When Harry Met Hannah

Chapter 2: Still Hannah

Hannah was sure that Clark was the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on. Not that she was very experienced in the dating world, but to her, Clark was Adonis among men. The younger of the two Harris brothers towered over Hannah at an easy six foot two. He had corn silk blonde hair that he wore long because his brother had already lost all of his, or so Clark claimed. His eye were a crystaline blue, a color that could be unnerving to most but that Hannah adored on him. His skin held a natural deep tan from days spent on his boat. All in all, Clark was one hunky, muscular piece os male specimen. Hannah giggled in response to his question.

"Wow Clark, with all that flattery you could make a girl blush." Clark shoved off the door framed and sauntered over to the conference table fingering the glossy folders Hannah had placed there.

"Pink looks so lovely on you though, Hannah." Clark said smiling as he turned her way. There was something about him, his quiet sense of power she guessed, that made her insides turn into complete jelly. Sure they were almost ten years apart in age, but his flirtatious attention almost always made Hannah melt into a pool at his feet. Today, however, was not a good day for melting of any kind. Hanna knew that under Clark's coy exterior, he was a bundle of nerves over today's meeting which was only a few hours away now.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Come on Mr. Smooth Operator, we have a presentation and document to review. you can sweet talk me later."

Clark feigned offense at Hannah's words, "Smooth Operator? Is that all I am to you?"

Hannah just smirked and shook her head as she made her way out of the conference room and over to Clark's office trusting that Clark would follow close behind.

"No," she said as she opened the presentation on Clark's computer, "you are also my amazing boss whom, I might add, has a huge meeting with an even bigger client this morning. So I suggest we get started, hm?" Hanna said as she made her way over to one of the leather guest chairs in front of Clark's desk.

"Oh, if you insist," Clark said still grinning at her. Hannah just rolled her eyes and readied her tablet to take notes on things Clark wanted to change before the final presentation.

About forty-five mintues later Clark's brow finally unfurrowed and he sat back in his chair with a sigh. "Other than re-doing the color scheme and insuring we include their logo on the doc pages, I think we are good to go on this one."

Hannah was scribbling on her tablet with her stylus when Clark's words caught her attention. Looking up at him she was met with an unnerving stare from Clark causing yet another blush to rise to her cheeks.

"Did you hear that?" he laughed.

"Yes," Hannah answered slowly.

"But...?" Clark prompted knowing she had more she wanted to say but was unsure if it was her place or not.

"But," Hannah sighed, "I don't think that's a great idea."

"And why not?" Clark asked, propping his elbows up and steepling his fingers to rest on his pursed, full lips. Hannah had to work extremely hard to drag her gaze away from his mouth and up to his eyes.

"Because," Hannah started, "We don't represent them, we represent Clark and Walker. This entire presentation is all about us selling ourselves to them and the author they've picked. We can't do that effectively if we've peppered a red, white, blue, orange, green presentation with a bunch of logos like we are in the fan club. We need to present who we are as a company. A family business who keeps our employees close but our clients closer and treats everyone with respect and in high regard. If they wanted a company who will treat them like they're screaming fans do then they wouldn't have scheduled the meeting with us." At this, Clark stood up and began pacing the office space between his desk and the large bookcases behind it. He paused after a few strides and turned to Hannah opening his coat and bracing his hands on his lean, muscular hips. He look at her for what seemed forever. Hannah began gnawing on her lower lip under his scrutiny. Finally, after a while he spoke.

"Your point is valid. But I want them to see that we have taken an interest and have familiarized ourselves with the empire they have cultivated here and abroad. I also want them to see that what is in their best interest is also out primary interest." Clark sighed and leaned forward on his desk hanging his head. "If we land this deal it will put Clark and Walker on the map for national growth. This is the biggest opportunity we have ever had," Clark raised his head and looked directly at Hannah, "and probably ever will have. We can't lose this opportunity and I'm afraid that if we don't reflect any interest at all in what they're doing we will look like a tiny, desperate publishing company and they'll walk to something bigger." Hannah put her tablet aside and left her perch of the guest chair and leaned across Clark's desk meeting him eye for eye.

"Clark, you will nail this account. Regardless if we are a small operation or not, they contacted us.These guys have created an image with he public by being humble even amongst the glitz and the glamour that has befallen them. I think they want to stick to those roots, that's why they came to Clark and Walker, to you, because they're just people Clark. And it's because of that humility they reflect that we should not change this presentation to reflect their monopoly. They dont want glitz, glamour, and screaming fans for this project. They want to reflect their true selves, and if we present the clean cut image of professionalism everything we stand for, without all the frills, then I think we have a shot. But I'm telling you now you change it, you'll lose them." Hannah finished her spiel, but she continued to stare Clark down. She didn't want him to give in and change his image only to fit a mold that he thought his clients wanted when she knew, in her gut, they didn't. Clark's gaze raked from her eyes, down to her firm set mouth, to the cleavage Hannah just now realized she must be showing, and back up. When his eyes met hers again she realized his breathing had picked up and his pupils had dilated. His irises were a darker shade, almost a midnight blue. She could feel his breath fan her face and she couldn't resist dipping her gaze down to his full lips and then back up to his eyes. Her pulse began to quicken at their proximity and her stomach was doing somersaults inside her. He leaned in, just slightly, and she thought, just for a split second, that he might kiss her. Just as the thought flitted across her mind, Clark shoved off his desk away from her and resumed his pacing. Hannah pushed off his desk and crossed her arms over her chest. After a measure of pacing, Clark finally faced her and cracked a smile.

"Alright, we'll do this your way. I think you're right in that we should adequately represent Clark and Walker publishing to the fullest extent possible. Plus, with you there how could I lose?"

Hannah rejoiced internally at her success. She had spent numerous hours herself researching both the author and his clientele's interests. She felt she knew them both rather well from what she had discovered and was happy that Clark trusted her judgement enough to have a go at things her way.

"Excuse me, Mr. Walker?" Kim interrupted. "Your clients just called and they need to move the meeting up. They said they are on their way now."

"Now?" Clark shrieked. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, sir. They were very adamant. Something about an emergency press release that is to happen later this afternoon. They want to go ahead with our meeting to be there and available for the media as needed.

Clark sat down heavily in his chair and scrubbed his hands over his face. Hannah walked over to the door of Clark's office where Kim stood.

"Thanks Kim, we'll be ready. Will you be sure to put an extra pot of coffee int he conference room along with some refreshments as well?" Hannah asked.

"Course sugar, good luck darlin'." Kim said as she sauntered out of the room tot he row of conference rooms and opened up the first of the four they had. It was the largest of all the rooms they had to offer and Hannah smiled to herself that Kim knew exactly which on Hannah would have already set up for the meeting in, being that the first room was the nicest.

Hannah turned her attention back to Clark, "I'm going to go lay out the presentation folders. I'll see you in there." Clark sighed heavily.

"I hope this goes well." he said.

Hannah turned round and looked at him, "It'll be fine Clark," she said, mimicking Kim's earlier sentiment when Hannah arrived at work, "After all, you've got me." She grinned at him before she left and thought she saw the hint of a smile playing on his lips. Oh yes, today was off to a great start.