Working It Read Online Free Page B

case?”
    â€œProbably.” She took a deep breath. “Okay. You can take on this little pet project of yours.”
    Jade beamed. “Great. I’ll get started right away—”
    â€œNot so fast,” Betsy interrupted. “There are a few provisions on letting you do this.”
    Jade nodded, still elated. She should have known her boss would do this—nothing came easy when you were working for Raw Diehl. But then, few things Jade took on were easy. She prided herself on that.
    â€œFirst of all, you’re going to keep working on all of your accounts. One slip-up on any of them, and you’re off the Robson account.”
    â€œAgreed.”
    â€œSecond, you’re still going to help me with those new account pitches.”
    Jade groaned internally, but kept her game face on. “No problem.”
    â€œThird…you’re bucking on this to get you a promotion, Jade. That means that you’re going to have to prove yourself to the other partners and to myself. You have to get Robson to pay the bill. From the looks of it, that means pulling the company out of the fire single-handedly. That’s an awfully tall order.”
    â€œI know.”
    â€œI’m going to have to go to the other partners and explain why I’m not putting you on other accounts, and why you’re spending your time and our resources helping what could be a delinquent customer,” Betsy said, and her gray eyes were like flint. “That means that I’m going to have to do some fast talking and make some concessions.”
    Now Jade felt a cold prickle of apprehension dust her spine. “I don’t want to put you in a bad position,” she said.
    â€œI’ve been on the hot seat before, don’t worry,” Betsy said with a negligible wave of her hand. “But in order to say that you can shirk the new accountwork, especially for a long shot…well, if it goes under, we’re both going to look bad.”
    â€œI understand.”
    â€œSo, I’m going to propose this—if you get the Robson account, you finally get the promotion to account supervisor, with the opportunity to buy into the partnership—” Betsy paused “—but if the Robson account doesn’t pay, or if anything goes wrong…then you’re going to have to forfeit any promotions for the entire following year. And you’ll have to give up some of your key accounts. It’ll be like starting all over again.”
    Jade swallowed hard. “I see.”
    â€œNow, are you sure you want to risk this?” Betsy’s face was concerned. “Or do you want to just be patient, see how it goes at your next review? That’s only four months away. It might be different this time.”
    It might be different this time. How many times had Jade walked into her boss’s office with that thought? And walked out empty-handed? Still, maybe it was safer…
    She thought, suddenly, inexplicably, of Drew Robson. With his flashing, light blue eyes full of righteous fury. He would’ve been safer staying at some other job, but instead he’d taken the helm of a sinking ship, determined to do everything he could to save it. He would never take the easy route. He wouldn’t go quietly.
    She wouldn’t do less.
    â€œI’ll take the risk,” Jade said instead, standing and shaking Betsy’s hand. “Thanks for letting me have the chance.”
    â€œI shouldn’t be surprised. As I said…you’re special.” Betsy shook her head. “I’m sure that if anybody can do it, it’ll be you, Jade. Good luck.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œAnd don’t forget about my new account work.”
    â€œYes, ma’am.” Jade winked, causing Betsy to laugh.
    As Jade walked out of Betsy’s office, she felt a burst of excitement—quickly coupled with a burst of nerves.
    I’ve got the opportunity, she thought. Now…I