“How can I help you, Carson?” I asked. I crossed my arms over my chest, mimicking his stance, and met and held his gaze. “I assumed you said everything you needed to say to me in the elevator.”

I saw his eyes flash at that. Let him wonder if I was going to make a thing of it.

He turned to Lexi with charm oozing out of his every pore. “Hi, I’m Carson West, the senior art director, and you are?”

He held out his hand. I wanted to slap Lexi’s hand away from his. I didn’t want him to contaminate her. Instead, I watched as she shook his hand.

“Lexi Brewer,” she said. “New client.”

She gave him nothing more. I could have hugged her right there, but it would have been awkward so instead I gestured to my office behind him and said, “Lexi’s on a very tight schedule, so if you’ll excuse us.”

Unfortunately, Carson didn’t take the hint. Instead, he looked from Lexi to me and asked, “And what is it we’ll be doing here for you, Lexi? As the senior art director, I’d like to be in the loop.”

I blinked. Was he insane? Was he actually standing there, including himself in my meeting with my client? That was . . . no, just no!

“Um.” Lexi looked at me, obviously sensing the bad vibe between us and uncertain of how to answer.

“As the creative director, I’m the key client point person, so I’ll be managing Lexi’s account,” I said. I hoped my voice came out firm, shutting down any idea he had of jumping in on this project without being invited. “When we’re ready for your input, I’ll let you know.”

“I know the collaborative thing is a struggle for you, Annabelle,” Carson said. He glanced at Lexi and added, “She’s new. But that’s how we do things here. We’re not solo units. We work as a team. Right, Miguel?”

I glanced over my shoulder to see Miguel standing in his office door, watching us with a speculative stare. I realized Carson had said what he did to make me look bad in front of Miguel. Argh.

“That’s right,” Miguel agreed. He glanced at me. “New client?”

“Yes,” I said. To my relief, Sophie came out of her office as well. Finally, I had some backup. Sophie’s eyes met mine, and I could see the question in them. Is this the big client? I nodded and she ran with it.

“Annabelle, is this the client you mentioned at our staff meeting?” she asked.