Sin (Just This Once 3)

e best champagne to toast to my hard work.” He raises his arm in the arm and stumbles. “I’ve never seen him more proud.”

I narrow my eyes. “How much champagne did you have?”

Leaning forward, he shrugs both shoulders. “A few glasses.”

“I don’t need you in the meeting, Mitchell.” I round my desk. “Go home and sleep it off.”

“No can do, Lincoln.” He waves a finger in the air. “Dave sent me to watch the presentation in his place. I have to report back to him.”

Disappointment and anger wage war inside of me. This isn’t how I envisioned this afternoon, but my issues with Mitchell and my dad need to take a backseat to work.

“You’ll sit quietly and listen.” I push a strand of hair behind my ear. “Don’t mess this up for me.”

He doesn’t say a word as he follows me out of my office.

***

I rub my hand over my neck. I’ve been able to keep my composure around West but today feels different.

Today he’s dressed just as he was the first time I saw him on the airplane in the same gray suit and black dress shirt.

The sunglasses he had on that morning were perched on his nose when he entered the conference room.

He slid them off before greeting Mitchell and me.

I glance over at the poster board that’s sitting on an easel at the head of the conference table. Right now, a large white sheet is covering it.

It’s a last minute addition to the vanilla vodka campaign.

I steal a quick look across the table at West. “Are you ready?”

Trent’s gaze jumps up from his phone to settle on my face. He looks to his left at Jeremy. “I’m dying to find out what’s under that sheet. Aren’t you, boss?”

West nods. “Go ahead, Linny.”

I take a deep breath. “As you both know, our aim with this campaign has always been to attract the attention of your loyal customers as well as potential new customers.”

West leans back in his chair. “You’ve done a remarkable job of doing both, Linny. The contest is in full gear. The response has exceeded my expectations.”

“Mine too,” Trent adds.

I smile. “I hope that you’ll see the value in what I’m about to suggest.”

Mitchell clears his throat but doesn’t say a word. Both West and Trent look in his direction, but I keep my eyes trained on the notes I wrote down before the meeting.

“To further the reach of the Rizon brand, it’s essential to create a buzz that can’t be ignored.” I move to stand. “Getting the Rizon logo and product in front of as many people as possible is our ultimate goal.”

West nods. “I can’t argue with that.”

“Your financial investment in my new idea will be substantial, but you’ll be rewarded ten-fold.” I finger the edge of the sheet. “I present to you, The Fire Tour by Asher Foster, sponsored by Rizon Vanilla Vodka.”

I tug on the edge of the sheet to reveal the poster board. It’s a mock-up I had made of a promotional poster that will be used to market Asher Foster’s next tour.

The man is a worldwide rock star who is set to launch his North American tour two months from now. The Rizon logo is prominently displayed on the poster, along with a banner at the bottom that states that Rizon is the official vodka of the tour.

“Asher Foster?” West is on his feet. “Is this an idea, Linny, or are we talking negotiations are pending and this is a potential reality?”

I drop the sheet on the floor. “I’ve spoken to Asher myself. He’s on board. He’s working out the details with his management team and the touring company, but it’s as good as done, provided you can come to an agreement on terms.”