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“Hey!” I protest, but she just gives me a look. “Well… Maybe,” I admit.
“Do you really think there’s no shot with Jenn?” she asks. “I want to see you happy. After everything that went down with Clara…” Monica sighs, which is the reaction everyone in my life has when mentioning my ex. “You deserve someone who isn’t a lying, cheating piece of doo-doo.”
I smile. Thanks to my nephew, Nico, Monica’s cursing has taken on a new, PG-13 flair.
“I will find someone,” I say, projecting more confidence than I feel. “At the moment, the spa is my number one focus. But once I have it figured out, I’ll be ready. She’s out there.”
An image of Jenn flashes in my mind, and I tell my brain to quit it. This is not the time.
“Anyway,” I say, desperate for a subject change. “Here’s a fun fact. After lunch, I’m pitching this guy from theHousehusbandsshow. Jenn thought he’d be a good fit to invest in the spa.”
“Mac?” Monica brightens. “Oh my god, that’s perfect. I love that guy!”
“You watchThe Real HouseHusbands of NYC?” I ask, surprised. Monica watches a lot of prestige dramas, all serious monologues and Oscar winners.
“Of course,” she beams. “I’m a woman of discerning taste.”
I chuckle. “OK, expect. Any tips on winning him over?”
“Hmmm,” she ponders. “What do you know about Pomeranian dogs? Brazilian butt lifts? Taylor Swift?”
“Uh, nothing?” I gulp, wondering if this guy and me even talk the same language.
She sees my expression. “I’m sure it’ll be fine!” Monica says brightly. “The spa experience speaks for itself. Just be your charming self, and Mac will love you.”
My hopethat she’s right lasts about as long as it takes to usher Mac McClintock into my office, fumble the basic small talk, and realize that I have absolutely no idea how to charm him into anything.
Baseball talk? That usually breaks the ice in these meetings, but nope. The guy cheerfully announces he’s not into sports.
Facts and figures? Here’s where the serious investors perk up… But Mac glazes over as soon as I bring out my slick financial projections.
“So as you can see, the revenue growth we predict over the first three years is way ahead of the sector.” I try to stay positive, charging through my usual pitch script.
“Uh uh,” Mac murmurs, from his spot at the other end of the table. He’s a tall, slim guy in his late twenties with a shock of blonde hair, designer sneakers, and an expensive watch on one tanned wrist. Thanks to my quick burst of online research, I know he was an aspiring actor before he married his entrepreneur wife, Lanie, and promptly quit to support her dreams. Which, according to the show, translates to throwing wild dinner parties, bringing her smoothies in bed, travelling first class around the world, and helping to spend her millions.
It’s a sweet life he’s got there, but I’m hoping he’s itching for a little more.
“It’s a great opportunity to really plant a flag in the wellness space. This flagship location is just the start, it’s my goal to have multiple locations around the world, branded products and partnerships…” I trail off.
He’s checking his phone. Fuck, he’s not even listening anymore!
I need to find a foothold in the next few minutes, or he’ll be out the door.
Hell, I need a miracle.
Luckily, I hired one. Jenn strolls by, smiling brightly at me through the conference room glass. But her expression drops as she notices my deer-in-headlights look. In a beat, she’s opening the door—as if she could feel me begging her to come in.
“Mac McClintock,” she greets him warming. “So glad you could come in. I’m Jenn Walker, marketing.”
Mac glances up from his phone. “Nice to meet you.”
“Jenn’s the one who clued me into your spa expertise,” I tell him.
Mac perks up. “You’re a fan?”
“Absolutely!” Jenn beams. “So, have you seen the amazing facilities yet?”
“No.” Mac looks to me.
