I’ll never have enough of you, NEVER!

Harper;

I can’t believe I’m actually speaking up at work.

This is like high school debates in US government class all over again.

Minus the puking.

Well, for now at least. We’ll see how the next couple of minutes go.

It’s intimidating enough that Natalie’s looking at me like she waiting for my idea’s, it’s like she’s hoping for an epic idea like homemade seasoned Curley fries. Lol but the way her brother is looking at me right now?

I don’t really know how to describe it, but pre usual, his intense, stoic stare is discombobulating enough to wipe out every last coherent thought in mind. “Um…” I begin.

“Yes,Harper ?” Natalie prompts, her tone encouraging- she really is an amazing boss.

At the same time Nathan gaze drop down to laser in on my mouth, looking because I’m biting the heck out of my bottom lip, which was precisely what had given me away that time I got interrogated in the principal’s office after eating an earthworm for lunch the same day he pantsed on the playground.

“5 piece suits,” I blurt out, Completely Flustered.

Well, that’s just put the cart a mile before the horse in my entire pitch.

Great, now everyone is looking at me like I’ve lost my mind.

Taking a slow, deep breath, and I start again.

I was thinking for Valentine’s Day, we could build a new line with different 5 piece lingerie sets for women, sort of how men have 5 piece suits .”

Natalie frown’s, and Lillian smiles like I just belched my idea to the room.

We already sell some multi-piece sets, Harper.

What makes what you’re suggesting

innovative?“ Asks Natalie, while Lillian sits back and rolls her eyes.

Ugh. I hate eye - rolling. It’s so f*****g rude.

I might be quiet, but no here has ever ever dismissed my contributions. I do amazing work, Damn it.

Bolstered with irritation now, I unzip my folder to let my sketches help do some of the talking for me. And as soon as my sketches hit the table, Lillian’s sneer turns hateful.

That’s right, you big bully. You know as well as I do that my sketches always earn high praise.

Shoving her to the back of my mind, I launch into my pitch just as I’d practiced it all week. “ If we think about the winter holidays, we don’t think about the ham or the tree, but above the entire experience -Eve to morning.

Combine that with our tired and true marketing angle highlighting how women like to pick out her dress and lingerie for her big Valentine date,

I think we could have a day- long experience for our customers, whatever their plans are are for Valentine’s Day this year…

Using various 5 piece lingerie sets to tie it all together. Spreading my sketches out, I start pointing out different pieces.

“We’d create pieces to coordinate the woman’s entire day ~ from sun up to sun down ~ and design them in the style that reflects her, not the commercial representative of Valentine’s Day.”

“Oh,” Natalie stands to get a closer look at the closest sketch.

“So you’re saying that these pieces wouldn’t be intended as gifts to be given to women on Valentine’s Day, but rather, sets bought by the women themselves before hand to make the day special.”

“Or there significant other. But yes, our customers would have and use the lingerie from the moment they woke up on Valentine’s Day. I know whenever I buy a special item to wear for a special occasion, I get ecstatic about wearing it long before the big day, and end up feeling like special occasion is already underway as soon as I put it on.” I search for specific sketches to show how much of a variety we could have done for the different sets. “Some women may want a nice silky robe to where at the start of there day, meanwhile others may want a special dress, and others may just want a nice loose silk shirt with matching silk shorts. Or we might even try considering being more practical for those in colder climates, but still design the thermals to be special and sexy. From there, we coordinate items through the day and then the after dark plans. Whether it’s a lacy set, or an tube gown to relax and sit in front of the fire.”

Lillian scoffs. “You mean for the sad loser’s how don’t actually have a date. HaHaHa.”

All right, that’s enough. “Who said being single on Valentine’s Day deserve’s to have negativity coming at them?” We do not need anyone pushing hate and bloody hearts on that day.

Personally, I’d Love to see a Valentine commercial with single women having a fun girl’s night where they’ll all come together and celebrate love and romance instead of hating on it. Or even an add of women just pampering herself - hell, throw in a Vibrator or even a dildo and flavored lube if that’s to lame for you. What’s wrong with a little self love?

My colleagues chuckled a little bit over that one.

While Lillian gives me another eye-roll. “Which I’m sure you have plenty of experience with.”

“I do.” I confirmed, not in the least embarrassed…that is, until I realize she probably means my having plenty of experience with a vibrator.

Ugh, this woman. Now I may get rattled by Nathan, but Lillian doesn’t scare me. “My Friday night fun aside,” I joke, earning more chuckles that helps me to move right along. “I don’t think I’m alone when I say I genuinely enjoy helping the couples I know celebrate romance in their lives. Whether it’s helping my brother pick out a gift for his girlfriend or babysitting for my sisters kids so she and her husband can have a date night. Seeing love happen all around for other’s even if your single can absolutely still be special- it is on the other days of the year so why not on Valentine’s, too?

That causes heads to nod all around the room, while Lillian silently fumes.

“Anyway,” I regroup, like I was saying we’d Tailor the sets to the different women’s styles ~ sweet, Super hot, sexy and everything in between you imagine what you want and we’ll have it.”

Sara from marketing asks curiously, "so no racy bits for Valentine’s Day nookie at all?” I feel my face heat up, and you can call me crazy but I swear I can feel Nathan’s penetrating gaze fixed right on me,

“Yes of course there will be racy bit options. I honestly think we should build the sets with 7 or hell even 10 coordinating options and let the women choose the 5 pieces they want that their personal style, there lifestyle, and there plans for the day. So, for an example, some bold designs for badass corporate women to wear under there suits or even lingerie that could double as swimsuits for those in there tropics.” I finally stop talking then and just let everyone take it all in.