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I’d been adrift for a long time, since dialing back the acting jobs. I hated to admit it even in my own head, but I wanted more than beingDonovan, and getting jobs because nostalgia called for it. My fans were the best, and I wasn’t planning on stepping out of the spotlight, but this idea was mine. A business concept that reflected me, and let me share that appreciation with the world.
“You mentioned location,” Kandace said. “Where are you thinking of opening up?”
“Demographically? Utah. There’s a huge geek population here, and while it’s a tough market to crack, I think I have the right concept.”
“More specifically, what cities are you considering? Where are you looking at property?”
Nowhere. “I scouted several locations online. Lehi, Herriman, Sandy, Layton…” All part of the different metropolitan areas out here, from what I’d seen. “Every viewing appointment I had was canceled when the rumors hit that I was building something vile.”
“How did those get out?” Kandace typed something else, her fingers flying across the keyboard.
Not a fucking clue. “Still trying to figure that out, but I’ve been working on smoothing things over with the fans. They know me. They know it’s not true.”
“Good. You should focus on that.” She grabbed her phone. “I have the perfect solution for everyone else.” She stood as she dialed.
This wasn’t the shy woman I’d gotten locked in the park with so many months ago. This Kandace was direct. Confident. Knew exactly what she was doing, what she wanted, and how to get it done.
So. Fucking. Sexy.
I listened to her half of a conversation that was basically a repeat of what she and I had just discussed, and that ended with her, “Great, I’ll let him know. You’re the best, thank you.”
Kandace disconnected. “That was Lyndsay, our social media manager—and she is the best at positive PR. She’s the one who smoothed things over when the fake wedding news broke about Carly, Raul, and Diego.”
“Okay?” I’d heard good things about that.
“Her son is traveling this weekend for a wrestling match, and she was trying to figure out how to spend her time.” Kandace settled next to me again. “She’ll be here tomorrow to help you map out a plan.”
That was kind of both of them, but, “I handle my own social media. I’m sure your person is great, but I talk to my own fans.”
“I know. I’ve seen, and they love you for it. She’s not going to take over your accounts. She’s for damage control outside of your fan base, and she’ll make a few suggestions for you going forward, that’s all optional.”
I wouldn’t be taking the suggestions, regardless of who they came from, but I did like the idea of someone dealing with the doubters who didn’t follow me. “I’m not asking her to work for free. What’s her fee?”
“I have it covered.”
No. Free consultation from Kandace was a blurry line, but if she started bringing in more people from her office… “You’re absolutely not the one paying her if she’s working for me.”
Kandace pursed her lips and looked like she was ready to argue. “I’ll have her invoice you.”
“Thank you.”
“So… I have a list of vendors who might be useful to you.” Kandace’s tone had shifted. It wasn’t obvious, but the ease had faded and was replaced with formality. “You may already have several of these, but just in case.”
This wasn’t just because I’d insisted on paying people who worked for me, was it? Couldn’t be. Regardless, I wanted the fun back. “Why do you like this idea?” I asked.
“Because it’s a great idea.”
“Of course it is. But you strike me as the kind of person who wants to be passionate about a project. Why this one?”
Kandace clasped and unclasped her hands, and turned to meet my gaze. “Becauseyou’repassionate about it. It’s clear you love the idea, and you want to bring it to other people who love the same things. But it’s more than that. You’ve put a solid plan in place for execution. It’s not justooh, this sounds fun, but you’ve figured out how to make it happen. The world would be a better place if more people could follow their dreams.”
She spoke with so much sincerity, with such depth and warmth, that I didn’t know how to reply. Instinct saidmake this light.My brain wanted to come back withYou’re in my dreams nightly. Help me follow those?
“You got all of that from a glance?” I said.
One corner of her mouth tugged up. “You sold me with your elevator pitch, and that says a lot. Knowing the person behind the project doesn’t hurt either—if anyone can pull this off, you can.”
Oh. I’d been a lot of things for a lot of people, and that almost always involved what they needed my name or face for. Did she really like me for my brain?
