Page 64 of Downforce

“While it can be tough, parenthood is truly a gift,” Mrs. Ferreira tries to smooth over. She leans over toward Lucky, sticking out her finger for him to take.

I tighten my hands into fists, lest I reach over and push her hand away from him.

“Isn’t that right, Lucky?” she coos.

I don’t even try to fight the grin that spreads across my face when Lucky lets out an eardrum bursting screech. It’s so loud a few other patrons look our way.

Alyssia gasps in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry,” she says, reaching over to pick Lucky up out of his highchair. “He’s teething,” she gives as an explanation.

I hand her his diaper bag so she can retrieve the teething ring she’s brought. Lucky takes it right away and begins gumming it the same way he did the bread.

“I suppose I should be going,” Max’s mother says. “I wanted to say hello.”

I don’t bother acknowledging her as she leaves us.

Alyssia leans into the table. “What was that about?”

I shrug. “I think we just discovered that my nephew has a pretty good read on people.”

CHAPTER 19

Annalise

Did I check the company’s stats for last year?

What about their projected numbers for this year? How do they think Travis signing with them will affect those numbers?

I should take one more look at Norm’s email.

The cyclone of thoughts rushes through my mind at a breakneck speed.

Today is the Friday before the Miami Grand Prix and I have another meeting with a potential sponsor on behalf of Travis.

This time it’s with a lifestyle brand based here in Miami.

I’m so preoccupied that I don’t notice the beautiful skyline that can be seen from the floor-to-ceiling windows of the luxury hotel’s twenty-fifth floor that houses its premiere restaurant.

Instead of taking in the cerulean waters that reflect the vibrant blue sky above, I mentally review the company’s previous sponsors, the emails I’ve exchanged with Norm about the company, and the speech I’ve prepared, talking up all that Travis’ image will bring to the company should this deal go through.

I won’t mess this meeting up like I did with Luca Taylor.

“Hello, party name Waltz,” I tell the host, who then looks down the list.

“Annalise?”

I turn to a deep male voice. There are two men in business suits standing at the entrance. I recognize them both from the company’s website. Liam Waltz and his business partner and minority owner, Randy Collins.

I’m thrown off to see both of them here.

I was prepared to speak with Liam. Before I can run through everything that I know about Randy Collins, he sticks his hand out for me to shake.

“Pleasure to meet you.”

I suck in deep breaths and extend my hand to Randy Collins and then Liam Waltz.

“It’s a shame Norm couldn’t make it this weekend, but he says you are the next best person to speak to on Travis’ team,” Randy says with a confident smile.