Page 114 of The Sebastian Guarantee
“We believe you have the drive to lead this endeavor, Phoebe. We’d like to invest in Go Girl. It would be an honor for us to work with the daughter of the woman Enid, Shirley, Theodora, and I held in such high regard. We see so much of her in you. Would you consider partnering with us?”
Feeling her parents’ presence, Phoebe pressed her hand to her heart. “I couldn’t imagine a better fit. Thank you.”
Mae gestured to Sebastian. “You might want to thank him as well. Sebastian has been in talks with the Tech Tweens organization. It’s my understanding that, once your company is up and running, they’d like to join as one of the first Go Girl sponsors. He also planned this hot dog and cookie sale to help them raise funds to expand their organization to include younger girls.”
“They want to call it Tech Tinies, and I can sign up,” Tula chirped, joining the group in her big-brother-matching hot dog suit.
Now that was a sight.
“When did you get here, Tula?” Phoebe asked, patting the girl’s cheek.
“We’ve been here a while.”
Phoebe glanced past the child and found their friends and family standing together.
“We’re here for the press conference,” Tula continued. She pointed toward the open space where men and women with cameras and microphones clustered around a raised stage.
“Press conference?” Phoebe repeated, then eyed Sebastian.
“Business rule number one: strike when the iron is hot. LETIS Live is a big tech draw, and we’ve got food trucks. Thanks to the Munch Match app, that’ll bring in the community. It’s the perfect place to announce Go Girl.” That self-assured glint sparked in his eyes. “It also doesn’t hurt when the sexiest man on the internet posts about a new tech endeavor on his socials.”
“I bet it doesn’t,” she answered, hardly able to believe everything Sebastian had accomplished in such a short amount of time.
“Shall we?” Claudette gestured toward the stage.
“You’re okay with looking like that for the world to see?” Phoebe asked Sebastian, keeping her voice down.
“This isn’t the only thing the world’s about to see,” he answered with a wink.
What else did he have up his sleeve?
Sebastian nodded to the investors, then stepped forward. “Thank you for joining us. I’m Sebastian Cress, and I’m happy to be here today, dressed like a hot dog, to call attention to a fundraiser supporting girls in technology. The event is going on now, and it’s being held adjacent to the Denver Amphitheater. We invite everyone in the city to come on down and enjoy cookies and hot dogs from local food truck merchants. We also have another major announcement.”
The journalists and reporters edged closer to the stage.
“We’re here to celebrate the partnership between tech innovator Phoebe Gale, the Marieuse Investment Group, and STEM Development. They’ll be working together to create an online community supporting girls and women in technology. This sweeping endeavor is called Go Girl.”
“Will you play a part in Go Girl, Mr. Cress?” a reporter called.
Sebastian flashed his social-media-ready, panty-melting grin. “That’s a great question, and it’s a question that I’d like to address right now with a guarantee for Go Girl’s mastermind, Phoebe Gale.” He took her hand and brought her to the front of the stage.
“What type of guarantee are you talking about?” she asked.
He took her hands in his and gazed into her eyes. “I guarantee I’ve loved you since I was six years old and I will love you every day for the rest of our lives. You’re a part of me, Phoebe Gale. You, with your amazing brain and slightly concerning lifelong hot dog addiction, are intertwined with my soul. I want to live my life by your side. This is what my mum would want for me. I can feel her smiling down on us. Let’s give Go Girl everything we’ve got.”
“Let me get this straight, Sebastian Cress,” she said, working to keep her voice from cracking as camera flashes peppered the air with bursts of light. “You’re in love with me. You want to be with me, and you want to work for me?”
His lips quirked into a cocky grin. “I’m not trying to brag, but I’ve already done one hell of a job. You’ll be the president, of course. I’m thinking chief executive officer for me.”
This man.
She schooled her features. “I’ll be CEOandpresident. I can offer you a position as vice president.”
Hello, girl boss ball-buster!
“Vice president?” he repeated, weighing the words.
“Mm-hmm,” she hummed, suppressing a smirk.
