Page 48 of The Promises We Break

Me: That sounds a whole hell of a lot like, “I’ll miss you, Hudson.” :-)

Little Red: Maybe ;) Sadly, I mentioned this to Cruz and he is trying to talk me into going out. Send help.

Me: Good luck with that. No one stops him from getting what he wants.

Little Red: I’m learning that about him.

Me: Still have your meeting with Elena today?

Little Red: I do, in 15 minutes. I’m so nervous.

Me: Don’t be. It’s a great idea, and she is going to love it.

Little Red: I hope so.

26

EMBER

Knock. Knock.

I tap my knuckles on the outside of Elena’s door and look back at Cruz, who’s giving me two thumbs up with a ridiculously large smile. Even with my nerves taking over all my bodily functions, I can’t help but smile back at him.

“Come in,” Elena calls out from somewhere behind her office door.

I take a deep breath and turn the handle, pushing it forward, and walk into her office.

“Good Afternoon,” I announce with more confidence than I feel.

“Hey, Ember. How is everything going?” she returns with an ease I’m jealous of as she types on her keyboard.

“Great, it’s really great,” I reply. “Not only is this a dream job, but I’m learning so much from everyone.”

“That’s so great to hear.” She closes her laptop and looks my way, giving me her full attention. “Cruz mentioned you had a couple ideas you wanted to run by me during our meeting today.”

Damn him. He told her that in case I chickened out. Which has crossed my mind twice already since I walked in.

“Actually, yeah. I have some ideas that I thought might work in getting some more traction for XConnect. It’s… unconventional. But, if we do it right, I think it could pay off.”

A look of curiosity crosses over her face. “Really? Interesting. Tell me more.”

I have been doing nothing but thinking of this idea for the last couple weeks, and the fact that she’s giving me this chance to propose something new and different, I wanted to take it seriously. I open my portfolio and pull out two pieces of paper. One has a full floor plan mockup that I created, along with a detailed proposal, in a business plan format.

“We’ve run some surveys with our users, and there was a lot of feedback that people were hesitant to meet up because we have no way to truly scan for AI pictures or filtered pictures. Also, women are more and more reluctant to meet strangers these days. There are so many matchmaking platforms out there, and although our niche is a little more unique and aimed toward sexual pleasures, users are still hesitant.”

She leans forward in her chair. “Okay, tell me what you’re thinking. How do we combat that challenge?”

“Well…” clearing my throat, “I thought maybe we could bring a function to them. Sort of a set up meet and greet.” I slide the floorplan sketch I made in front of her. The mockup has a full-scale club and bar, along with different rooms and areas in which people can meet. The layout is based on the layout of our website, directing our users to their desired kinks. Certain rooms designated for those who want to explore. I explain all of this in detail to Elena, referencing back to my business plan, detailed with membership programs, sign up options, and managing this event a couple of times a month.

“I feel like this may boost user engagement and allow for a safe space for people to meet. Member-only events, and we cantheme them, depending on where we see the most traffic on the website.” My mouth feels like quicksand as I swallow thickly, finishing my proposal.

“I know the cost of an on-site club is not ideal, clearly. But I think this will allow us to not only increase the base cost, but collect door fees as well. Also, if we’re able to sell liquor, I have the liquor license permit process on that second page there, plus product sales at the venue. I truly believe it will pay itself off, and more importantly, promote our users to engage both in person and virtually. It’s time we get our recent generations out from behind their computers and phones in a comfortable and safe environment.”

She studies the plan; her eyes bounce between my business plan and side written notes, then the sketch. Back and forth.

I have no idea what she is thinking, and it’s killing me.

“So, yeah, I thought it could be, XConnect - Unleashed Live or Live After Dark or even simply, XConnect - the club, something catchy and—” She stands, straightening her blazer before grabbing the papers and rounding her desk.

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