Page 67 of Downforce

Max upends everything even more when he asks, “What are you proposing?”

I glare at him. He can’t be serious.

“A joint sponsorship of sorts,” Liam says.

I can see the gears of his mind working.

“It would be perfect, actually. Think of it, Randy,” he says, excitement raising the level of his voice.

“We’ll be the phoenix that rose from the ashes of last year’s blunder when we signed Skyland to turn it around and have both Travis Townsend and Max Ferreira featured in our ads. And if the determination in Max’s voice is anything to take seriously, we might have double champions on our hands? Or team champions.”

Liam’s speaking a mile a minute at this point. His ideas are like a runaway train and there’s obviously no stopping him at this point.

“That’s not the deal we discussed with Norm,” I try to remind him.

“Normally, I have my agent involved in these types of meetings,” Max speaks up. “But I like what you’re offering.”

I purse my lips to stop from telling him that they actually haven’t offered anything yet. Nothing aside from Liam’s vision, anyway.

Everyone at the table can see Max’s enthusiasm for what’s on the table, though. I start to wonder where his actual agent is right now. His friend, Edwin, should be here negotiating.

“No, but you are right, Annalise. This isn’t the original deal our company proposed. But, like I said, I’m a man who trusts my instincts and I believe until papers have been signed negotiation is always on the table.”

“As long as the deal benefits all parties involved,” I say, sitting up straighter. “I will run these new terms past Travis and Norm, and we’ll have to decide whether this is the right thing for Travis’ career and image.”

I swear I see a small smile stretch Randy’s lips before that placid, professional expression covers it.

“We wouldn’t expect anything less,” Liam assures. “But I believe this is a great opportunity for Travis, Max, and Amato Racing, as well as our company, naturally.”

“Naturally,” I repeat.

Over the next thirty minutes we’re served a light breakfast while Liam hashes out potential terms and conditions for this new sponsorship opportunity. Though I pay attention and respond at the appropriate times, I can’t help but to think what Travis will think of all of this.

Liam seems to think there’s chemistry between Max and I that also extends to him and Travis. I have no idea what he’s seeing, and I try not to think this guy’s business instincts are as poor as his ability to read people.

What I do know is that Travis and Norm expected this to be a done deal. Yet, once again I’ve walked into almost a sure thing and walked away with nothing. Not a signed contract, an offer on the table, or an increased number to take to Travis.

These are the lamentations that spiral through my brain as Liam and Randy rise from their seats, shaking hands with Max then myself before exiting after wishing Max luck on this weekend’s race.

“What the hell was that about?” I hiss at Max as soon as we’re alone.

He doesn’t react in surprise or even confusion.

His reaction is worse.

Those pink lips of his spread into a smile that makes my stomach muscles tighten, and the spark in his eyes rivals the sun’s glare on the marina water twenty-five stories below us.

“I believe I was just offered a potential sponsorship deal. Were you not present at the table?” He waves an arm in the direction of the table.

“No, you tried to steal an opportunity out from underneath my brother,” I accuse. I’ve run it through my mind. I don’t know how, but Max must’ve known what I was doing here with Liam and Randy and intentionally interrupted to mix things up.

He braces a hand against his chest in mock offense. “I would never.”

“Psshh,” is all I respond.

“You don’t believe me?”

“Why would I? You clearly wanted to sabotage me.”