Songbird (29 page)

A weight seemed to lift from her shoulders with this decision, and her gaze slanted back into the adjoining room. She spotted Grant, still talking to Ted Lazar. Did Grant know Bob was bad-mouthing him behind his back? Someone ought to tell him. She wondered if Ted believed the rumors about Grant, whether they might ruin Grant’s chances to bid on the account.

It would serve Bob right if Grant stole the account out from under his nose, she thought.

“
Bob,” she said, taking his arm and leading him deeper into the crowd, away from the palm plant shielding Grant, “I wonder if you’d excuse me for a minute.” She glanced meaningfully toward the front door and he nodded in understanding.

“
The ladies’ lounge is just down the hall,” he said, pointing. “Look for me around here when you’re through.”

“
I will.” When he’d gone, Kelli made her way back through the crowd into the other room, her heart racing with anticipation. She stopped behind the palm plant again, listening.

“
I appreciate you coming up here,” Ted said. “The thing is, I don’t want to waste your time on this if we’re not right for each other. And there’s so much going on. I’m supposed to propose a toast to the birthday boy in half an hour. Why don’t you call me next week? Give me a few days to check some things out before I give you any details.”

“
Check what out? Ted, I’ll need to get started on this as soon as possible. Let’s go down to your office, where it’s quiet. Five minutes, that’s all I ask.”

Ted sighed. “Grant, let me be frank with you. I’ve heard nothing but praise for the work you do. But quality isn’t the only thing I’m looking for. I need performance, someone who can meet my schedule, who’s easy to work with. And since I talked to you last, I’ve heard a few things I don’t like. Things that say you don’t fit the bill.”

“
I don’t fit the—what are you talking about? Who’ve you been talking to?”

“
I heard you’re temperamental,” Ted said. “Stubborn. No one wants to work for you. You like to run the whole show. And worse yet, I hear you’re slow. You take forever to finish a job.”

“
That’s absurd. I probably have less staff turnover than any agency in the city. We meet our deadlines, Ted, and then some. Ask any one of my clients. I’ll give you a list. You can call them tomorrow.”

Kelli fumed inwardly. Bob Dawson’s nasty rumors were working far too well. She had to do something to help.

Something…

“
I’ll make a few calls tomorrow,” Ted said. “Maybe I’ll talk to someone who’ll change my mind. But right now I don’t want to spend any more—”

“
Excuse me,” Kelli said, brushing past the palm plant to stand at Grant’s side. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see him stiffen in surprise. “Don’t believe everything you’ve heard about Grant’s temperament,” she said, fixing Lazar with a dazzling smile. “He’s not really as difficult to work with as you’d imagine. Honestly, he’s a pussycat at heart. And as for the company being slow...ridiculous. Ten minutes in your office and I’ll prove otherwise.”

Lazar’s bushy brows lifted in fatherly admiration. “Is that right? And who are you, little lady?”

Kelli grinned at Grant, who was staring at her in wide-eyed astonishment, then turned back to Lazar and extended her hand. “I’m Kelli Ann Harrison, Creative Director for Pembroke Advertising.”