Two can play this game, Ben thought. He just had to figure out the rules—and still ask for that reference.
Tracy introduced everyone by name and offered him a drink. He accepted. Not only would Susie consider it rude if he declined, but staying longer would allow him to network. No one knew anything about him other than what Tracy had already shared, and her about-face with him suggested it was positive. He could control his own narrative and keep his options open. Another bonus. Whatever game Tracy thought she was playing, Ben had the upper hand.
She brought him a cup of tea. Of course. What else would Pauline’s best friend serve? It was just as well. A small burst of caffeine would improve his bedtime performance.
Evening performance. For f—udge’s sake. Ben had to watch his language not only for potential innuendoes, but he had to match his language to the crowd. Tracy didn’t swear, so he could assume her friends here didn’t either. He could keep himself from swearing. But Tracy looked so sexy in her work clothes tonight. And she had her hair pulled up and had already outsmarted him once this evening… Everything about her said Type A, someone who always thrusted ahead.
Oh, s—ugar.
“So, why are you in town?” asked a woman named Sabine who was the owner of a German bakery in Belmont Village.
Happy to be brought back to Earth, Ben answered eloquently. He had prepared for this question from Tracy, but he could give Sabine the same answer. “I realized it was time to leave my job in Toronto. I was on my way to my sister’s in New Hamburg, but a car accident’s keeping me here.” Ben waited not only for the expected reactions of concern and sympathy but also to see if anyone mentioned Tracy. He didn’t want to embarrass her, given that he still believed the accident was her fault, no matter what the official decision had been.
When no one mentioned her, he said, “I’m fine, thank you, but my car’s in the garage for at least a week.” He’d just saved Tracy from embarrassment with her friends. That should help with the reference, especially since part of the front end of his very expensive car now looked like a beginner’s origami project.
He continued, ad libbing by adding the one detail he knew all small business owners desired. “But sports marketing is too cutthroat, so now I’m looking for something challenging but fulfilling, something that will reignite my passion for marketing.”
Nods all around. He’d impressed them. Excellent.
But when he smiled at Tracy, he realized he’d done it again: fallen into her bed.
Um, her trap.
“We have the perfect offer for you while you’re looking for something fulfilling,” Tracy said smoothly. “You see, one of our committee members has come down with pneumonia and can’t complete his duties as the marketing coordinator. Our festival is just over two weeks away and we’re looking for a volunteer to fill his role. I thought you might be interested. It’s very challenging: festival attendance has been waning for some time.”
Everyone stared at him. Ben Landry did not volunteer. It was a dog-eat-dog world out there, his dad had always said.
“Well, I’m honoured,” Ben lied. “But I’ll be taking the first bus to New Hamburg in the morning. I can give you some guidance right now, though.” Ben offered some advice. He pushed down the frustration he felt for giving advice for free, reminding himself that if it got him that reference and consequently that CMO position, he would consider that compensation.
He responded to questions for easily fifteen minutes. Everything looked promising again.
“So, that’s what I recommend,” he said, wrapping things up. “Shouldn’t take you too much time. From the sounds of it, it’s the engagement stage of the sales funnel you really need to focus on now. I don’t think you’ll have too much trouble with awareness. Everyone in Belmont and Westmount has friends and relatives. Have them help you spread the word more. Really make it a friends-and-family event.”
This was going perfectly. Tracy would look silly to turn down his request for a reference.
Tracy couldn’t have been more grateful for Ben Landry’s ego in that moment. She went for the kill. “So, you have time to help us?”
Ben swallowed, clearly trying to contain his surprise. “What?”
“I’ve seen you in action, Ben.” Always good to mention a person’s name. “The fundraiser you put together this past summer for the children’s hospital was fabulous.” She felt guilty leaving out Pauline’s name this one time, but she needed to keep stroking Ben’s ego.
She addressed the group. “You should’ve seen the video he created—the stories he highlighted about the families being helped were touching and beautifully told, and the video itself was gorgeous.” Tracy’s heart skipped a beat as she remembered his work. “You designed all that, right?” Ben nodded and sipped his tea. “You just shared so many incredible ideas with us, Ben, and you said it wouldn’t take much time—”
“I said it wouldn’t take you much time. I’m busy searching for my next great fulfillment.”
Tracy was certain Ben Landry was not searching for fulfillment. Money, yes. Fulfillment? Heck, no. But she had a festival to pull off in the midst of everything else.
“I’m guessing you’re not searching for fulfillment in sports marketing, since it’s so cutthroat?”
Ben took another sip of his tea, probably to stall for time. Checkmate again.
“So,” Tracy continued. “Wouldn’t it make sense to get a little experience outside your main industry? Just among the six of us are six different industries, and Belmont Village actually includes a couple dozen businesses. That’s a lot of potential connections. Not to mention a lot of potential references.”
Ben’s lips tightened.
