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“Please do,” Kevin said. “Right next to Davidson’s face.”
“Speaking of,” David added, “did you send it to him?”
“I did,” I said. “He read it, shrugged, and asked if they could move faster.”
Kevin groaned up at the ceiling. “I hate that man.”
“Get in line,” I muttered.
“So what now?” David asked. “Is pushing Falkirk’s timeline even an option?”
“No,” Jennifer said immediately. “That would be… ill-advised.”
“Suicide,” Kevin translated.
I agreed. “They get their update when Holt sends the agreement. Not before. If Davidson wants a call in two weeks, I can read the same email out loud.”
“And if he throws a fit?” Kevin asked.
“Then he throws a fit.” I shrugged with false confidence. “We’re not blowing a viable partnership so he can feel powerful for fifteen minutes.”
David’s brows rose, then settled. “Fair enough.”
My phone buzzed against my palm.
Read: How did it go?
The whiskey warmth shifted sideways, making room for the easier heat that came with that question. I set my glass on the desk and typed.
Me: The meeting itself went really well. Holt’s team committed to a written two-month timeline. They sent a recap email within five minutes.
Read: That sounds incredible. I knew you’d crush it.
Me: Investor call after was… less great. They keep moving the goal line. Want proof I can make Falkirk move faster than they already promised to.
Read: Of course they do.
Across the room, Kevin’s voice drifted over.
“What are ballet flats?” he asked Jennifer. “Like… tiny ballet shoes? Because all I see online are ribbons and bruised toes.”
“Oh, my god,” Jennifer muttered. “Give me your phone.”
Me: Asking Falkirk to accelerate again would wreck our leverage, but they don’t care. They just want speed.
Read: Then you don’t ask. You’re in the trenches. They’re not. Trust your gut.
Me: That’s the plan.
Read: Anything I can do from this end?
My fingers hovered as I considered.
Me: Not really. Just… keep texting me like this.
Read: I can absolutely do that. How’s the internal chorus?
Me: Quieter than last time. I used your five-senses trick before the meeting. It worked.
