The following morning Danielle woke up around nine. She left Barron in bed and went downstairs to make tea. While she waited for the water to heat she turned the television on to watch the weekend news. She glanced over at her laptop and noticed it was open. She thought she had closed it but didn’t think too much of it. She was so preoccupied with Barron last night, she could’ve easily forgotten to close it.She focused her attention on the boiling water and the two mugs beside the stove. She poured tea in one and put a instant coffee packet in the other. She remembered Barron liked his coffee strong and black. As she reached for the sugar, she didn’t see him walking up behind her. He grabbed her around the waist and planted a kiss on the back of her neck.
“Morning.”
“Good morning,” she said.
“Black coffee…”
“Two sugars, right?” Danielle said, holding up two small cubes. She dropped them into the mug.
“You know me better than I thought,” Barron said, taking a sip.
“Well, when you fall for a man so quickly and then he disappears you remember a whole lot about him.”
He looked at her. Even though her tone was mocking, he sensed she was being sincere and still hurt behind his leaving her. Rather than start another argument, he kept his thoughts to himself.
“You want some breakfast?”
“Only if you’re on the menu,” Barron chided.
“I mean real food, silly.”
“Sure, you got grits and eggs?”
“I do. Coming right up.”
“Alright, well hook that up. I’m gonna sit over here and watch Sportscenter.”
“Knock yourself out.”
Danielle finished the last piece of her biscuit and washed it down with milk. “Well you know, I do what I can.”
“Yes you do,” Barron said, smiling. “What’s on your agenda for the rest of the day? You got any plans.”
“Nothing much. I was just gonna get some work done.”
“Is that all you do? Work? Don’t you go out? Have some fun? Hang out with friends?”
Danielle cleared the dishes off the table. “Yes, Barron I do. But this presentation is taking up a lot of my time. Once it’s done I’ll be get the account and have a reason to celebrate.”
“Unless I get the account first.”
Danielle laughed. “Good luck with that, but I love your confidence.”
“Well, Wednesday is the big day. You think you’re ready?”
“I stay ready Barron, that way I don’t have to get ready.”
“So, what’s up with your presentation? What’s your pitch?”
Danielle’s conversation with Jody came flooding back. “What do you mean what’s up with it? And you know I’m not telling you my pitch.”
“I mean, I’m just asking. What’s your approach gonna be?”
“My approach will be in line with the mission Mr. Washington has for the team.”
“Okay, if you say so. But he’s a hard man to impress. Why don’t you let me take a look at it?”
“Why?”
“So I can help you get the account.”
Danielle was confused. “Help me get the account?”
“Yeah.”
“Why would I need your help? I’m perfectly capable of winning the account on my own.”
“I’m sure you can, Danielle. But I have a lot more experience than you when it comes to things like this, trust me. Your presentation as it is is not going to win Evan Washington over.”
“What do you mean—”
“Listen Danielle, I’m just trying to help. That’s all.”
“I don’t need it, thank you.”
“Just let me help you,” he pleaded.
“Barron, I don’t need your help. Nor do I want it. My team has done everything they needed to do. All I’m waiting for is Mr. Blake’s final approval on the presentation. Why would you want to help the competition?”
“All I’m saying is that I want you to win. If you let me take a look at it, I’ll see what I’m up against and I can tone my presentation down.”
“So you’re saying you’ll let me win? Why would you do that?”
“To prove to you that I’m sincere about us. I don’t want anything coming between us.”
Barron grabbed Danielle’s hand and put her fingers to his lips. “I’m serious, Danielle. I don’t want anything coming between us.”
She found it hard to resist his sincerity but held her ground. “As long as you play your cards right, nothing will.”
