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“How?”
“Okay, so think of it like prom.” Pointing to the farthest corner of the room, I break it down. “Let’s start with the rich girls. They’re likely here because their daddies said no more yacht parties if they didn’t make an appearance. But they’ll have social media skills that are beyond our understanding.”
“You definitely just called us old, but carry on.”
I roll my eyes, grinning when I motion to the bar. “See those guys in their boots? Those are our blue-collar workers. They’re going to be contractors, painters, and pipe layers. We’ll wanna talk to them first because they’re less likely to want to discuss business once they’ve eaten.”
His watchful eyes scan each group, catching on quickly. “That leaves us with the suits.”
“Exactly. They’ll have the bankroll we need to make this whole thing happen, but big business folks are notoriously slippery. Which means we’ll have to charm their pants off, and fast.”
“And you say you aren’t good at this,” Logan says, grinning proudly.
My heartbeat quickens at his approval, and I preen beneath that stare. “It’s wildly unfair that I can’t kiss you right now.”
He winks. “Keep that energy, sunshine. You’re going to need it.”
When the woman on stage ends her speech, I turn and offer him my hand. “We’ll each start with one group, then switch to seal the deal.”
Clasping my palm, he gives it a secure shake. “Let’s do this.”
We split up, and I head straight for the bar while Logan swaggers toward the young ladies in the corner, instantly wooing them with a whole lot of charm.
I make small talk with the men, throwing a few jokes around before getting to know them better. It’s a fool-proof tactic that helps me when trying to figure out what I need from my target.
When we get ready to switch, we pass each other by the drink table, low-fiving with matching smirks.
I lower my voice. “Blue shirt wants more deets. Says he and his son are just starting out their steel business, but they have plenty of men to get the job done.”
Logan nods, keeping his stride, but before I’m out of earshot, he says, “They made me create a Pictsagram. I don’t know what it is, but you should know you’ll be in charge of it.”
I shake my head, smiling as I step over to the group of young women.
They’re surprisingly accepting, obsessed with my outfit, and four new numbers and a pedicure date later, we’re fast friends. Bonus, I’m going to see about hiring one of them as Summit Estates new social media coordinator.
Separately, Logan and I take turns speaking with local restaurant owners, a winemaker who’s upstarting a winery on the outskirts of Keerah, and an art gallery owner from New York who’s looking for exhibit space for the world-famous painter, Alexandre Bernard.
I huff an exhausted breath when we break to meet in front of an elaborate champagne display. “Okay, we’re almost at the hour mark, but I think we’ve done pretty well.”
Logan hands me a plate of hors d’oeuvres and a glass of water as we compare names and contact information for potential partnerships. “I haven’t been this social in… probably ever. It’s kind of nice.”
“You’re doing amazing,” I say after taking several bites and then setting the plate on the table. I grab the water and take a cool sip, washing down food I barely taste over the excitement to get back out there. “But dinner is about to be served, then they’ll do the live auction, followed by Agán’s show, and by then, our chances of getting in front of anyone else are slim.”
He takes the carrot I offer him and chews thoughtfully.
“There’s a woman here, Ellen Mays. She’s the CEO of a sustainable energy solutions company called SunGro Technologies. They provide businesses with alternatives, such as wind and solar power.”
I hand him another bite, and then make him take a sip of water. “You’re thinking we could use her for the build?”
“I’ve been trying to get Dad to reconsider our company resources for years, but he’s old-school and wants to rely on men like Nathan Reid. But… if Ellen was willing to fund the Seaside project with the agreement of promoting and incorporating her technology, then I think he’d be hard-pressed to deny me.”
Just hearing him speak about Silas makes my stomach clench.
“Got it.” I swipe a glass of champagne from the display behind us and promptly suck down half of it. “Can you describe what she looks like?”
“Tall, light brown complexion, and…”
“What?”
