Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 60497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Rainey smiles. “Take your time. Kaylee is out meeting with a client, and I don’t need any help here.”
Ashlynn takes her bag and slings it over her shoulder. “I’ll be back later. Bye!” She walks out, leaving us alone, which won’t help with my restraint, either.
“Well, welcome to Golden Palm Events,” Rainey says with a sweep of her arm. “Come on back.”
I head behind Ashlynn’s desk and come up beside Rainey. Unable to help myself, I lean down and brush a kiss over her soft cheek.
She blinks in surprise, but I don’t miss the shudder that ripples through her body. “What was that for?” she asks.
I grin. “A hello. I wanted to, and now we’re even.” For the light touch of her lips that I haven’t been able to get out of my mind since last week.
Blushing and speechless, she tips her head toward the inner office area. “Come in and I’ll show you around. This is the office.” She gestures to two desks across from one another. “Kaylee and I wanted to be close so we can talk through ideas,” she explains.
The shared space is modern with light cream hardwood floors, and a combination of plum and the same cream paint on the walls. Matching area rugs are strategically placed on the floor and facing us behind the desks are partition doors hiding what’s behind them.
Rainey steps over and slides one side open. I follow her into a designer’s dream of pinboards containing ideas, photos, fabrics and more, surrounded by walls and windows.
I can’t help but be impressed with the business she and Kaylee have built. “This place is amazing.”
She turns to me, smiling. “I love it. I really wanted a loft with open space and when I found this available for rent, I knew it was perfect.” She gestures for me to follow, and we walk to a table by a window set with water bottles and what looks like fresh muffins. “I thought we could sit here and discuss my concepts and see if you’re interested in partnering Midnight with the Thunder’s 50th anniversary season.”
“And you’re buttering me up with food?” I ask, picking up a muffin and taking a bite. Blueberry sweetness explodes on my tongue.
She laughs and the sound echoes in the room. “I hadn’t thought about it that way, but if it works, it works.”
“Let’s say you’re off to a good start.” I pull out a chair and sweep my arm, indicating she should sit.
“Thank you,” she murmurs, lowering herself into the seat. “I appreciate it. Not all men are that polite.”
I raise a shoulder, though she can’t see. “I didn’t grow up with parents who taught me manners—” Yelling at each other was more like it. “But my adopted family did.” Now why had I admitted even that much about my past?
I already know what her parents thought of me way back when Jack became my friend. Though I don’t know if their opinion has changed in the years since, I don’t care. I know my own worth. Another lesson courtesy of the Carras family and one I was happy to learn.
“I’m glad they were there for you when you needed them,” she says, without questioning me more about my past.
I nod. “They’re good people.”
“Jack really likes them,” she murmurs.
I sit beside her. “So, where do we begin?” I ask, eager to change the subject.
“Okay, our proposal to the Thunder involves a huge pre-season party for the team, their significant others, front office staff, and the like. I’d love to have that at Midnight, and before you say no because you’d have to close up for a night, I have permission to make it worth your while.”
“You’ve piqued my interest. Go on.”
After Rainey mentioned wanting to meet with us, my partners and I already discussed the possibility of teaming up with the Thunder and agreed it will be a win-win for both businesses. The details will need to be hammered out, and I need to hear more of what Rainey has to say, but I’m going into this meeting with an open mind.
She continues her pitch, describing the connection she thinks Midnight and Golden Palm Events can make with combined charity outreach. We discuss celebrating the history of the team and the legendary coaches and players who have come before. She’s already spoken to the PR people in the front office about creating a highlight reel to be shown during halftime of the first game, and she suggests that Midnight open a concession booth featuring specialty cocktails geared toward the team’s name.
“And the pièce de résistance? I have a meeting with the curator of a local museum to discuss a temporary historical exhibit to display team memorabilia, such as photographs, old uniforms, and trophies. It’s going to be bigger than just one or two anniversary events.” She sounds as proud of herself as she should be as she winds up her pitch. “And I realize some of this doesn’t involve Midnight, but what do you think of the parts that do?”