Sheila nodded. Her shoes let go and her feet started moving at the same pace as her mind. “What was the name of that sports drink? The one we saw at the expo?”
Ashley’s finger flew across the keyboard. “Rev-Aide.”
Sheila clapped her hands once and then threw them wide. “Rev the St. George Eagle.”
Ashley nodded. “I like it. Do you think they’ll go for it?”
Sheila dropped into her seat, already opening up a new email. “I’m sending an email to David—I’m sure he’ll approve. Especially if we can get them to cover half of our budget for the contest.”
“Half? Seriously?” Ashley’s eyes narrowed with skepticism.
Sheila paused. “You’re right; two-thirds would be better.” She hit the back key several times.
Ashley got up and leaned over Sheila’s desk. “I was thinking half was too high.”
“Then you’re not thinking big enough.” Sheila grinned. She loved wheeling and dealing. “David should get back to me soon. In the meantime, find that guy’s number, the one we talked to at the convention.” Sheila hurried to put together a digital presentation she could email Rev-Aide. If she had time, she’d fly out to visit with the sponsor and woo them. Time was not a luxury. That thought brought to mind Brock and the time they’d spent together over the weekend. She really didn’t want him to transfer to another team—not when they were just getting to know each other.
Then again, who was to say he’d stick around for years to come? He had one more year on his contract. After that, he was a free agent. He could go anywhere. Did she want to get involved with someone who could take her heart on the road?
Her computer chimed an email alert, and she opened it. “We have the green light.”
“Here’s the number.” Ashley dropped a sticky note on the desk. “I’m going to see if there are bagels in the break room. I didn’t eat breakfast.”
Sheila breathed a sigh of relief that she could make the call in private. She tended to think big, and Ashley was the voice of reason. In order to wheel and deal, she needed to not have Ashley freaking out about the terms she laid out on the table. “Thanks.” With shaking hands, she dialed and put the call on speaker.
“Greg Downs’s office, how may I help you?”
Sheila quietly sucked air through her teeth. She hadn’t anticipated having to get through a secretary. Although why she didn’t think about it was beyond her. Of course he had a secretary. The man ran a thriving business. His sports drink was cutting into the market like a chainsaw. “This is Sheila Weaver from the St. George Redrocks. I spoke with Greg at the conference in Texas a couple months ago, and he asked me to give him a call.”
That was stretching it. He had given her his numberjust in casehe could be of service. See, this was why Ashley couldn’t be here for this conversation.
“One moment, please.”
She didn’t have to wait long.
“Ms. Weaver, it’s good to hear from you.”
They exchanged pleasantries, and then Sheila bolstered her courage. “Mr. Downs, I don’t want to take up much of your time, so I’ll get right to the point. I’m in the middle of creating a mascot for the Redrocks—the whole experience is gathering more attention than we could dream.”Stretching,her inner Ashley cautioned. “As we were talking things over this morning, I just could not get your sport drinks out of my head, and I’d like to propose a partnership.”
“I saw the announcement for tryouts. I’m listening.”
Thank goodness for Julia and her social marketing. Sheila pictured Greg perking up at his desk and went on to explain that they’d like to name the mascot after his sports drink, in exchange for sponsorship. “I believe working together would be beneficial to both our companies. Can I send you a presentation?” Her fingers cramped as if she were already typing his email address into the “To” field.
“That would be great. Though I can’t promise anything until I’ve had a chance to talk this over with accounting.”
Sheila did a fist pump and went ahead and attached the hastily prepared presentation to the email. She hit send and offered up a quick prayer. “I understand, and I appreciate your time this morning.”
“It just came through. Hang on.”
“Sure.” The door began to swing open and she turned her back to it, taking her phone and a pad of paper with her. She jotted down random thoughts, things that would need to be ironed out with legal—there were contracts involved here. Her little project to fill the stadium in October was seeping into the other departments. Behind her, Ashley fidgeted. Sheila held up a hand, telling her to wait a minute.
A low whistle came through the speaker. “That’s impressive. I can tell you’ve put some thought into this.”
Her face burned red, but she didn’t believe in downplaying her talents. “I’m just good at my job.”
Greg laughed. “Do you need a job? I’d be happy to have you on my staff.”
Her blush deepened. Thankfully they weren’t on a video call. “I’m happy here. But thanks for the offer.”
