The Mirror - Page 182

At exactly nine-oh-one, she heard the ping of an incoming email. She nearly ignored it, but paused her work. If her client wanted another change, best to know now.

But the message came from Ryder, and Miranda Ryder’s assistant, informing her Ms. Ryder wished to arrange a Zoom call at Sonya’s earliest convenience.

“Shit, shit.” Sonya pushed up to pace.

Too soon for good news, she calculated. But maybe, maybe, they just wanted a follow-up. Like a callback? Or they had a few questions.

Possible, she decided. Not probable, but possible.

“Just get it over with, Sonya.”

Clover offered classic optimism in “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

“Right. It’s fine. Absolutely fine. It’s been a valuable experience.”

She sat, emailed back that she was available now or would make herself available at a time that suited Ms. Ryder.

Then she gulped down water, wishing she’d grabbed a Coke instead. Especially when the response came immediately with the link.

“I guess that means right freaking now. God, I didn’t think how I look!” Panicked, she grabbed the emergency video call makeup out of her desk drawer.

After a quick application, she took a breath, squared her shoulders. And clicked on the link.

“No music now, Clover,” she murmured, and entered the room.

“Good morning, Ms. MacTavish. Thank you for your quick response.”

“Good morning. It’s nice to speak with you again.”

Behind Miranda, the bookshelves held books, awards, photos. On a counter, and to the left of her shoulder, stood a vase holding an arrangement of white flowers.

“Again, on behalf of Ryder Sports, I’d like to thank you for the creativity and energy of your presentation.”

At the words, so cool and polite, Sonya felt her stomach sink, and braced for the kiss-off.

“It was a valuable opportunity for me.”

“As a woman in the first year of running her own…” Miranda trailed off. “Are you in a library?”

“In my home, yes. I work at home, and use the library as my office.”

“It is a turret?”

“Yes, it is. My uncle…” Too complicated, she decided instantly. And it only postponed the inevitable. “I inherited the family home in Maine last winter.”

“It’s very impressive. In any case, we’ve given your presentation and direction serious consideration, as we have By Design’s. I will say, those directions are divergent. You did an excellent job with yours, Ms. MacTavish.”

“Thank you. I can say, sincerely, I appreciate the opportunity, and enjoyed stretching into a creative challenge of this scope. I understand a company with Ryder’s longevity and reputation requires a more established team.”

“Do you?” Miranda offered the barest hint of a smile. “There are some who agree with that. I’m not one of them, and I’m not alone in my opinion. Or in the decision to go with Visual Art and in your direction.

“Congratulations.”

For two slow beats, Sonya’s mind went and stayed blank.

“You’re… giving me the account?”

“That’s correct. Burt Springer wanted to make this call, but I overruled him. He will, however, be in touch later this morning to discuss the terms. He feels confident you’ll come to an agreement.”