“Smart. I really like it. Brings people over and gives them something to tag on social media.”
“It’s been doing great,” Sutton adds. She arrived twenty minutes or so ago, her own Seaside Coffee in hand. “The tags for this location have been higher than any other new open.”
June bites her lip, and I wonder if she’ll keep it in, but her excitement wins out as expected.
“I was thinking we could even do a social media contest, so everyone who posts it is entered to win a day pass. Maybe pull a winner once a week or so? It would bring in revenue if they came in with someone and would promote the club by default.”
Again, Rowan nods, interested.
“I like it. Sutton, do you think we do something like that?” he asks, and Sutton lifts a shoulder.
“I’d have to check with legal, but I don’t see why not. It makes sense to me.”
“Do you do this for a job?” Rowan asks, turning to June. “The murals?”
“It’s just…something I do on the?—”
She starts to downplay her work, and I sigh, cutting her off before Sutton gets the chance to.
“She’s just starting, but she’s building quicky. She’s already booked out to the end of summer.”
June pinches me because it’s a lie, but I also know she won’t call me out in front of my boss.
“I love this idea. Would you be interested in doing more?”
“More?” June squeaks.
I have to fight back a grin. God, she’s fucking adorable.
“We’re hoping to have more Daytrip by Daydream locations opening over the next few years, and I really think these woulddraw people to make it a must-see while in town. But I’d also love to add a few to some of our locations with celebrity clientele. A perfect backdrop for them to add to their vacation round-up posts.” June’s eyes are wide now. “It could be great exposure for you, as well.”
“Oh, I—” she starts, and I’m relieved when Rowan continues, ending her argument before it starts, so I don’t have to.
“Can you put together some proposals? Maybe tiered at one location, three, five, and ten?”
“A proposal?” she asks in awe. “Ten locations?”
“I could help you with the expected structure for it,” I say in a low voice. That cuts through her shock, and she glares at me. I smile, remembering the last proposal I helped her with.
“We would cover your travel, of course. And the supplies. It would be separate from your work with the company, so it wouldn't be your hourly rate as an employee. And since it’s corporate, you can charge more,” Sutton says with a smile.
“You’re not supposed to tell people that, Sutton,” Rowan says, exasperated.
“Why, it’s not going to come out of your pocket? Plus, she’s already going to undercharge you because she doesn’t know her worth, so really, I’m just making sure you don’t get the opportunity to take advantage of a young, up-and-coming artist.”
“Can we not assume that I’m going to take advantage of people?” he asks. “Much less state it aloud in the middle of the hotel I work for, loud enough that everyone can hear?”
Sutton rolls her eyes. “Oh, you are so dramatic; no one is even listening.”
“Sutton, you’re shouting,” Rowan says.
They continue arguing, but I watch as June begins to panic.
“I actually,” June says, biting her lip. “I need to go grab something from my desk. I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll go with, I should check my email. You two can just…continue this or whatever,” I say, then start following June.
“Ohh, someone’s in trouble,” Sutton says low enough that thankfully, I don’t think June can hear. I look over my shoulder and try to shoot daggers at her, but fail miserably as they bounce off her Teflon exterior. I don’t think anything gets under Sutton Donovan’s skin.
