Jason

The day Rose begins as acting director of Halsey Media, I meet her in the lobby with a caramel macchiato and she gives me a kiss on the cheek. This would normally make me uncomfortable, but today I love it, because she does it right in front of Pearson. Suck it, Mr. Creative Director.

“I’ve missed this face,” she says, squeezing my cheeks between her thumb and forefinger. I’m tempted to remind her that sexual harassment works both ways, but I’m too busy measuring Knox’s reaction to our cozy reunion.

“I see you two know each other,” he says from the etched-glassed entryway. I shoot him a cheese-eating grin.

“Jason’s one of the best creatives here at Halsey, Knox. I expect you to use him wisely.” She beams at me, even as I wince at her choice of words.

“Oh, I plan on it,” he replies. I roll my eyes and decide it’s time for me to make my exit.

“Duty calls. Rose, it’s been a pleasure, as always. Let me know if you need anything.” I pause for a second. “Pearson.” I nod and make my exit.

See, I can be professional.

Krys hisses my name from the break room as I stride by.

“Why are we whispering?” I hiss back.

“Just get in here,” she says at regular volume. She’s eating a submarine sandwich at 8:15 in the morning, which would be a peculiar look on anyone other than her.

“You’ve got five minutes. I’ve got a pitch at nine, and I’m not ready.” She pushes her bag of chips towards me, and I take a handful.

“Fine, I’ll cut to the chase. I don’t trust that Rose woman.”

“What’s not to trust? She’s here to rubber stamp things until Mr. H gets back.” I wipe potato chip crumbs off my tie and change the subject. “By the way, do you have time to print out a few vision boards for me? I tried last night before I left, but the machine wasn’t cooperating.”

“You’re not listening. I caught her rummaging through Mr. H’s files when I got in this morning. In the dark. It was weird.”

“She works here, Krys. She has the right to go through whatever files she wants.”

“If you’d seen her, you’d understand. It was weird. And when she saw me, she shoved everything back in the file drawer. Like she’d been caught doing something she shouldn’t.”

“I wonder what made her feel like that? Could it have been you bumbling around in the dark like you were in a bad episode of Scooby Doo?”

“Fine, mock me, but don’t come crying when she traps you in the copy room and forces you to sell all Mr. H’s secrets to the competition.”

“What secrets? What competition?”

“How should I know? That’s why they’re called secrets, Jase.”

I sigh and brace my palms on the table. “Your five minutes are up. I love you, but you’re going to have to take your van full of meddling kids and snoop on your own.”

She frowns as I bend to kiss the top of her head. “I hate you,” she whispers.

“No, you don’t.”

“Whatever. Can we have Chipotle for lunch?”

“You got it.” We say our goodbyes and I finally get to my office, only to find four sticky notes on my door, three of which involve fires I need to put out immediately. It’s a full hour before I see the light at the end of the tunnel, and by then I’m in dire need of coffee. I’m about to go in search of a cup when I hear a light tap at my door.

“Have you got a minute, Jason?”

“Rose,” I say, swallowing my impatience. “Come on in.”

“I don’t want to keep you, I just have a few quick questions.”

“Shoot,” I say, settling back in my seat.

“I need some information about our financials. You’ve always been such a help, and Barbara’s not really…accessible at this point.”

“Not accessible?”

“Well, darling, she is kind of difficult, isn’t she?” I’m not quite sure what she’s talking about, because Barbara’s the most helpful person I’ve ever worked with, but I nod knowingly. Rose is my best chance of putting Knox Pearson in his place, and I need to cultivate our relationship.

“Barbara’s great, but she’s almost always swamped. Maybe I can help out.” I give her my most sincere smile, and she returns it.

“Well, my main concern is our solvency. My dear brother is a creative genius, but he’s not as talented when it comes to the financial side of things. I’d like to see profit reports going back five years, plus a market analysis for the upcoming year. And I’ll need full access to the books.”

Whoa. I clear my throat and frame my response carefully.

“Rose, I certainly want to be helpful, but I don’t see why you’ll need that much data if Robert is coming back in four months. Unless you know something I don’t?”

“Oh, no worries.” Rose gives a sharp laugh. “Robert will be back well before it’s medically advisable, I’m sure. But I worry about his long-term health. If there’s some way I can lighten his burden, I’d like to try.”

“I understand. Let me see what I can do.” I have no idea if Barb will relinquish access to the books, but I can certainly ask.

“I knew I could count on you, Jason. I want you to know, I had some cross words with Robert when he chose that Knox person as creative director over you. He seems competent enough, but he’s no Jason Reynolds.”

I try to keep my face calm as I digest this. She fought for me over Knox?

“Knox is a very talented guy.” Why am I defending him?

“I’m sure he is, but you have proven yourself again and again, Jason. I think that kind of loyalty should be rewarded.”

“Thank you, Rose. I appreciate the vote of confidence.”

“Don’t forget, Jason. We’re on the same side.” She stands and winks at me before she leaves, and I’m left with more questions than I can count. But the one that floats to the top is-

What side is she talking about?