harrington.

When Cynthia had disappeared from his office, Brian turned on his email.

Hey BB,

I missed sleeping with you last night, but I hope you enjoyed your sleep-in this morning. Last night was … nice before you left.

I have the chance to land my first new account in about an hour. If you're awake, cross your fingers for me.

PP

Brian hit send and then got out the Jacobsen Bicycle folder. He had a couple of new ideas that he wanted to write down. It was amazing how once the block was broken the ideas just flowed.

 

*****
 

"I'm Alastair Harrington," the nice looking man said as he approached the reception desk. "I'm here to see Brian Kinney." He looked around the outer office obviously unimpressed by what he saw.

Cynthia had been walking down the hall when she heard the name. "It's all right, Gwen," she said to the receptionist. "I'll look after Mr. Harrington."

"And you are?" Harrington said looking down his aquiline nose at Cynthia.

"I'm Cynthia Morgan," she replied extending her hand. "Brian Kinney's executive assistant."

Harrington shook her hand half-heartedly. "I hope you have your presentation ready. I'm on a tight schedule."

"Of course," Cynthia replied trying not to let her anger at his arrogance flare up. "If you'll follow me, I'll take you to the conference room where we have our presentation all set up."

Harrington followed her down the hall. She opened the door to the conference room where Brian was adjusting the covers on the boards. They had decided to unveil them at the appropriate moment rather than have them sitting out for Harrington to see when he arrived. Brian turned his head when he heard the door open. Cynthia tried to give him a high sign of warning that Harrington would not be easy to deal with, but he didn't seem to notice. Brian's gaze was fixed on Harrington.

"How do you do, Mr. Harrington," Brian said extending his hand. "I'm Brian Kinney. You'll excuse me if I don't get up."

Cynthia cringed. She knew Harrington would not appreciate that comment. He didn't seem to have much of a sense of humor. She frowned and shook her head at Brian. That had not been the way to start, in her opinion.

Harrington extended his hand to grasp Brian's in a perfunctory shake. "I see that you really are in a wheelchair. I wondered if you were just saying that to get me here."

Brian felt anger rise in his throat. "I would never stoop to saying something that was untrue, certainly not about being a paraplegic," Brian informed him.

"I apologize if I misjudged you," Harrington said in what Cynthia thought must be as close to contrite as this man ever got. She had to admire Brian's ability to set Harrington back on his heels without even trying. "Can we get on with this? I don't have much time."

"Of course," Brian replied. "Cynthia would you start the Powerpoint?"

Cynthia turned on the computer and Acme Garden Tools' website came up on the screen.

"What is this for? I've seen our website before."

Cynthia clicked to the next picture. "This is what it should look like," Brian stated. Cynthia smiled. "You'll see that it's much less cluttered, easier to navigate, friendlier."

Harrington was staring at the screen. "How?"

"We designed a new one. If you follow the index, it will take you to all the tools that you offer. The internal part of the site needs to be updated with your latest products, but I think you can see how much better and easier this will be for your customers, and we've added a checkout system so customers can order online."

"I … I was looking into that," Harrington said slowly. He seemed slightly stunned.

"A good advertising agency would have already seen that that was done," Brian said smugly.

"What else do you have to show me?" Harrington asked with his haughty manner returning.

"Cynthia," Brian said.

Cynthia moved around the table and uncovered the first ad mock-up. Before Harrington could say anything, she did the second, then the third and finally the fourth.

Nobody said anything. Harrington was studying the boards as if mesmerized. Brian and Cynthia were watching him.

"What do you think?" Brian asked when he was sure that Harrington had been blown away.

"I … I have to say that I'm very impressed with what you have done in such a short time. Do you have some cost estimates for all of this?"

"Of course," Brian replied. "Cynthia."

Cynthia handed Harrington all the financial data and prospective costs and likely increases in revenue if Acme Tools went with this program.

"I'll look these figures over and get back to you," Mr. Harrington said standing up ready to leave.

"I really suggest that you look at them now. This offer is only good for the next hour," Brian said with his own arrogance.

"I don't appreciate being pressured."

"And I don't appreciate people walking out of here after a presentation, and then I find my ideas in their ads next month."

"How dare you!"

"I dare," Brian responded. "Do you want these ads and the website improvements or not?"

Harrington looked completely floored by Brian's attitude. Cynthia was sure he was going to stomp out of the conference room never to be seen again. Brian merely sat in his chair and waited. A minute passed as the stand-off continued.

Finally. "Yes," Harrington said grudgingly. "This is exactly what I've been wanting. My company's revenues have been falling for the last two quarters. That's why I was looking for a new ad agency."

"If you sign on the dotted line, you can have one as of right now."

Harrington studied Brian, the wheelchair, the arrogant attitude, the efficiency of his work and the woman's. They were a great team. He doubted that he would find anything better at any price. "Done," he said holding out his hand.

Brian shook it with a smile on his face. "Cynthia, the contracts."

They were signed in fifteen minutes and Harrington was on his way.

As soon as the elevator doors closed on Harrington, Cynthia ran back to the conference room to Brian. She threw her arms around his neck. "You were … magnificent with him."

"Magnificent?" Brian snorted, but he was very pleased by the deal they had just closed and Cynthia's reaction to what he had done.

Cynthia nodded her head enthusiastically as she released him. "He came in here all arrogant and prepared to diss everything we showed him, us included. I could tell as soon as I met him. But you nipped that right in the bud. You stopped him from making rude comments and you put him on the defensive. I was worried at first, but that turned out to be exactly the right way to handle him. You have great instincts."

"Thanks," Brian replied. He took Cynthia's words as a real compliment. Some of his self doubt faded with those words. "I knew we had to bag him today. If he went away and thought about it too much, the chair might take over again."

"I forgot you were sitting in it," Cynthia chuckled. "If you can do that to me, you can do that with any client. You were great!"

"Stop! Or I'll get a swelled head," Brian chuckled.

"You already have a swelled head, one that is absolutely brilliant."

"We need to focus. We have to get ready for the photo shoot this afternoon."

"I'll take these contracts to legal, and then we can head over to Patrick's studio."

Brian groaned. "I don't remember if there are steps into his place or not."

"I'll call and find out." Cynthia gave him a sympathetic look before she went to make her phone call.

"Thanks," Brian replied. No matter how great he felt, the fucking chair would always rear its ugly head.

Brian went back to his office and checked his emails.

The first thing he noticed was one from Justin. He opened it immediately.

PP,

What the fuck do you mean when you say that last night was NICE! It was fucking awesome like every night we're together is. I know you're reticent to use hyperbole, but just once in a while you're going to have to, or I'm going to be so fucking pissed off at you that you won't be getting any until further notice.

Brian laughed out loud. Most people would threaten to leave or to shoot someone who said dense things like Brian had said in his email. Only his Justin would threaten not to have sex until further notice. He wasn't exactly cutting Brian off, just making him wait. God, he loved this man!

That said, I've kept my fingers crossed ever since I got this email, and it ain't easy to paint with crossed fingers, so you fucking better get that account. LOL I know you will, by the way. You can do anything.

I love you.

BB

Brian smiled. He didn't know whether to email Justin back or rush home to fuck him. He decided he really couldn't leave yet. Maybe Patrick's studio would be inaccessible and he could go home instead. With a sigh he started to type.

BB

I want you so bad right now that I am on the verge of rushing home to fuck you.

Brian debated deleting that, but after what Justin had said at the beginning of his email, he decided it would be better to leave it in. In fact…

You made me so horny with your tirade. I must be a closet masochist to keep you around. Or maybe it's because I love you so much and we have the most awesome sex.

PP

There! He'd said it all. Justin couldn't accuse him of holding back after that.

PS: I got the account.

Brian hit send before he could change his mind. As he sat thinking about what he'd just admitted to Justin, Cynthia came into his office.

"What did you find out?" he asked. He wasn't sure whether he wanted to go to the shoot or not. He knew he definitely wanted to go home.

"There's one step into his studio."

"Ah, too bad, I guess I won't be able to go."

"He has a chunk of plywood that he said you could use as a ramp. There shouldn't be any problem."

"Shit!"

"I know it's not the most glamorous way to make an entrance, but at least you can get in."

"That's not the problem. I was all set to go home."

"Oh? Is something wrong?"

"No."

"You wanted to go fuck Justin after your great triumph today, didn't you?"

"Ms. Morgan, language, please! I'm shocked," Brian said trying to look coy.

"Get your ass moving. We can pick up some lunch on the way over to Patrick's. You know you have the best eye in the business. We need your input."

"When did you become the very model of a modern major general?" Brian snarked.

"Come on, you old poop. Let's get going," she laughed.

"Yes, ma'am."

 

*****
 

When Brian arrived at the loft later that day, Justin was waiting for him with dinner all ready.

"You're late," Justin said. "Where have you been? I thought you wanted to come home to me at noon."

"I would have liked to."

"So why didn't you?"

"I actually went to a photo shoot this afternoon, for Jacobsen Bikes. It went really well … with a little help from me."

"Sounds like you're really back in full adman mode," Justin said as he kissed Brian's cheek.

"You know, I think I am. Today felt good, even though I'd rather have come home to you."

Justin gave Brian one of those blistering smiles of his. Brian had to smile in return. "You are a sweet talker when you want to be, Brian Kinney. I really appreciated what you said in your email."

"You mean the second one," Brian asked tongue in cheek.

"Yes, I mean the second one, asshole. Dinner's ready. Do you want to go change?"

"Yeah, I'll just be a minute."

"I'll dish things up," Justin said as Brian rolled up the ramp to the bedroom.

"Okay."

"Oh, and I talked to my mother today."

"And how is dear Jennifer?"

"She's great. She's lined up a bunch of places for us to see tomorrow afternoon."

"Wonderful!"

"Don't be sarcastic, Brian."

"I wasn't. I want to find a place to live where we can spend every night together."

Justin smiled again even though Brian couldn't see him from the bedroom. "You are sweet, Mr. Kinney."

"Of course I am."

"So you'll come with us?"

"Try to keep me away," Brian said as he rolled down the ramp dressed in jeans and a T-shirt."

"You look good enough to eat," Justin said giving him a warm kiss.

"I'm dessert," Brian laughed.

"Yum!"

 

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