“I’m listening.”
“You are competing for the winning design of the Soar Foundation.”
“A foundation?” Her beautiful lips parted with surprise.
He felt his chest tighten. Even the smallest movements she made, drov
e him wild.
“Yes. It’s our children’s foundation. The pinnacle of what we are trying to achieve at HiTech Global. Yes, we are fortunate to have padded bank accounts. Deac and I know how lucky we are. We don’t take it for granted. Over the years we’ve tried to figure out how we could give back. What the right way was to show our gratitude. This idea has been in the works for years. That’s why it’s so important that we get it right. The branding of the Soar Foundation has to show the world that if they give to our foundation, whether it’s through time or money, that they are part of a cause greater than them. They are part of a family.”
“I don’t believe it.” Abby blinked. The green in her eyes glistening. “This is for a charity?”
He chuckled. “We’re not green-headed monsters. We have hearts, despite all your pre-conceived ideas.”
“My pre-conceived ideas are based on the reality of my situation.”
“I’ll give you that.”
She paused. “Ok. So I’m supposed to design the artwork for a children’s foundation that does what exactly?”
She had started to take notes.
“We don’t want to narrow our focus too much, or make it too broad. Deacon would like to make sure we’re giving as many educational opportunities as possible to young children through high school.”
“And you? Do you have a different focus?”
Cole nodded. “I love his idea, but I want to make sure that kids stay healthy. That they get the chance to live out that educational dream of his. So, my end is more children’s health. Helping families pay medical bills. That kind of thing.”
Abby’s jaw dropped. “You are fucking with me right now, aren’t you?”
“Excuse me?”
She shook the blond curls from her shoulders. “You seriously want me to believe that you are both so enthralled with the livelihood and well-being of children that you’re setting up a foundation?”
“That’s exactly what we’ve done. The Vegas trip in two weeks is when we are announcing it to our shareholders and to the public. We are anticipating a high media presence. They are going to expect us to roll out a new product, but instead they are going to get this. And we hope the foundation gets a lot of support. What better way to kick off a campaign?”
“I really don’t know what to say.”
“Do you think you have enough information to start the design work? You’re running on a short time table. The other artists we have consulted certainly have a head start on you.”
“Th-this is huge,” Abby stuttered.
“Are you up for it?”
She nodded. “I-I have to be, don’t I?”
He smiled. “That’s up to you. You don’t have to take the assignment, Abby. Deacon’s not going to be easy on you. He has an art background. He knows his stuff. He has the final say.”
“And if I don’t then I sit around the office all day while you two work and wait for you to walk me home.”
“I didn’t say that. I’m sure we could find another position for you. This was your negation.”
She sat back in her chair. For a moment, he thought she might reconsider. She might pull her offer to design the brand.
“I want the job.” She pulled her shoulders back. “If there is one thing I know, it’s how much children need a foundation like this. I’m going to produce the winning design.”
“Good.” He pushed off from the chair. “I can’t wait to see what you come up with.”