“That doesn’t equal a sale,” she retorted. “Because I left the SOS device, the best chance at a sale, in my lost luggage.”
“Who cares?” His features strained with frustration. “One of my sales mentors when I was sixteen taught me how to sell swimming pools. We could’ve been selling dog shit for fertilizer. The thing is, it wasn’t about the product. We sold the idea of how great it would be to have a pool in the backyard for their kids to play in when a heat wave hit Last Vegas.”
Unimpressed by the obvious, she shrugged. “So?”
“So the main goal was to get inside the house, since we were selling door to door. The moment we sat down with them at their kitchen table, we could bank on the sale.”
“I still don’t get it.”
He smoothed his thumbs across her cheeks. “Every major decision a family makes often comes down to discussions around the kitchen table, I don’t care who you are or what your background. You got the client to cross oceans and time zones to sit at the table with us and discuss negotiations. I can promise you they wouldn’t go through the trouble if they didn’t know on some level they’d sign on with us. And that’s because of you.”
She dropped her gaze. “I guess.”
“Cade is pissed for no reason. He knows I’ll make the sale. Or, if he doesn’t, I guarantee Trey Soren has my back. He knows me better than anyone. He’ll take this glitch in stride.” Isaac kissed her softly. “Baby, you’re worried for no reason.”
“But…” Her chin trembled. “This isn’t totally about you. They all know how great and capable you are. This was about me proving I can handle a sale and get a client to fall in love with Soren Security.”
He eyed her sincerely. “Mindy, you’ve done that. They’re coming to our headquarters.”
“Unless Marcus decides not to because I didn’t come through.”
Isaac said nothing for a few moments, which reinforced her mother’s words and doubts.
“Face it. If it wasn’t for you, I would’ve ruined this trip completely. I’ll never be given a second chance to make a first impression.”
“That’s not—”
“You know it’s true.” Her gaze bored into his and he glanced away. “I’m not stupid. I know what it takes to make it in this business. I wanted to, I truly did, but it’s obvious I’m not cut out for sales.”
“Don’t count yourself out yet.”
“Why not?” She shoved away from him. “We’ll both have to face Trey. When we do, we both know what we need to say. And I hold you to a very high standard.” Her eyes met his and held fast. “You must be truthful. That’s the only way to make this right and do what’s best for the company. It’s not about us.”
A hint of defeat drew down the corners of his mouth.
“You can’t lie to Trey like you did to Cade.”
Isaac dipped his chin. “I hear you. I’m not going to lie.”
When his gaze returned to hers, she found so much compassion in the depths she couldn’t bear to look at him. She stood, brushed past him and dressed for the plane ride home, which would take off within three hours.
As Isaac released a distressed sigh, the phone in their room rang. He answered, thanked the man, and set the phone in the cradle. “Maybe we beat your Mercury retrograde after all. Our luggage just arrived.”
While Isaac went down to the lobby to retrieve their newfound luggage and bring up a garment bag he’d ordered for her new wardrobe, Mindy glanced at the bed where he’d made passionate love to her. Despite her stress over their jobs, a wistful heartache settled under her ribs. Housekeeping would have no doubt about the phenomenal sex that had happened between those sheets. She placed her hand over her abdomen.
A fresh wave of longing poured through her when she thought of how he’d taken her, entered her, stretched her, and made her deliciously sore. No matter what, she’d never regret the incomparable experience of being made love to by Isaac. His skill and mastery made for the best memories of her life.
Nothing could take that away or lessen the beauty of what they’d shared, even if their careers or personal choices mandated they never touch each other romantically again.
A frown pulled at her lips and her heart knotted. They both needed time apart to think long and hard about their priorities. About what mattered more, what mattered most, at this stage of their lives. She needed to accept they may come to different conclusions and decide to part ways.
The knots in her chest tightened, but if nothing else, Helen had taught her to be pragmatic. Like a dozen fresh-cut roses, no matter how stunning and memorable, some things simply weren’t meant to last.