A Deal With the Devil (23 page)

“There’s one other way the three of us are alike. We all have one great love,” Max said. “It devastated me when your relationship ended last year. When I first saw you together, I knew you had something special.”

Amanda’s stomach twisted. She had believed that once as well. But whatever they used to have was gone. In its place was a business relationship and, given the events of the afternoon, she guessed it could be a business relationship with benefits if she chose to let it continue. She lifted her chin and gazed into the fire and decided then and there. She wouldn’t repeat this afternoon’s mistake. It had meant nothing to Jake Lowell; nothing but a little unfinished business.

* * *

Amanda strolled into Jake’s study and flopped into a chair. “I’m so exhausted; I need a new word for exhausted.”

Jake pushed back from the computer screen and grinned. “You can’t be finished unpacking. The movers just left. I was going to come up and help.”

“I’m done. I’ve packed and unpacked more godforsaken boxes in the past year than in my entire life. Remember, I just moved into my condo a few months ago and while it looks neat and organized, you should check behind the closet doors and under my bed. It’s like something exploded.” She sighed. “I hate being disorganized, but I hate unpacking more so I’ve learned to unpack strategically.”

He raised a brow. “Strategically.”

“You know . . . just the things I need most.”

“Would any of those things be lacy or black?”

She changed the subject, waving the stack of papers she’d brought with her. “With your pitch happening in three days, I thought we should discuss this.”

He stood and gestured to the seating area across the room. “We’ll be more comfortable over there. Have you had a chance to read through it?”

Amanda strolled to the sofa, kicked off her shoes and tucked her legs underneath her. “I scanned through and made some notes. Where do you want to focus?”

Jake settled on the opposite end of the sofa. “I think the content is good, but it’s boring as hell.”

She smiled. “I wouldn’t call it boring, but it’s definitely lacking emotion. But I think it’ll be relatively easy to punch up the content. After all, your business is all about helping people.”

“So what’s missing?” He gestured to the papers. “I’ve read that damned presentation a thousand times and I’m stumped. It has everything. All the services and products we’ll offer.” He shook his head and pushed back into the sofa cushions. “I can’t figure it out.”

She flipped through, glancing at her notes. “I agree the content is there, but you’re missing the brand. Your business idea is fascinating, but the proposal focuses too much on products and services. It’s missing the heart. And it’s the heart that will transform your proposal from good to killer.”

“Where do we start?”

“First, we need to define what your business stands for. It’s brand essence.” She leaned forward. “The inspiration for your company came from somewhere. There’s a burning reason driving you. Once we get clear on how to articulate it, we’ll have found your brand essence. From there, it’s relatively easy to put the details around it. We won’t have time to develop a great logo or visual identity in time for the pitch, but we can mention in your pitch that the first wave of funding will help pay for that.”

“I have no idea what any of that means. You’re talking to a Navy guy, remember?”

She tapped the proposal. “It’s easy to see the good your business will do for veterans, but it’s not enough. You need the brand to paint a vivid picture for investors. Forget the services you’ll provide. When you strip everything away,
why
is your business important? What’s its true purpose?”

“I want to help wounded vets change their lives.”

“So if you needed to articulate it in two words, what would they be?

He shrugged. “Changing lives?”

“It’s not big enough. I mean, those words capture the end result, but it’s too rational; too descriptive. The words you choose should inspire passion.” She looked at him intently. “Try harder.”

He steepled his fingers and tapped them as he considered her question.

She recalled Max gesturing in much the same way and was once again struck by how alike they actually were.

He thought for a long while and then shook his head in resignation. “I need your help.”

“Okay. Let’s look at it from your future client’s perspective. They’re seriously injured. They’ve gone through experiences most people can’t fathom. Some may have realized dreams before being injured. Others had just begun to learn who they are, who they want to be, what the world holds for them. From my perspective, your essence has to be something about renewal, reinvention. Or maybe hope or possibilities.”

Jake’s head snapped up. “Second chances,” he said, as his face broke into a huge grin. “My business will be about second chances.”

“What about that phrase speaks to you?”

“I like the implication that it’s never too late—no matter what you’ve been through. It captures the belief we all have inside ourselves that we matter; that our lives are supposed to mean something. That it’s never too late for a fresh start.”

“I love it. That’s the passion that’s missing here.” She tapped the proposal.

“What’s next?”

“Let me spend some time on it. I’ll try to get a good draft by tomorrow afternoon. Then on Sunday, we can finalize it and do a few practice runs.” She smiled. “You’re going to kill it on Monday.”

Chapter Thirteen

can’t believe you got an appointment with
her,
” Kate said, her voice laced with reverence as she gazed through the storefront window of Exquisite Events.

“Max arranged it. She handles all of his corporate and charitable events. Otherwise, she wouldn’t give me and my fake wedding the time of day.”

“No one knows it’s a fake wedding,” Kate said, her green eyes dancing. “I can’t
wait
to see her ideas. Maybe I can get some inspiration for my business.”

“You’re a gifted interior designer.” She playfully punched Kate’s shoulder. “You don’t need inspiration.”

“Everyone needs inspiration from time to time and I’ve heard no one dresses an event better than Gigi. I wish she was helping with Sam’s birthday.” She cast a sideways glance at Amanda. “By the way, thanks for blowing off the cake testing yesterday. You know how stressed I am about the party tomorrow night.”

“I didn’t blow it off. Something came up. I told you.”

“You told me this morning. But yesterday, you left me all alone at the cake place when I needed you there. I don’t have a fancy event planner to fall back on.” She gestured to the storefront. “You didn’t even bother to call with an excuse.”

“But this morning, I left two apology messages and four sucking-up-to-you texts. So which do I get credit for, the one blow off or the six apologies? Do I have to get down on my knees?”

Kate pursed her lips as if considering the idea. “You could have called me. I bet I gained ten pounds tasting all of that cake.”

“The baby probably enjoyed it. And for the last time, I’m sorry. Seriously,” Amanda said. “Besides, you said you wanted chocolate. How hard can it be to select an attractive-looking, decent-tasting chocolate cake?”

Kate cocked her head. “Do you realize how many different flavors of chocolate there are?

“Apparently not. Now I’m sorry I missed it.” Amanda grabbed the door and started pulling it open, but Kate stopped her.

Her eyes narrowed. “Something’s going on. Let’s hear it,” Kate said. “Why didn’t you come? Or
call
? It’s not like you to stand me up.”

“No,” Amanda said. “It actually sounds like you. I believe you stood me up last week when we were supposed to meet for spa pedicures. Remember?”

“That isn’t the same thing. This is much more serious.” She jammed a balled fist onto her Burberry-clad hip. “And just so you know, the only acceptable answer will involve something dramatic, like a hit and run.”

In an attempt to distract her, Amanda fixed her gaze above Kate’s head, squinted and pointed at a black-and-white striped awning down the street. “I’ve heard that place has amazing stuff. Want to swing by after we’re done? I could use a new something cute for Sam’s party tomorrow night.”

“Amanda Wilson, don’t even
try
to change the subject. Besides, you can’t tempt me with cute clothes when I’m as big as a house.”

“Buy some earrings,” Amanda said. “Also, you know I
hate it
when you use my full name. It’s so condescending.”

Kate tapped her foot on the pavement and folded her arms. “Well?” Kate’s eyes skimmed over her. “I don’t see any cuts or bruises.”

That’s because the cuts and bruises were on her heart. Amanda’s mouth twisted. She’d wanted to avoid this confession—for a while at least—but she found it impossible to keep secrets from Kate. “Actually I
was
involved in a hit and run yesterday; sort of.”

Kate’s green eyes grew round as saucers and she opened her mouth, then closed it again.

Amanda sighed. “Jake stopped by with the revised agreement yesterday. One thing led to another and . . .”

“You
did it!
” Kate squealed and clapped her hands.

Amanda glanced up and down the block, relieved to see the sparse afternoon crowd. At least they’d only entertained a few random strangers instead of the regular morning crowd at her neighborhood Starbucks.

“Is that true?” Kate’s eyes narrowed. “Scouts honor?”

“Get real. You were
never
a girl scout. You didn’t like the uniform, remember?”

“I liked the uniform—especially that cute little beret and the sash with all the bling,” Kate said. “But my mother said green washes me out. Plus, the group involved too many sweaty outdoor activities and you know how I feel about that sort of thing.”

Amanda rolled her eyes. “You hate outdoor sweaty activities, but you’ll do Bikram Yoga for an hour in a studio heated to a hundred degrees.”

“I prefer planned indoor sweating,” Kate sniffed. “Besides, Mom was right. Green isn’t my color.” Amanda opened the door and nudged Kate inside as she prattled on. “My sisters and I organized our own group we called the Explorettes. My mom designed a special uniform—a really cute little two-piece outfit in powder blue. We didn’t have a beret, though, or a sash.”

Undoubtedly, the only thing they’d explored were the shopping malls in the greater Birmingham metro area. “I’m convinced Alabama is located on a different planet.”

“We’re not finished with this conversation,” Kate hissed as she poked Amanda in the side.

“I’m not sure I need to hear any more about the Explorettes.” Amanda swatted Kate’s hand away. “Even after all these years, the stories never cease to amaze me.”

“I’ve told you all this before, you just didn’t listen,” she said. “Just like now. I know you’re trying to get me to talk about the Explorettes to distract me from the news that you slept with Jake. But it won’t work. I’m not going to rest until you spill all the details.”

“Forget it. I’ve already said too much and if you don’t back off; you’re wearing green at the wedding.”