Page 2 of Hot SEAL, Under Pressure

She saw a crack in the wall as Joanne looked a little more interested and nodded. “Go on.”

“We put eight teams in competition against each other in challenges based on the SEALs’ BUD/S training. Each team will be comprised of one SEAL and one civilian.”

When Joanne laid her phone on the table Shelly knew she’d really gotten her attention.

“The marketing team for actor Jamey Garret’s movie where he played a SEAL did something along these lines to promote the movie and bring attention to the fact they’d used actual SEALs as extras in the action scenes. They had a real Navy SEAL run the obstacle course at Coronado, and then had Jamey run the course after him. The video of it has over five million hits on YouTube. We can do that too. One SEAL and one every day, average Joe.”

Joanne nodded slowly as she got a faraway look in her eyes. “Okay, but let’s make all the teams be one SEAL and onefemalecivilian.”

Shelly’s heart began to pound as it looked like her show idea might become a reality, even though she saw exactly where Joanne’s mind was going.

Making the teams co-ed would add another element to the show, because of course Joanne would be hoping for romance. Or more accurately, for the team members to hook-up.

Sex sells. The old adage was true, and sex on reality shows translated to an instant ratings boost.

While Shelly had been envisioning a more athletic, action type show, such asAmerican Ninja WarriororWipeout, Joanne clearly had a different idea. Shelly knew they’d cast only single, hot, young and beautiful people.

It would be more like theBachelor in Paradisebut with an obstacle course. That wasn’t what Shelly had wanted, but it might be what she’d get. She’d have to accept that. Beggars can’t be choosers.

“You know what. Let’s kick it up another notch. We’ll get our SEALs and their wives to fill three of the team spots.”

Shelly’s eyes flew wide. “Um, what?”

“Clay and Tasha, Zach and Gabby, and Nick and Dani. They’ll bring in a ready-made fanbase.”

If there was one thing Shelly knew for certain, it was that not one of those SEALs Joanne had mentioned was going to want to do this new show, even with their wives as partners.

“Uh, I don’t—”

Obviously not hearing Shelly, or just not listening, Joanne continued speaking, “Get our couples on board, find five more camera-ready teams, and we’ll start shooting the sizzle reel. We need that done right away so we can start pitching it to networks while Clay and Tasha are away on their honeymoon.”

With that, Joanne left, leaving Shelly with her final protest still unspoken on her lips and with a sick feeling in her stomach. Not to mention an impossible task in front of her.

She should have never pitched the idea.

When she failed miserably at pulling it all together as Joanne had specified, it would be a catastrophic blow to her career. She should have just kept her mouth shut.

As she envisioned her hopes and dreams going down the toilet, her cell phone vibrated on the table in front of her where she’d abandoned it in her grief.

She glanced at the display and saw her best friend’s name.

“Alicia. Hi,” she said on a sigh.

“You don’t have to sound quite so enthusiastic to be talking to me.” Alicia laughed.

“Sorry. Joanne just dumped a big mess in my lap.”

“You thrive on sorting out Joanne’s big messes. And as usual, you’ll perform some miracle. The boss will be happy and then you’ll be riding an adrenaline high until the next mess comes along. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.”

Her best friend knew her well, although what Alicia didn’t know was the challenge she was up against.

“I’m not sure I can work a miracle this time.”

“Will a drink and a bitch session at McP’s help?” Alicia asked.

“God, yes.” Shelly glanced at the time on her smartwatch. It was coming up on rush hour. She calculated for the traffic that would be between her and that much needed drink. “I can be there in half an hour.”

“I’ll be there in fifteen. I’ll have a drink waiting for you. Because that’s the kind of friend I am,” Alicia joked.

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