Third Time's a Charm by Virginia Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

building?” Mitch asked.
    “Renting. They’re negotiating to rent a building not far from downtown. The opening is projected at six months out.”
    Tori did a mental calculation. “Is December a good time for a restaurant opening?”
    “That’s your job—to make sure it is.” Kate’s smile stretched wide. “The Maguire people are ready to sink some money into their business, and they’re looking for a firm to help make this launch a success. So we need to wow them. I want to see a situation analysis, strategy, a multifaceted ad campaign, even branding recommendations.”
    “So, how are you dividing the work between us?” Mitch asked. “Is one of us going to take lead on this?”
    Kate tapped the papers’ edges on her desk with a loud crack. “You didn’t understand me. You won’t be working together. I want each of you to come up with a plan for Maguire’s independently. That’s the job of an account executive. You’ll make your presentations to me, Dan, Stephen, and the other AEs. Whoever comes up with the most effective and comprehensive plan will become Connolly and Farrin’s new AE.”
    Tori swallowed. She’d studied all of those things, and of course she’d worked with Kate long enough to know what the firm expected in terms of deliverables for a client marketing plan. But she’d never developed an ad campaign on her own. And branding a restaurant? She slid her eyes sideways toward Mitch for a split second. At least he didn’t have any more experience than she did.
    Only one of them would get a promotion out of this. Which meant the other one . . .
    She cleared her throat. “What happens to whichever of us isn’t promoted?”
    Kate peeled off two of the pages and extended them across the desk toward her. “That person will report to the new AE.”
    Her, report to Mitch? She turned her head to lock gazes with him, and her confidence slipped a notch. He wore one of those stupid smirks she was accustomed to seeing from him, but his eyes glinted with something new. Determination.
    Tori set her jaw and took the papers from Kate’s hand. Hard work didn’t bother her. She’d throw herself into this project and produce the best darned marketing plan this company had ever seen.
    “When’s it due?” she asked.
    “You’ll make your presentations on July 11.” Kate handed a set of papers to Mitch. “Now, let’s go over the information I’ve put together on the Maguire account.”
    Tori stared at the printed page without seeing the words. July 11 was only one month away, not much time to put together a full-blown marketing plan for a business she knew nothing about. Her mind reeled with all the work she had to do. Where to start? She might as well forget about sleep until after the presentation. It would take every minute of every day between now and then to get this project done. She wouldn’t have time for anything else.
    And then something hit her.
    Joan’s wedding was July 19. Her sister was getting married eight days after the biggest presentation of her life. The next few weeks were jam-packed with pre-wedding stuff, especially since she’d promised to help with the food and decorations. No way could she get out of those things, not and keep her place in the Sanderson family.
    Good thing she didn’t need much sleep, because she wouldn’t be getting any for at least five weeks.
    Tori bit back a sigh as she forced her attention to the details Kate outlined.

4
    The chairs surrounding the long table in the young adult Sunday school room at Christ Community filled up quickly. Ryan sat next to an empty one, his arm casually draped across the back in an unspoken claim. When Tori arrived, maybe she’d sit beside him, and he could get the coffee question out of the way.
    When Joan and Ken appeared in the doorway, he straightened and craned his neck to see behind them. Instead of Tori, he caught sight of the oldest Sanderson sister. Allie’s head moved as she scanned the room and when she