Excitement bloomed in her pretty eyes as the idea took shape. "The first two floors are all small businesses, most owner-operated. The upper floors are professional offices with accountants, lawyers, a marketing firm, and so on. Some of these people are already customers, but most aren't. What if we could market to more of them through a partnership program? For instance, Sugar Crumb Bakery could offer catering discounts. I could offer corporate wellness classes on stress management, and Julie could do a yoga-at-lunch kind of thing. The print shop already does quite a bit of work for those businesses, but I'm sure Tyler wouldn't mind formalizing a discount structure if it helped bring in more business. Do you see where I'm going with this?"
"Brilliant."
Her face brightened. "Yeah?"
"Absolutely. The partnership you're suggesting would integrate the business community even more, and Ochoa could use it as a selling point to attract new professional tenants upstairs." My mind was already racing with the implications. "He could market the plaza as not only office space but a self-contained location with additional built-in amenities."
A broad grin spread across her face.
"Your idea will allow him to differentiate his property from other plazas in the area. This could be huge." I created another slide. "Tenants will get office space and access to a network of service providers."
"I hadn't thought about the partnership exactly that way, but I like the way you said it."
"You were thinking about community and mutual support, which is fine. I'm simply translating your idea into language Ochoa will understand and appreciate. By offering the professionals discounts and special deals through your businesses, he'll have a competitive advantage and could optimize revenue."
"Love it. Yes!" I wanted to jump up and scream with joy but refrained.
We spent the next hour building out the partnership program concept and refining the presentation to show how its incorporation would positively affect Ochoa's bottom line.
When we finished, I strongly believed the new proposal was a better, more proactive plan than the first. I saved the files and backed them up in three different locations. Then I turned to Tallulah. "Ochoa would be a fool not to accept this idea."
"Let's hope he's not a fool, shall we?"
We both laughed. I was pleased to see the joy and relief on her face.
"I can't thank you enough for helping me—us. And for believing in me."
"I know we haven't known each other long, but you're an amazing woman. You care about people. You're kind. You work hard. You're remarkable."
"You're going to make me blush," she said.
I took her hand in mine. "I meant every word."
"You're pretty amazing yourself. I had no idea what we were going to do, but you stepped in and reorganized our argument and used all the right words."
"We make a good team."
"We do," she agreed.
The air between us shifted, becoming charged with awareness. She was a stunning woman, tonight wearing a dress in a riot of color—deep reds, electric blues, and splashes of turquoise and gold. Against the canvas of her chestnut-brown skin, the outfit was like a work of art. The deep neckline gathered beneath her chest and turned into generous folds of soft material, while the three-quarter-length sleeves hung below her elbows in a dramatic fashion.
"We should celebrate," I said, my voice dropping lower.
"How?"
"With a kiss." I pulled her onto my lap, and with a soft laugh, she rested her hands on my shoulders.
"This seems self-serving," she whispered.
"Guilty as charged."
Her eyes darkened, and I leaned in to kiss her.
I tasted her lips, flicking my tongue at the corner of her mouth. "I can't stop thinking about you. Us. How good we are together."
"We are good together, aren't we?"
"Surprisingly good," I whispered.
