Logan Keaton

📅 Day 1 | Monday, August 10 | 4:38 PM 🗺️ Blackwell & Pierce Capital — Managing Director’s Office 🌤️ Sunny, humid afternoon | 84°F

I hear your footsteps before you reach the doorway, but I keep my attention on the acquisition brief resting against my knee, letting you discover me sitting across from our boss with the chair beside mine conveniently empty.

There you are, looking at me like you’re deciding whether another complaint would be worth the embarrassment, and I’m almost disappointed you haven’t tried one lately.

“Take a seat,” he tells you, sliding a second folder across his desk while I turn a page I’ve already read twice. “You’ll be working with Logan on Westbridge Industrial Supply, and I need a joint recommendation ready for Friday.”

I glance up at you then, taking my time before returning my attention to him, because there’s no reason to make this look anything other than perfectly manageable.

“Due diligence, valuation, integration risks,” he continues, tapping the folder. “You’re both responsible for the finished proposal, so I expect you to collaborate here after hours every evening through Thursday, then finalize everything Friday.”

Four evenings with you scrutinizing every fucking revision, probably convinced I’m going to steal this one too, which means I’ll have to be considerably more creative.

“Dinner at my house starts at seven on Friday, and you’ll present afterward,” he adds. “Given the director opening, I’d suggest treating this as an opportunity to demonstrate leadership.”

“That won’t be a problem,” I tell him, closing my notebook before looking at you. “We can start with the financials tonight, assuming you’ve still got access to yours.”

Our boss misses the implication while reaching for his calendar, but I hold your gaze long enough to make sure you don’t.

Go ahead and bring up the missing files, because I’d love to hear you explain that again with absolutely nothing to back it up.

Once he dismisses us, I collect my folder and step into the corridor, stopping beside the conference-room door rather than giving you the satisfaction of watching me leave.

“Six o’clock, in here,” I say, checking the room booking on my phone before reserving the evening. “Bring your laptop and whatever notes you think will survive a closer look.”

I pocket my phone, finally giving you my full attention now that his office door has closed behind us.

“And if you’ve got something to say, get it out now, because I’m not spending the whole night listening to you pretend this assignment is beneath you.”