Page 65 of The Sebastian Guarantee
Focus, man!“Almost there,” he answered and returned to the keys.
“You were gracious when you explained your app, but if you don’t mind me saying,” Shirley pondered, “you seemed a bit reluctant to talk about it with the investors.”
“Can I share a secret with you?” Phoebe asked.
His ears perked up.
“What’s said in the sewing circle stays in the sewing circle,” Mae answered.
“While I’m grateful investors are interested in the Munch Match app, and I’m thrilled people have found their love match standing in line,” Phoebe began, “my passion is to create an online community tailored to girls and women of all ages. I’m dreaming big. I want to build a clearing house for girls and women to experience the full scope of what’s available to them in the tech world. There are more women innovators now, but look around.” She gestured to the crowd—the heavily male-dominated crowd. “Girls need a starting point that will support them throughout their life, and women need a consistent community to build and maintain relationships.”
“My goodness, that sounds quite comprehensive. What kinds of things would you offer to them in this community?” Theodora asked as the ladies’ demeanor sharpened.
He studied the sewing circle. For a group of women with a website from thirty years ago, they sure seemed interested in Phoebe’s idea.
“The sky’s the limit. I’d create a whole host of entry points,” she answered with the effervescent enthusiasm that drew people in.
“Such as?” Enid asked, looking dead sober.
“Apps to connect like-minded women to foster collaboration, team-based online gaming to promote camaraderie, mentorship opportunities between younger and more seasoned members, ways to apply and be a part of vetted community groups, applications to join tech organizations, chat forums, and an educational component to build skills. My goal is to have girls join Go Girl—that’s what I’m calling it—and remain a part of the community for their entire lives. It’s got to be flexible and always striving to meet the members’ needs.”
Shirley narrowed her gaze. “Why didn’t you mention this idea to the investors?”
Phoebe shrugged. “The Munch Match app is what people are buzzing about.”
“And there’s nothing wrong with playing your strongest card,” he interjected as he finished setting up the marketplace feature.
“You believe the Munch Match app is Phoebe’s strongest card?” Theodora asked. And it wasn’t only Theodora. Every woman at the table zeroed in on him.
“I think she should pursue what will bring her success—the fastest route to success. And that appears to be the Munch Match app.” It was a sound explanation. Why did he feel like he was on shaky ground?
For what seemed like a century, no one at the table said a word.
“We’ve taken up enough of your time,” Theodora said, breaking the heavy stretch of silence.
“Indeed, we have. Thank you for helping us,” Shirley added, her features softening.
The women appeared pleasant enough, but it felt like he’d failed a test. It would have been damned nice if he’d known what he’d done wrong.
He rose to his feet, then turned the laptop toward the ladies. “Enter your banking information here, click save, and you’ll be good to go.”
“You’ve helped us so much,” Mae gushed, passing the laptop to Enid. “Enjoy your time at Glenn Pines. Feel free to explore the grounds. But I must warn you. Autumn is mud season in the mountains. If we get heavy rain, the trails become impassable until the storm lets up.”
“We’ll keep that in mind. It was lovely spending time with you,” Phoebe said, coming to his side.
The women said their goodbyes, and he pressed his hand to the small of Phoebe’s back, leading her away from the lodge’s main hall and back toward the wing with the guest rooms. He reached into his pocket, got the key, and checked the room number.
“The women are great, aren’t they?” Phoebe commented, her words taking on an uneasy lilt.
“They are.”
“It’s weird. It’s like I knew them, or they knew me.” She sighed and took his arm. “I know what you’re going to say.”
He rested his hand on hers. “And what’s that?”
“You’ll say that I feel that way about everyone.”
“I think it’s the other way around, Pheebs. People feel that way about you. You’ve got a heart like no other, and you let people into it without reservation,” he answered as they walked down the dimly lit corridor.
