“Yeah. I think working with the animal shelter is a great idea, especially with how close Dogwood Cove is to Cedar Creek. It extends our outreach beyond our town, which can only help in the long run.”
Nodding in agreement, I go on to the next thing on our list. “Maybe we can ask Rafe to pick a few players to attend the gala. Then I’ll get in contact with the director of the shelter and confirm our numbers and plans for the silent auction donations.”
“And you’ll be at the gala with me, right?”
I blink slowly.Withhim?
“Y-yes. I’ll be there. To help make sure it all runs smoothly and generate more interest in the Thunder.”
“Great. Let me know when and where to pick you up.”
I manage to school my reaction enough to stop my jaw from dropping. But is he for real right now? “That’s okay, you don’t have to. I can just meet you there.”
Luca fixes me with a look that leaves no room for arguing. “I’ll pick you up, Forrester.”
Okay, but why does his calling me by my last name send heat rushing through my body? And why am I now frantically thinking about what’s in my closet, wondering if I haveanythingthat can blend sexy with professional. Not that I need to be looking sexy. Oh my God, he’s my boss.
Snap. Out. Of. It. Isla.
“F-fine,” I stutter. He nods and checks his phone. “Next order of business, you wanted to show me some social media ideas?”
“Right. If you would open your preferred social media channel, I’ll tell you what to search.”
I pick up my mug and take a sip of the most decadent tea I’ve ever tasted, just barely stifling my moan of pleasure.
Over the rim of my cup, I watch Luca stand and move to walk around the table, stopping part way with a grimace he tries to hide, his hand coming to the side of his leg.
“Everything okay?” I ask, and he just nods.
“Yep. Just a cramp.” He sits down beside me and gestures to my phone. “Okay, now you can just show me on your phone.”
I look at him for a second, noting how his hand stays on his knee. Faint lines of pain are on his face, something I would have never noticed if he wasn’t so close. Must be a bad cramp. But it’s not my place to pry, so I turn my focus to my phone and open up the accounts I had saved to show him.
“Alright, so I think we need a multi-channel approach. Video and static posts, sharing stories from our players and team members, yourself included,” I say, looking at him.
“Why me?”
“Because people are going to want to know why a former Cedar Creek resident came back and bought their baseball team. You’re young, rich, and attractive. The trifecta for appealing to the masses on social media.” I blurt it all out without thinking, then mentally slap myself. Seriously, Isla?
But Luca’s enigmatic expression doesn’t seem angry or insulted. If anything, he’s amused. “I’d argue about the young part, but I’m more intrigued by the fact that you think I’m attractive enough for social media appeal.” he teases.
I lift my hand and wave it weakly over him. “I mean. Yes.” Turning back to my phone, I ignore my racing heart and continue. “We also need to go back in time. Look at what made the Thunder so popular with the town. Pull in the nostalgia angle. I’m thinking we can do that in both advertising campaigns and in our physical presence at the stadium. Vintage jerseys and caps, photos of past teams and players on the wall. Maybe the Cedar Creek News has some old photos of past news articles written about the team. We blend the old with the new, using modern approaches to remind everyone why they love this team.”
Luca’s studying me when I finish. “You’re really fucking good at this, Isla.” He glances down at the phone, where I’ve still got an account for a team in Washingtonopen. “What about fan engagement? Loyalty programs? These guys do something cool with letting season ticket holders pick themes for fan nights.”
I nod eagerly. “I love that. Yes. We can incorporate those as we go. Part of my approach is to be prepared for changing strategies on the fly. We always have a plan B in our back pocket, so that if one thing isn’t working, we can pivot to something else. We’ve got the next few months to generate interest in the team, and then you’ll have the season to make everyone fall in love with it.”
The smile he gives me is proud and admiring, and I inwardly preen under the attention. I know I’m good at my job, but knowing I’ve impressed Luca Calloway? Even better.
Then he stands and stretches his arms overhead. “Alright. It’s late, and I’ve kept you here far too long. Your kid must be wondering what’s happened.”
I stand as well and begin gathering everything up off the table. “It’s okay, Charlie’s a pretty self-sufficient kid.”
Luca joins me in tidying up. “I’m guessing he gets that from you. Is his dad involved?” His hands freeze. “Shit. That’s inappropriate, I have no business asking you that.”
I place my hand on his, then snatch it away when he looks at me. “It’s fine, Luca. Seriously, I’m not upset. And no, his biological father has never been in the picture.” I shrug. “We were seventeen, he didn’t want a kid to derail his plans. Last I heard, he went off to university on the East Coast. It’s just me and Charlie. And my parents, they stepped up and were a huge help.”
He nods, a soft smile creasing his face. “I’m glad you have them.”
