Perfect Fit - Brenda Jackson [9]
Sage nodded. She had heard through the grapevine that Denmark had gotten a nice contract with Landmark Industries, a company known for its upscale industrial parks and shopping malls. And if she wasn’t mistaken, she recalled reading in Black Enterprise magazine that the construction company awarded the contract to build the resort was owned by two black men from Detroit. That in itself was impressive.
“I’d love to attend the seminar, Mr. Poole.”
“Good. I’ve also invited Rose Woods to represent our advertising department. The meeting is next week.”
Sage nodded. She liked Rose and considered her a good friend as well as a coworker. They were the only two sistahs with management positions within the company. Occasionally, they got together after work for drinks and to talk. In a company like Denmark where competition was the name of the game, it was important that they maintained a clear head, kept their feet level with the ground, stayed in constant prayer and watched each other’s backs. “Thanks, sir. Is there anything else?”
“No, Ms. Dunbar, that will be all. Again I want to commend you and your staff on a job well done.”
She smiled as she stood. “Thank you, Mr. Poole.”
“Girl, I can’t believe Stephen Poole is taking the both of us, two sistahs, with him to that meeting in Alaska. You should have seen Grace Holder’s face when he announced it this morning in our weekly staff meeting. She thought that she would be the one going with him.”
“Grace thought she would be going?” Sage asked after taking a large sip of iced tea. They had met after work at a soul food restaurant they frequently patronized. “Why would she think that? You have more seniority with the company.”
Rose grinned. “I think mainly because the two of them have been sleeping together.”
Sage leaned back in her chair, shocked. Grace had begun working for the company right out of college a little over a year ago, and Sage thought Grace had a steady boyfriend. “Grace and Mr. Poole? You got to be kidding.”
“No, I’m not, although I admit he’s been more discreet with her than the others, probably because of their ages, but I know for a fact something is going on. Last month I came back to the office one night after remembering I had left something. It was late, way past eleven o’clock, and I ran into them coming out of his office.”
“That late at night?”
“Yes, and it was evident from the looks on their faces that they had been caught doing something. And although Grace had tried putting her clothes back on straight, it was obvious she had been out of them.”
Sage’s eyes widened. “But what about her boyfriend? The one who lives in D.C. and works for the government. The last I heard they were talking marriage.”
“They broke up a few months ago, and she was all shook up about it. I guess with Stephen Poole’s help, she’s gotten over him.”
Sage shook her head, shocked at the number of women in the office who were or had been involved with Mr. Poole. She couldn’t help wondering what was going on with him. He was taking affairs in the workplace to a whole new level. “What is it with him?” she finally asked Rose. “Hasn’t he heard of sexual harassment in the workplace?”
Rose grinned. “I guess in his estimation, it’s consenting sex and not harassment. From what I’ve heard, he makes it understood that sleeping with him isn’t a guarantee of any special treatment or advancement within the company. In other words, any woman sharing his bed is wasting her time if she thinks she’s banging her way to the top.”
Sage shook her head. “Then, why do it?”
Rose chuckled. “I guess some of them get off at the thought of sleeping with the boss. But then, Sage, you have to admit he’s pretty good on the eyes for an older man, suave and sexy. Hell, he could pass for Richard Gere’s twin, and that’s saying a lot.”
Sage did have to admit the man was good-looking, but he just didn’t do anything for her and told Rose as much. But from the way Rose’s eyes were sparkling, evidently he did do something for her. “But don’t you think he’s too old for