Declan, who’s been mostly quiet sitting at the kitchen table with his laptop propped in front of him, pops out an earbud. “Did I hear that right? There’s a dating app for people who want to remain virgins until they’re married?”
“It’s more common than you’d think.”
“It also seems like it would be a prime target for douchebags looking to pop cherries,” Harley says.
“Hence the reason both of those apps are no longer available,” I say. “Aside from that, how on target am I?”
“So good, it’s almost like you’ve googled him all day long,” Avery says while flipping through the website on her laptop. “Oh yeah, wow. That app tanked hard. Doesn’t look like this guy is hurting as a result, though.” She stops chewing on her straw, eyebrows lifting as she lets out a low whistle. “This guy has an absurd amount of money. His net worth is close to a billion dollars. What the hell does a thirty-five-year-old with that much money do all day long?”
“Run a media and consulting company and watch his investments make him more money.” I mean, it’s pretty obvious. “One of the things they’re probably going to ask is how we can keep the costs down for our clients and remain committed to green initiatives since they can be cost prohibitive for smaller businesses, but I don’t know how to answer that.”
“Well, that’s the whole point of their initiative, isn’t it?” Declan laces his hands behind his head and leans back in his chair. “They have the resources and the ability to pair smaller, family-run businesses like Spark House with bigger sponsors to help reduce those costs. Your job is to make the client happy within their budget, and it seems like it’s Holt’s job to help facilitate that in an eco-friendly way and effectively grow your business. The point is that it’s symbiotic on all levels, for all parties.”
I type furiously as he speaks, trying to get down the gist of his response. I’m once again reminded of how this job does not come naturally to me. But for Declan, on the other hand, this is the kind of thing he loves. “Maybe you should be the one meeting with them,” I grumble.
“If Avery and I didn’t have to meet with the caterers, I’d be happy to tag along.” He gives me an encouraging smile. “Besides, your sisters are right, you have it. It was one question, and I live and breathe numbers.”
“Such a math nerd.” Avery rolls her eyes.
“You love my math nerdiness.” Declan winks at her, and she blows him a kiss, then turns her attention back to us. “Uh, have either of you seen what the CEO looks like?”
“Who cares what he looks like? He’s probably balding and has those hair implant things.” I’m aware this is untrue. I’ve seen the pictures of him. I know exactly what he looks like. Refined, classy, and more attractive than any man with that much money has a right to be. He should be balding with implants, and about twenty years older than he is, but it’s clear genetics dealt him a royal flush in the looks department, and his business savvy has carried him a long way.
“You mean plugs?” Harley picks up her phone and taps a bunch of buttons, then scrolls at lightning speed with her face about three inches away from the screen. It’s amazing that she doesn’t have a hunchback or terrible eyesight. “Hold on, I think I found him. Some huge social media influencer has tagged him in a bunch of photos. I’ve heard of her before too. Selene Angelis. Her following is unreal.”
I would like to stay on task here. And since I’m already aware of Jackson Holt’s extreme attractiveness, I’d also like to move on from this topic. Plus, it’s closing in on ten thirty, and I’m hoping to get to bed before midnight. Not that I think it’s going to make a difference regarding the quality of my sleep, but a girl can hope.
“Holy mother. Wow. If this guy has plugs, they’re pretty incredible.” She turns her phone around so we can see what she sees.
On the tiny screen is the same man I stumbled upon in my Holt Media research. There’s something familiar about him, but then, he is a media mogul and a tycoon, so I’m sure I’ve seen his face before. He has dark hair that’s styled with some kind of product, full lips, high cheekbones, and an aura that commands attention. And that’s just a picture. I can’t imagine what he must be like in person.
Avery snatches the phone out of Harley’s hand and whistles softly. “Wow. He looks like a superhero-businessman mash-up.”
“What does that even mean?”
“Look at that jaw and those eyes. That can’t be his real eye color. They’re like emeralds. I wonder if he can laser things with his eyes. It’s not normal to be that good-looking.”