Working It Read Online Free Page A

years,” Jade said. “If they’re not going to let me prove myself on a big account, then I was thinking, maybe it’s time to show them what I can do with a small account. An impossible account. One they’ve written off.”
    Betsy sat up. “So that’s what you want with Robson.” Her tone sounded impressed. “They watched some of their top account executives fail, and then you go in…hmm. Interesting.”
    Jade saw her advantage, pressed it. “I know I can turn this around,” she said, her voice low and impassioned. “You should see this factory. All of the workers seem to love Drew Robson, and the Robson family. He’s got a fiercely loyal staff. And he…”
    She stumbled on her words. He was amazing, frustrating. But he was also dedicated to saving his company, its workers, and the town. She had felt turned on—the guy was impossibly good-looking, and she wasn’t blind—but she had felt something more. She’d felt inspired.
    â€œHe’s the heart and soul of that place,” she said. “I win him over, and the rest will fall into place.”
    Betsy pressed her fingertips against the broad surface of her desk. “How long do you think this will take?”
    Jade felt a glimmer of hope burn in her stomach. “I’m not sure. Fairly quickly…no more than a few months.” She got the feeling if she didn’t turn things around for Robson, his company might not be around for much longer than a few months anyway. Now was not the time to mention that to Betsy, however.
    â€œA few months. And how much of your time?”
    This was a little trickier. “As I said, I wouldn’t be ignoring my key accounts. Most of my work with my current clients is just maintenance, anyway.”
    â€œAnd new accounts?”
    Jade winced. “I’d have to ask for a break from new account work for a while,” she admitted. “Just until I got Robson back on its feet.”
    â€œI don’t like it,” Betsy said. “I value your help with my new account pitches—there isn’t anybody at Michaels and Associates with your flair for presentations or proposals.”
    â€œI promise, I’ll still be able to help you with those,” Jade said hurriedly, sitting back down in the seat witha thump. “You won’t notice a difference in my work habits.”
    Betsy sighed, sitting back, obviously evaluating. Jade held her breath.
    â€œTell me something.” And now Betsy’s eyes were shrewd. “This is just for the promotion, right? There’s nothing else here I don’t know about?”
    Jade stared. “Sorry?”
    â€œYou’re not going altruistic on me, are you?” Her voice rolled out in sonorous waves. “I mean, charity has its place…but I’d hate to see you pinning your hopes on some poor little company that doesn’t have a chance no matter how good you are. There’s taking on a challenge, and then there’s career suicide.”
    Jade’s spine stiffened. “I like helping people.”
    â€œSo do I. So does everyone,” Betsy said smoothly. “But sometimes you take things on to help people. And then, sometimes you say no because you’re only hurting yourself.”
    â€œThis isn’t like that,” Jade said, crossing her arms. She realized how defensive her posture was and forced her body to relax. “I just really think I have a shot with this. It’s an untapped opportunity. And, yeah, showing the partners how well I can do in the same company their hotshots failed in will only help my cause. Now can I work on the Robson case, or not?”
    Betsy smiled. “I’ve had a lot of people work for me over the years, but you’re special, Jade. You rather remind me of myself…when I was your age, of course.”
    Jade smiled back, highly complimented. “Would you have taken on the Robson