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I promise.”
“I know you say that, but…” She sucked in a breath. “Sorry. I don’t want to be all negative.”
“It’s okay. We’re gonna get past that. I know words are easy. I’m going to prove to you that I won’t give up when things get tough. Eventually you’ll believe it and trust me.”
“I do trust you. I really do. It’s just hard to get past those fears. I’ve been like this for so long.”
“I know, baby. I know.” He pushed hair off her face with his fingertips. “I’ve been a spoiled jerk for so long too. You call me on that shit whenever you see it.”
She smiled. “I can do that.”
“I know you can.” His smile went wry.
She laughed. “And you still love me.”
“Yeah. I still love you.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The following week, Levi sat in the large meeting room at the offices of Huxworth Packard while the creative team presented to the brand managers from Cerone.
He appreciated being included in this meeting. He’d asked to present his own stuff, which they originally hadn’t wanted to happen because they didn’t want all the creatives in the room overwhelming the client. But since it was only his and Scott’s campaign going forward they’d agreed he and Scott should be there.
A good idea could sell itself, but sometimes it also helped to have the people who’d birthed the baby there to explain it. No one loved that baby like he did. Sure, Mason was good, and he could probably sell anything, but Levi also liked selling his work. He could convince a hesitant, fearful client that the risk was worth the reward.
They’d all rehearsed this pitch. They all had to be on the same page—him, Scott, Noah, Mason and Sloane. They all were ready to speak to how and why they came up with the idea, what the benefits were, what the potential costs were and how long it would take to produce. They were ready to answer any tough questions Ross and Greg threw at them. None of them wanted to look like unprepared or unprofessional idiots.
Mason had cautioned him that this was going to be big and bold and scary for them. Levi knew better than to expect the client to jump up and down with excitement. These commercials were going to cost big bucks. Levi was prepared for them to go away and discuss the plan and probably come back and ask for changes, especially ones that would save them money.
So his mind was blown when Ross and Greg looked at each other, nodded and looked away.
“That is amazing,” Greg said.
The tightness in Levi’s chest eased but he didn’t let himself get too excited.
“Cost is going to be an issue,” Ross said. “But damn, I want that.”
Levi looked first to Sloane. As if sensing his gaze on her, she glanced his way. And smiled.
Then he looked at Mason, who was leaning forward and talking about ways they could keep costs down, knowing he had them hooked and just had to reel them in. And then he looked at Scott who was grinning like a fool. Scott met his eyes and Levi understood his desire to jump up and do a celebratory dance to the tune from Kool & the Gang.
The discussion went on a while longer. Sure, they could make small changes and Levi was happy to provide some input on ways that might be cheaper without taking away from the impact of the ads. But it looked like it was going to be a go.
After the client had left, he and Scott exchanged a high-five and sagged back into their chairs.
“Good work, boys,” Sloane said crisply, though her eyes were warm. “Let’s hope we hear back from them quickly. Then we can start working on budgets and timelines.”
“Hawaii here we come,” Scott said.
Excitement rose in Levi. Goddamn it was going to be fun to see this idea come to life.
Soon he and Sloane were the only two left in the room.
“You did it,” she said quietly. “Wow, Levi. That really was amazing.”
He tried for casual nonchalance with a self-deprecating smile and shrug. Then he lost it. “Fuck yeah!”
She grinned, stood and walked over to his chair to slide onto his lap. She curled her arms around his neck and kissed him. His hands went to her hips and pulled her closer.
“You were amazing too,” he murmured against her lips. “I love watching you handle clients. So smooth. I love how you totally respect their fears but talk them out of them.”
“You did that too,” she said. “You made a compelling case for doing something a little risky.”
“In this economy, being safe is even riskier.”
“Yep.” She smooched his mouth again. “You made them want to stand out and do something really bold. That takes some skills.”
“Thank you. We make a good team.”
“We sure as hell do. And not just here in the office.”
Someone cleared his throat and Sloane lifted her head. They both looked at Mason at the door of the meeting room. “Sorry to interrupt, kids, but this room is needed for another meeting in five minutes. You might want to…get a room.”
Sloane laughed and rose to her stiletto-clad feet. She tugged her skirt down so the hem was just above her knees. Levi shifted in the chair. Dammit, the guy downstairs was stirring due to Sloane’s sweet little ass on his lap, and he had to get up and walk to his office.
He liked it that people knew about them now. Now everyone knew she was his. Most importantly, she knew she was his. She knew he was going to be there for her no matter what and he was determined to live up to that, no matter how hard things got. Because she was worth working for.