35. Thirty-Five

Val

I’m at the office bright and early the next morning.

I’m standing at the reception desk with Sue when Ellen arrives.

“Hi. Ellen, as soon as everyone is here, I’d like to have a meeting.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Everything is just fine.”

“Why do you have such a smile on your face? Aren’t you worried?”

“No, I think everything is going to work out better than just fine.”

“Okay, what kind of happy pill did you take last night? You left here feeling low. Now you look like you’re walking on air. Oh, that smile, that’s a Chase smile. Did he rock your world last night?”

Sue leans in and says, “Details, we want details this time.”

“Okay, I’ll give you details. Chase had a bubble bath waiting for me when I got home last. He put on my favorite Jazz music and left me alone to soak all my cares away. He even lit candles around the tub. He did interrupt once to put a folded towel behind my head and a glass of white wine in my hand. Dinner was delivered, I ate it in my robe that he had laid out, and then he cleaned up afterward.”

Sue asks, “And the sex? How was the sex?”

“We didn’t have sex. Chase said I looked tired and suggested I go to bed early.”

“So, he didn’t get anything out of the deal?”

Both women look impressed.

I look over at Sue, who hasn’t said that much. She finally states, “He’s a god among men.”

“Are you being serious or making a joke?”

“Ladies, if I ever find a man like that, I’d keep him around forever.”

“Right, what about your ‘never longer than three weeks rule’?’”

“Did it make you feel cherished, Val? What he did.”

“Yes, Sue, that’s exactly how it made me feel. Cherished.”

They both give a wistful sigh.

“Then for a guy like that? I’d hang around. You bet I would.”

“Then I hope you meet him one day, Sue.”

We look up as our team starts flowing into the reception area.

“I guess we need to get back to work.”

“See ya later.”

We take the elevator up to the top floor.

Once Ellen gives me a nod that the team is ready for the meeting, I start.

“Team, we have work to do today.

I go over what I have planned. I wait for my words to sink in and wait for their reaction. It starts with silence, then a few murmurs. Then the murmurs get louder.

I hear, “That’s a great idea— Less money upfront but more on the backend. Passive income— great idea.”

Finally, the team starts to settle down until they are quiet once more and look at me expectantly.

“I’m glad to hear you like the idea. Let’s get started. Oh, and by the way. I have a new buyer that I’ll be meeting with this afternoon. I’d like at least a rough draft to present to him. The new buyer will ensure we have a lot of customers on day one, which will help get the ball rolling.”

Ellen claps her hands. “Okay, that’s all for now, everybody. Let’s make this happen.”

At precisely three o’clock, I’m shown to a conference room at Knight Security. Chase is by my side. He gives my hand a reassuring squeeze.

“You got this, Babe.”

Carson stands, “Val, I’m looking forward to learning more about your software.”

“Thank you, Carson.”

I begin my presentation. Once I’m done, I try to gauge their reaction. Chase is smiling, but Carson just looks thoughtful.

I remind both of them, “The projected profits shown are not accurate. The changes to marketing and distribution haven’t been researched thoroughly. I’ve already made arrangements to gather new numbers based on the new concept.”

“Val, based on these numbers, I’d consider a collaboration. Offering the imaging recognition aspect to our customers would give us an edge over our competition.”

“I agree. I think this is a perfect collaboration. As soon as I have the new projected numbers, we’ll send them over immediately.”

“That works. Val, business aside, your family and I know this will be an additional benefit to our company. So, for now, you have my verbal agreement.”

“Thank you, Carson. That means a lot. I’ll leave these pamphlets. They give a brief overview of the imaging software’s ability and features.”

Chase walks me out. “You did a great presentation, Val.”

He takes me into his arms and gives me a kiss.

“Chase, I couldn’t have done this without you. Thanks for talking to your brother.”

“Of course.” Chase looks at this watch, “Let’s take off early. We could look at some bikes.”

“Okay, I’d like to change clothes first.”

“Me too. I’ll meet you at home.”

Chase and I both change into jeans. I put on a hoodie, and he pulls on a T-shirt, and we’re ready.

“Let’s take my truck.”

We stop, and look at some Harleys. Chase has me sit on a few different models and take them for a spin. It’s fun and all the bikes are wonderful. Nothing feels right, though.

Chase pulls into another sales lot. This dealer sells three wheel motorcycles, Can-Ams.

The salesman comes out to talk to us.

“We’d like to see one of your Can-Am Spyders.”

“Of course. Is there a specific model you’re interested in?”

“We just want to check them out. It would be for my wife.”

The salesman takes us around and shows us the different models, and then he shows us all the storage they offer.

“I had no idea there was so much storage on these bikes.”

“Would you like to take a test drive?”

“Go ahead, Val.”

I take a seat, and I’m immediately surprised by how comfortable it feels.

“With the wheels in the front, you have more stability. Not only that, but when you’re stopped or it’s parked, there is no chance of it falling over. No kickstand. It’s an easier ride than on a two-wheeled standard motorcycle. And easier to steer than if the wheels were on the back.”

“Well, Val. Are you ready to make a decision?”

“Not yet. I’d be the only person at the club with a three-wheeler.”

“So? You’d be the first. Who cares?”

“Won’t they think I’m taking the easy way out?”

“Again, who cares? You should get what you want. What you feel comfortable riding.”

Chase shrugs and then states, “Val, why don’t you have the salesman write down the model and color you like in case we come back?”

“The cruiser and definitely blue.”

The salesman takes notes, punches it into the computer, and then hands us his card.

Chase starts the truck and says, “I’m hungry. Let’s stop and get something to eat.”