While I didn’t disagree with his logic per se, it was clear the appeal he saw in this guy extended beyond interest, into a bit of an obsession, not so much with the firefighter, but about this philosophy he’d developed about why it had become such asensation.
While to some degree he could be right, the guy could have just been lucky as fuck. Gotten the right amount of clicks at the right time, launching him into the spotlight, which he would fall out of in no time…as every celebdoes.
Hacksmore said, “We throw this guy in our clothes, and they make that mental connection: ‘This will make me feel like Superman!’That’sourbrand.”
Despite my skepticism around his reasons for wanting to work with this guy, I didn’t see Hottie Firefighter hurting the brand or my plans for working with HacksmoreDesigns.
“This all seemsmanageable.”
His expression twisted up. “No. Freyda Inc. tried to get in touch with him. We’ve talked to other firms who’ve tried. So barring you being able to get me this guy, we’re signing with Freyda Inc. I’m not going to BS you guys, because I respect you both. I was willing to take this meeting because Elliott is persuasive and I didn’t have to leave the comfort of my vacation, but this is just the way it is, and I’m sure you know, if you were in my shoes, you’d do the samething.”
He wasn’t wrong, but I wasn’t losing this to FreydaInc.
“I can get you Hottie Firefighter,” I said withcertainty.
Hacksmore narrowed his eyes at me. “Really?”
“Yes.”
He chuckled, turning to Ferah, who laughed with him. Carter appeared equallysuspicious.
What the hell? Why was no one on myside?
“Well, if you can land Hottie Firefighter before next week, when we make our final decision, our account’s all yours.” Hacksmore smiled as though he was impressed, but also like he didn’t believe I could doit.
And woe to the man who didn’t believe I was more than talk. I didn’t fucking get to where I was by bullshitting people. I got there by being a hardworking, ass-kicking motherfucker who didn’t take no for ananswer.
* * *
As soon asHacksmore left the boardroom we’d rented for the day, I caught my breath. “And there we go.” Igroaned.
Maybe it was going to be a challenge, but I fucking lived for challenges. I turned to Carter, who was texting on his phone as he stretched out across the leather chair, throwing his legs over thearm.
“Okay, where can I find this guy?” I asked him. “What are you snickeringabout?”
“You bullshitted Hacksmore into thinking this is a done deal, and you don’t even know where Mr. Hottie Firefighterlives?”
“It’ll be a done deal once I get his people on the phone. Hacksmore Designs is the future of fashion, so I guarantee you, we can negotiate whatever this guywants.”
Carter eyed me suspiciously. “You sure this doesn’t have to do with thatslightlycompetitive streak of yours?” I picked up his sarcasm from the overdramatic way he exaggeratedslightly.
“You expect me to pretend I’m not going after this to shove it up Freyda Inc.’s asses? You know how this business works, Carter. One day you’re in, one day you’re out…until you fight your way back in again. I’m here because I can see marketing gold, and this Hacksmore account will get us back to thetop.”
“And we know how you love thetop.”
I ignored his innuendo and went on. “If I had to get on my knees and suck Hacksmore’s dick, I would. But no, all I have to do is hire a random firefighter in some small bumpkin-townplace—”
“FeverFalls.”
“What?”
“That’s where he’s from. While you were busy playing Faye Dunaway’s character inNetwork, I was doing my due diligence on this guy…in no small part because of those abs…goddammit, those arehot.”
He showed me his phone, revealing the Hottie Firefighter image he’d pulledup.
“I love his abs, but I love the deets more right now. This Fever Falls soundsfamiliar…”
“It’s a city in Georgia. Ash Carmichael’s stompingground.”
