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“Can I get you something to drink?” she asks.
“No, thank you.”
She knocks and leads me into a huge office with a wet bar and a large conversation area with brown leather furniture. In one corner near the window is an elliptical that overlooks Fifth Avenue.
“Mr. Amick will be in shortly. Please have a seat.”
I sit down in one of the oversized black micro suede chairs in front of the desk. I can’t get over this office. The ceilings must be fifteen feet high and, in the corner, I notice a bathroom. I always wanted a private bathroom. I get up to look outside at the street below.
“Impressive, isn’t it?”
I whirl around to see Charles behind me. He’s not what I was expecting since he’s about forty with slightly graying red hair and dressed in black workout clothing while slurping from a water bottle.
“I’m sorry, forgive me for my state of dress.”
I put my hand up. “Perfectly alright.”
I wait for him to be seated at his desk.
“You have history with Spotlight. Why leave after four years of great work?”
“I need a change. I have nothing tethering me to California.”
“Word has it that you turned around Tailwind Studios here in New York.”
“True. Management was a mess. I cleaned house.”
“And you did it in two months. Here at Charge Media, we have a similar situation. I’m sure you’ve done your due diligence.”
“You have several lawsuits regarding harassment. The atmosphere around here is hostile.”
Charles exhaled loudly, “Unfortunately, yes. Charge needs to clean up its image.”
“You need a woman at the helm to do it?”
“Exactly. I already know your reputation, so I won’t subject you to all the usual line of questioning. If you’re interested, I can have a package drawn up.”
“I’m interested. I would need to give Spotlight a month’s notice. I’m sure they would counter any offer you make.”
“I’m prepared to negotiate with you.”
“Send over the initial offer, and we’ll go from there. I do have one request. I take vacations right after the New Year. I would need that to be standard.”
“I’ll do you one better; we can supply a company jet for wherever you go.”
“That’s intriguing. Send over your proposal.”
“What the fuck do you mean you’re leaving?” Austin said.
We were having lunch at a bistro in downtown Los Angeles. I invited him to break the news that I was leaving California for the job with Charge Media. It had been a battle with Spotlight, but the salary, perks, and benefits Charge offered were just too good to say no.
“I received a job offer in New York. I decided to take it.”
“Does this have anything to do with my impending marriage?”
I laughed sarcastically. “No. Don’t flatter yourself.”
“You’ve been disconnected from our friendship for months. Ever since you found out about Jessie.”
