"Well, I think if we offer them two and a quarter million they will insist on three and we can come back with a firm two and a half," Joe said, walking to the large window overlooking the pool area.
"Yeah, that's been our target all along," Scott added. "What if they balk at two and a half?"
"We walk. There's other property in Florida," Joe replied.
The two investors had spent forty eight hours in Orlando scoping out a piece of land they had heard about the month before. From the suite of a luxury hotel, they attempted to finalize their approach to the seller. They were fairly new to the business and their small company needed this—plus a couple other opportunities—to make a splash and bring in new patrons.
Joe was thirty eight; Scott thirty five. They were single, rich, and well known for their love of good parties. Joe was taller, more athletic and a risk taker. Scott was the thinker and planner. The plan was to retire at fifty. This trip to Florida was key to those plans.
Joe stared down at the young mothers at the pool, but his mind was working on money.
"That Wilson dude seemed like an easy target," he said. "I don't think he'll turn down two and a half million dollars."
"What was the history of the sales of the land around it again?" Scott asked.
"Oh, I had that in the binder," Joe said, turning back into the room and gazing around. "Where'd we put that?"
Scott rummaged through a stack of things on a table nearest the couch. Joe did the same to a pile on a chair.
"Shit," Joe exclaimed.
"We couldn't have left that in Atlanta, could we?" Scott said with a hint of disgust.
"Damn it. We must have. We HAVE to have that binder, Scott."
"I know. I know," Scott said. "We'll have it shipped, I guess."
Joe was back at the window, pacing. A moment of silence passed, and then he looked at Scott with a wry grin.
"We need it tomorrow," Joe said calmly. "But what time tomorrow is not a big deal. We can have it driven down from Atlanta I suppose. That's maybe six and a half hours plus rest stops and food."
"Driven? By who?" Scott asked.
Joe's grin returned. He said, "I think that's a task for Alex."
Scott looked puzzled. "Why Alex? She hasn't been in on this project."
"So what?" Joe blurted. " What difference does that make driving a fucking binder from one city to another? She's not tied up on anything else and it won't kill her to spend a few days in sunny Orlando."
"She's been with us less than a month, Joe. I think her training with Cheryl is more important than a few days in Florida," Scott argued.
Joe rolled his eyes. "God damn it, Scott. Be creative for once in your life. Is there anybody else in the office you'd rather see at the pool or at one of the clubs around here than Alex? She's what...twenty three? Single? Gorgeous?"
Scott paced the floor accepting the verbal lashings from his partner.
"Alright. Send her down," Scott said grudgingly. "God knows she's better looking than you."
Joe was already sending the e-mail with instructions for Alex to get the binder, pack for three days, and arrive by five the next afternoon.
***
Alex was hired by Joe and Scott with the future in mind. She was a recent Georgia Tech graduate, with honors, earning a Bachelor's degree in marketing. The men were going to need a company spokesperson when they expanded and, dealing primarily with older men in their transactions, it seemed logical to hire a young, beautiful woman.
Her long, brown hair framed a faultless face. Her body and legs were perfectly proportioned. Alex was shy by nature, but not averse to taking risks when necessary. They interviewed nobody else after Joe saw her.
"What should I pack, Cheryl?" Alex asked her closest friend at work when the e-mail arrived.
"Do you want to work here for a while or not?" the middle-aged Cheryl asked her.
"Well, yeah."
"Then I'd suggest the smallest bikini you own...if you don't own one, buy one tonight...and shorts, t-shirts...tank tops especially, oh...and a short dress," Cheryl directed her. "Joe loves short dresses."
"Am I going to Orlando or Vegas?" Alex said with a perplexed stare.
"Kind of both. This trip may be more important than you think," Cheryl said.
"Whatever. But I don't get it," Alex admitted.
"You will," was Cheryl's reply.
Alex had all day the following day to 'get it.' By the time she was checked into her room at four o'clock, she had made up her mind exactly how she was going to handle the unexpected predicament she found herself in. She would be professional first, playful when appropriate, and cautious always.
They were lofty ambitions and utterly contrary to Joe's intentions, as Alex would quickly find out.
With the precious binder in hand, she made her way to Joe's suite. Before knocking she glanced down at her sleeveless blouse and shorts to make any final adjustments. She took a deep breath and tapped lightly on the door.
"You made it! Come on in, Alex," Joe said with a wide smile when the door opened.
"Hi, Scott," Alex said when she saw him on the couch.
"Hi, Alex. Good drive down?" he asked.
Alex shrugged. "Long, but no problems."
Joe stood next to her. "Sorry about you having to do this, but we absolutely had to have that file and when it came down to having some UPS dude bring it or you, we thought you might like a short working vacation."
"Thanks," she said. "Whatever you need me to do, let me know."
"Oh, we will. Have a seat," Joe told her.
They chatted for half an hour before Joe suggested they meet for dinner at six in the hotel restaurant.
"Then we'll see what's open in the area," he said. "You'll have to tell us what music you will and will not tolerate, Alex."
She laughed nervously and said, "Whatever you choose is fine, I'm sure."
Her first attempt at being professional brought a smile to Joe and Scott's faces.
Back in her room, Alex looked into the closet and considered Cheryl's advice. She reached for her newest dress, a black form-fitting halter top with a flared bottom. It almost reached her knees and may not have met Cheryl's requirement of being ultra-short, but it was the first night. She had shorter ones if the need to be playful arose.
The choice was met with approval by the men when they reassembled outside the restaurant. Dinner was served and eaten leisurely while the threesome talked. Alex began to recognize the dominance of Joe over the more sedate Scott, but she herself was more from Scott's mold and was somewhat attracted to, or at least intrigued by, the quieter man. This feeling was enforced during the couple of hours they spent at a nearby club. Because of Joe's habit of staying on the floor even after Alex quit, she ended up sitting alone with Scott quite a bit.
Close to midnight, they returned to the hotel. Scott was quick to head for his own room. But Joe turned to Alex and said, "Do you mind if we talk for ten minutes? I want to explain what we'll need tomorrow, and maybe beyond."
"Sure. Not too long, though," Alex requested. "It was a long day."
"Of course," Joe assured her as they entered his suite.
To reinforce her appeal, Alex remained standing when Joe began to explain.
"Tomorrow we are meeting in here with the guy who owns the property we want to buy," he said. "He has other properties we'd also be interested in, depending on how much he'll deal with us. This guy is really important to us, and to our future."
Alex nodded.
"If you are willing, Alex, you can play a major role in this transaction. One that will benefit all of us a great deal," Joe said, standing close by Alex's side.
"Oh? I thought I was on vacation?"
"I believe I said working vacation," Joe said quickly. "It's always your choice. You can head back to Atlanta at any time."
His tone made it clear to Alex which he would prefer.
"What are my choices?"
Joe said, "I'd like you to be in here when we meet with Wilson. He may need incentive to consider our offer, or he may want to celebrate afterwards. I think you showed tonight that you can entertain very nicely."
Alex nervously played with her necklace. "Define entertain," she finally said.
Joe smiled and stepped closer to Alex, facing her. He put his hands on her sides.
"You are much better looking than Scott and me, Alex. I'm sure Wilson would enjoy having you around. You could pay him special attention if the occasion came up," Joe said in his most charming voice.
Alex may have preferred Scott's personality, but she could never deny Joe's good looks and appeal. She nearly forgot what he was asking her to do as she looked into his eyes.
