Tess tilted her head slightly, her gaze questioning even though her overall expression remained carefully neutral. "I recall. We've corresponded."
"Yes, and I appreciate the time you've given to the idea." He spread his hands wide, "Players stay cooler, longer. I sent your equipment manager a size run and ASTM wash-test results last week."
He forced himself not to explain exactly how he'd created a pouch to lift the family jewels and keep them nestled away from the body heat that caused them to sweat.
Sweaty balls did not make for a good sales pitch. He understood that much.
"So, this is why they call it the 'package deal'?" Piper muttered so only he could hear.
He grinned, stuffing that line away to use for a future tagline.
"Oh, shoot," Piper said, snapping her fingers with theatrical urgency. "Connor. My cactus. He needs his emotional-support spritz. It's a whole thing. You two finish up… this. Meet me in the conference room when you're through?"
She didn't make any eye contact with either of them as she gathered her folder, clutching it like a shield before heading back down the hall.
He shook his head and chuckled, letting her excuse just sort of sit in the space for a moment.
Focus, Dvornakov.
"We've got two million people following us on social media who believe in what we're building," he said, the corporate speak he'd practiced falling away into connection. "I started in my garage, selling to college buddies. Now their older brothers are buying, their dads are buying. It's not just underwear to them. It's supporting something local, something that started here."
His voice gained momentum. "I could go player by player, beg their management for endorsements. But that's not the vision. I want Wild Sacks and the Stallions to mean something together."
He met her gaze. "This isn't about quarterly projections for me, Tess. This is about proving that the little guy with the better product can make it to the championship game."
Proving that he hadn't made a mistake by going out on his own to start this company.
Validating what he'd built not only in his eyes—but his family's, too.
"Look," Tess said, sounding tired for the first time since they all arrived. "The Stallions are investing heavily in this wedding because if it goes sideways and our community dives into all the myths and legends we're up against? It will affect the entire season. This is my priority right now because it isn't just a personal event anymore. This wedding needs to be picture-perfect, and that's where my focus has to stay." She sighed. "The marketing department is willing to explore this with you. Local businesses, Colorado connections, that sort of thing. I do think that if the circumstances work, we could consider a structured pilot program for an official team undergarment."
Zach practically salivated at the carrot dangled in front of him.
"That's fantastic," he said, keeping his voice neutral despite his internal excitement.
Tess nodded. "But I want to be clear. These discussions are preliminary. Though your contributions to make this wedding a success will be noticed. The organization appreciates team players. People who understand the bigger picture. Team players who can help us craft the event to be what we both know it needs to be."
The implication was crystal clear: help make this wedding exactly what the Stallions wanted, and the underwear deal was his.
"I'm always happy to help Anna," he said carefully. "And if my help takes some of the strain off of you so you can expand your focus past the wedding? Bonus for everyone."
Including, and mostly, him.
"Great. The fact that you know the wedding planner already is very helpful." Tess leaned forward. "We need this wedding to be spectacular but controlled. You and Piper have a certain rapport." Tess studied him carefully. "She's very responsive to you."
He hesitated. He needed this deal. Needed to prove his company was worthy of the family name, even if it wasn't selling tulips and daisies.
And he genuinely liked Piper, so it wasn't like he would work her like a mark. He'd help, he'd be useful, and tell the truth. If that nudged things along for his company? Awesome.
"I'll do what I can." He squared his shoulders and held out his hand to shake.
"I think we both know you'll do better than that," Tess said gripping his palm.
"Then we have a deal?" he asked.
Tess tilted her head from side to side. "We have... potential."
CHAPTER 4
