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Chapter Twenty-Four
Jasper sat across from Fitz’s desk, taking in the view the corner office at WorkAround afforded and trying not to bounce his knee as he waited for his friend. He needed to be focused for this meeting, but he’d been distracted as hell the last two days, knowing Hollyn was hanging out with Cal. He’d wanted to give her time with her friend and not act like a possessive asshole, but Jasper couldn’t shake the talk he’d had with Cal that night at Hollyn’s.
Cal wanted Hollyn. Not for a hookup, not to date casually, but in the you’re-my-one-and-only-forever way. Cal was willing to sacrifice it all for Hollyn, and he had history with her to back it up. Even though Jasper had been the one to spend that night in her bed, he’d been hit with how out of his league he was in the contest when he’d left the next morning. What did he have to offer Hollyn besides some improv advice and a good time in bed? His near-empty bank account? His borrowed apartment?
So for the last two days, Jasper had been running every scenario in his head and driving himself crazy. Had Cal confessed his love to her? Had she fallen into his arms? Were they currently strolling hand in hand through the French Quarter, sharing beignets and licking sugar off each other’s lips?Ugh.
He’d wanted to ask Hollyn so badly, but all they’d done since the morning he left was exchange a few texts. He’d been crazy busy with work, and she’d told him she’d see him when Cal left town. Plus, he didn’t want to bethatguy, text stalking her. He was trying to give her space, trying to givehimselfspace because of all the things he’d been feeling for her that last morning, but it wasn’t working. His brain was running around like a dog chasing its tail.
So when Fitz had texted Jasper that he wanted to chat about the business plan whenever Jasper got his break, he’d welcomed the new thing to worry about. But now that he was waiting in Fitz’s office, his mental dog was off and running again, chasing in a different direction. What if his business plan totally sucked and no one was interested and Fitz was giving up on him and kicking him out? That was where his mind went. Because if you’re going to panic spiral, why not go for it with gusto.
The door whooshed open behind him, and Fitz strolled in, all crisp suit and expensive cologne. He smiled at Jasper as he settled into his chair. “Hey.” He emptied two sugar packets into the coffee Jasper had brought him. “Sorry. My last meeting ran long. Thanks for the coffee.”
“No problem.”
Fitz took a gulp of his coffee and then quirked a brow at him. “So, I’ve got news.”
Jasper rubbed his damp palms on his jeans. “Okay. What kind of news?”
Fitz gave him his CEO look—direct, confident, a little smug. “I’ve been talking to some people and sharing your business plan.” He leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers in front of him. “I’ve gotten a lot of noes.”
Jasper’s heart sank, his worst fears confirmed. “Fuck.”
“However.” Fitz smiled a smile like a guy with a secret. “I also got some yeses.”
“Wait, what?” Jasper sat forward in the chair, gripping the arms. “Seriously?”
Fitz laughed and leaned in, putting his elbows on the desk and looking more like the kid Jasper used to know. “Yes, asshole. I can’t believe you doubted me. You should’ve seen the hangdog face you just gave me. Where’s the confidence, man?”
Jasper groaned. “You’re a sadistic shithead.”
He made a smooching sound, then sipped his coffee, enjoying Jasper’s torture way too much. “Yes, but an effective shithead. I’ve got three potential investors on the hook and interested in what you’re trying to do with the theater. They loved your business plan and pitch. And the performance videos really won them over.”
Jasper couldn’t quite process the words—particularlylovedandbusiness plan. “Holy shit.”
“Don’t look so surprised. Own that shit. You’ve got a good idea, and your group is talented. Other people want in,” Fitz said, reaching for a legal pad full of notes. “Now, one’s a tech guy who loves comedy and is looking to diversify his portfolio. Another is a woman who made her money flipping properties. She likes that the neighborhood is on the upswing. If she can get in early and the theater goes well, I see her buying up more property around there and revitalizing it as an entertainment district. The last one is a bored rich kid playing with inheritance money, but he’s smart and has a killer social-media presence so can send influencers your way.”
Jasper linked his hands behind his neck and let out a breath, taking all of the information in. “Wow.”
“Now,” Fitz said, flipping through the pages. “They need to see one of your live shows since they’ve only seen videos thus far, but I need you to pick a date that you think you can get a full crowd. I don’t want these investors showing up to a half-empty bar. Your show needs to look like hip shit, like they’ve found a pearl in the oyster. Investors like to feel like they’re getting in on a secret right before the world knows about it.”
Jasper leaned back in the chair, his mind spinning. “Fitz, I’m thrilled to have them see a show, but I can’t predict how the crowd is going to be. It varies from night to night. I mean, weekends are better, but I can’t guarantee a packed house. If I could do that, I wouldn’t be looking for investors in the first place.”
Fitz looked unmoved. “Figure it out. Promote. Offer a discount. Plan a special event or special guest that will draw more people in. Get your show’s name in front of people and fast. Plant friends in the audience if that’s what it takes. You need a full room and a loud, engaged crowd. You have a week. I don’t want to leave these investors twisting on the line long. They’re like magpies and will get distracted by the next shiny thing.”
Jasper’s heart had picked up speed. He didn’t want to lose the opportunity, but that schedule gave him no time to plan. If he could get a packed house every night, he would. But their location sucked. They had only just started doing shows again, so word of mouth had stayed very local and in the neighborhood. He needed… Wait. “I’ll take care of it.”
Fitz’s eyebrows arched. “Yeah?”
“I can get us a review from Miz Poppy on the NOLA Vibe site. She can talk us up and mention that next weekend, there will be a discounted show.”
“How are you going to do that?” he asked, frowning. “I read that blog. Miz Poppy isn’t pay to play. She reviews what she wants. That’s her thing. You can’t guarantee she’ll give you coverage.”
“I can guarantee it,” he said, his stomach flipping over that he was going to have to ask Hollyn not just to review him but to make sure it was an ultra-positive one. “I…know her.”
Fitz stared at him for a moment. “Seriously? Why haven’t you used that connection before then?”
“It’s…relatively new,” Jasper said carefully.
