Erica and Austin Meet

Erica saw Austin in the hotel lobby. Austin got up and motioned to walk over to the business conference room. As the door closed behind her Erica said hello.

Erica: Whaaaat up?!? How was the weekend?

Austin: Um good. How was yours?

Erica: You know. The usual. Housework. Boring. Why are we meeting? Got a lead for me?

Austin: Well you could say that. Listen Erica, this is going to catch you by surprise but I'll be leaving the firm in a year. I wanted

Erica erupted

Erica: YOU'RE DOING WHAT?!?! You can't leave. You're one of the top performers and I love working with you. You've single-handedly launched my career from shit to success. You're making a mistake.

Erica's response caught Austin a little off guard. There was a sense of entitlement in her voice. Does she think that I'm here for her career? I've helped built this place. I'm not her admin. On any other day Austin would have brushed this off.

Austin: Listen Erica, I can understand the concern. I have to do what's right for me. I have a job offer with a company in the AI space. It's a job that's going to launch my career. With all due respect, I'm not here to help you advance. I'm here to help me advance and I can't go any farther.

Erica could sense that Austin was a little pissed at her initial response.

Erica: Hey, I get it. Sorry, the reaction was just because you caught me off guard.

After about five minutes of pleasantries Erica brought up Austin's accounts.

Erica: So, who is getting your accounts? You know I would handle them well and make you look good.

Austin: Well that's kind of why I called you in here. I have a proposal for you.

Erica: Leeeet me guess. You want 20% of my paycheck for the next two years?

Austin: No, I don't want money. I have that.

Erica: Then what do you want?

Austin: You

Erica: What? I'm confused. You want me to come work with you?

Austin: No. I want you physically. I will give you all of my accounts if you date me for three days a month over the next year.

Austin was nervous even making the proposal. Why did I say date? I didn't mean date. I meant fuck. That's what Jason wants. He could tell Erica sensed where this is going.

Erica: Ummmm did you forget about my fiancee? I like you Austin, but I don't see you like that. You're a great guy and you have no shortage of women clawing at you.

Austin: I know both of our situations. This is my price to give you all of my accounts. Take it or leave it. We either have our first date tomorrow night or the proposal is off. You can find your own way to manager.

With that Erica got up without saying a word. Austin thought he had fucked everything up but what did Jason expect? He's not some gigolo. He doesn't routinely pressure women into sex. Austin called Jason, but it went immediately to voicemail.