The Slot (Rochester Riot #1)(11)
She parked in the ramp and hurried to her office, though there was no need to at this early hour. But she had to admit, running toward the building helped calm her. As if the motion itself could chase away the haunting fantasies of someone she had no right to be so obsessed with after a couple of brief interludes.
She brewed herself a coffee and sat down to read Inside Sports while devouring her secret stash of treats. A few minutes before eight, Kylie arrived. She’d barely said good morning to her when Eloise’s desk phone shrilled.
“Eloise Rob–”
Sheehan’s voice cut her greeting short. “We don’t need a f*cking Town Hall meeting.”
Eloise’s mouth hung open a second or two. If nothing else, her boss was certainly direct. “Excuse me, Mr. Murphy, but I think it’s important to understand the community’s point of view and for them to understand ours.”
“I don’t pay you to understand. I pay you to deal with the public and get them to shut their redneck, trailer park pie holes.”
Eloise’s temperature bypassed simmering to land at boiling. Taking a deep breath, she struggled to remain professional. “That’s true and I’ve been handling community relations for the organization for nearly five years. I know the best way to deal with the public, so please let me handle this.”
She could hear Murphy breathing heavily over the line. “Five years, huh. Well, young lady, if you want to be around for six, you’d better find a way to get those hayseeds off my job site today, not host a tea party for them. Do I make myself clear?”
Murphy hung up before Eloise could answer. Not that she had a choice – the boss was the boss whether she agreed with him or not. She looked at the half-eaten package of doughnuts on her desk, then tossed them into the wastebasket in disgust. The only other idea she had would involve a trip to the Sales & Marketing office down the hall, where more unpleasantness had hidden itself under a rock. In addition to powdered doughnuts, working at KwikTrip had given her another unhealthy legacy in the form of Kristoff Helios, the dreaded ex.
As a young, grad student, she was no match for a slick, head office exec like Kristoff when he’d flirted with her on his visits to the local stores. He’d totally swept her off her feet, but when they both vied for her current job with the Riot, Eloise had landed it instead of him.
The Riot had eventually hired Kristoff too, but as the Sales & Promotions Manager, which made him her subordinate. Resentment was a soft word to describe his attitude toward her, and a trip to his office was something she avoided whenever possible.
She forced herself out of her chair and through the reception area. “I’m heading over to sales,” she told Kylie as she exited to the hallway.
“Good luck,” Kylie murmured as she watched her leave, giving her a victory sign to boost her nerve.
Kristoff leaned against a desk, talking to one of the junior reps as Eloise marched into the sales bullpen. His expensive suit, good looks, and charming demeanor could win over almost any client and drop any na?ve woman’s panties, but Eloise knew better. His Greek heritage had blessed him with olive skin and handsome features, but underneath he was slippery. Like an eel. He sensed her approach, and for a minute looked almost pleased to see her until he tamped it down and neutralized his expression.
“El, my dear. What brings you here?”
The junior rep had the good grace to look embarrassed and confused so he retreated to his desk to leave the two of them alone.
“I need some killer graphics done, ASAP,” she said, dispensing with any pleasantries and going straight into boss mode. “Can you get some signage produced for the construction site by tomorrow?”
Kristoff deployed his smooth, salesman smile. “Depends. What’s in it for me?”
“Don’t play scratch-my-back, Kristoff. Just do your job, and let me do mine. I want to start a community campaign to show the locals we’re not out to destroy their livelihood… a partnership theme of some kind. Can you get your design team to draft something up?”
“Ah, yes, I heard the villagers are waving their flaming torches high.” He clucked his tongue in mock sympathy. “The job’s not all stars and spotlight, is it? Careful, if you don’t watch out, the fire might singe your gorgeous, silky hair. The perfect mane for a man to yank.”
Eloise ignored his inappropriate sarcasm. “So you’ll get on it today?”
“Sure,” he conceded with a cocky smirk. “Great idea, really. Throw the mongrels a bone. Make them think you’re their friend before you stab them in the back. You’re good at that.”
She stared him down, incredulous he could be so petty for so long. “Look, Kristoff. I’m not going there with you for the millionth time. Get over it.”
He held up one hand in a gesture of cease-fire. “I’m only making a suggestion. Barbara said she saw you outside talking with the locals yesterday and said that they seemed to respect you. A clever promotion on your part could make you the darling of the neighborhood. Then after you’ve accomplished your goal…” Kristoff paused and made a slow slashing motion across his throat.
“I would never do that, go back on my word,” Eloise said. “That’s more your style, Kristoff. I don’t need to stoop to your level to accomplish my goals.”
“Such a little hypocrite. You practically climbed over me to get this job.”