Chapter 28
HOLLIS
Ifollowed Dan down the hallway toward his office. The champagne buzz I’d been riding evaporated with each step. This was it. He knew. Somehow he’d figured out that I’d been sleeping with his daughter, and now he was going to end the partnership and probably my entire business in one conversation.
I ran through possible explanations in my head. We could keep it professional. It wouldn’t affect our work together. We were both adults. All of it sounded weak even to me.
Dan held his office door open and gestured for me to enter. I stepped inside, trying not to look like a man walking to his execution. The last time I’d been in here, he assigned me and Juno to work together. Did he have any idea how that partnership might turn out?
“Have a seat,” Dan said, closing the door behind us.
I sat in one of the leather chairs across from his desk, forcing myself to maintain eye contact even though I wanted to stare at my shoes like a kid called to the principal’s office.
Dan settled into his own chair and leaned back, studying me with an expression I couldn’t quite read. Not angry. Not disapproving. Just very thoughtful like he was trying to decide what to say.
“Hollis,” he began, and I braced myself for the worst. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Okay.”
“I’ve been very impressed with what you’ve accomplished with B Well. The shake partnership has exceeded my expectations. You’ve shown real business acumen, dedication, and an understanding of this industry that’s rare in someone your age.”
I nodded, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“Which is why I’d like to propose another partnership.”
I blinked. “Another partnership?”
“Yes.” He leaned forward, his hands folded on the desk. “Do you remember when we first met, you mentioned you’d been working on a plant-based burger?”
Relief flooded through me so fast I felt dizzy. This wasn’t about Juno. This was business.
“I do,” I said, my brain scrambling to catch up. “I’ve been developing it for about a year now. The taste is solid, better than anything else on the market. But the production costs are killing me. I can’t figure out how to make it affordable enough for mass market without sacrificing quality.”
“That’s exactly where Young at Heart could help.
” Dan pulled out a folder from his desk drawer and opened it.
“We have a team that specializes in cost-effective production without compromising ingredient quality. It’s what we do.
If you’re interested, I’d like to set up a meeting between you and our development team.
See if we can figure out how to make your burger commercially viable. ”
I stared at him, trying to process what he was offering.
The plant-based burger had been my white whale.
I’d poured money into R&D, worked with food scientists, tested dozens of formulations.
I had something that actually tasted good, not like cardboard or mud or whatever other insults people usually threw at meat substitutes.
But every time I ran the numbers on production, they didn’t make sense.
The cost per unit was too high. I couldn’t sell it at a price point that would move volume.
“You really think your team could solve the production issue?” I asked.
“I do. You’ve got the product and the marketing reach. We’ve got the infrastructure and the expertise in scaling production. Together, we could actually make this work.” He smiled. “And if it performs even half as well as the shake, we’ll both be very rich men.”
I laughed, some of the tension finally leaving my shoulders. “I like the sound of that.”
Not that the money motivated me. I had plenty and I knew he did as well. It was the taste of success that really got my juices flowing. That and knowing I got to help people.
“So you’re interested?” he asked.
“Absolutely. Yes. Let’s set something up with your team.”
“Good.” Dan made a note on a pad of paper. “I’ll have my assistant coordinate schedules. We’ll get everyone in a room next week and see what’s possible.”
“Thank you,” I said. “Seriously. This could be huge.”
“I know.” He set his pen down and looked at me again, that thoughtful expression returning. “Hollis, can I ask you something else? Off the record?”
My stomach clenched. Here it came.
“Sure.”
“What are your intentions with this business? Long term. Are you in this for the quick win, or are you building something that will last?”
I took a breath, grateful that the question was about business and not his daughter.
“I’m building something that will last. I know people assume I’m just playing entrepreneur until I get bored, but that’s not what this is.
B Well is my life’s work. I want to build a brand that actually helps people.
It’s not just another celebrity cash grab. ”
Dan nodded slowly. “I believe you. And I think you have what it takes to make it happen.” He paused. “Which is why I’m willing to take another chance on you with this burger project.”
“I won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t.” He stood, extending his hand across the desk. “Welcome to the team, partner.”
I shook his hand. This wasn’t just about money or business success. This was validation. Proof that I’d earned my place at the table through my own merit, not my family name.
“Thank you,” I said again. “Really.”
“You’ve earned it.” He walked me to the door, his hand on my shoulder. “Now get back out there and enjoy your celebration. You’ve had a hell of a day.”
I stepped back into the hallway, my head spinning. Another partnership. The burger project I’d almost given up on was back in play. Young at Heart’s resources and expertise were going to get it across the finish line.
I walked back toward the conference room, where I could hear the party still going strong. Juno was standing near the windows, talking to her assistant. She looked up when I entered, her eyes immediately searching mine with a question I couldn’t answer in front of everyone.
I crossed the room to her side. Her assistant smiled and disappeared, practically into thin air.
“Everything okay?” she asked, her champagne flute in front of her mouth like she was afraid someone might overhear.
I wanted to grab her and spin her around. “Your dad wants to partner on another project,” I said quietly.
Her eyebrows shot up. “What project?”
“The meatless burger. He thinks Young at Heart can solve the production cost issue.”
“That’s incredible,” she breathed, and I could see the excitement building in her expression. “Hollis, that’s huge.”
“I know.”
“We’ve been trying to crack plant-based burgers for years,” she said, leaning in closer. “If you’ve actually got something that works, this could be massive.”
“It works. It just needs your team’s magic touch on the production side.”
“I can’t wait to get started.” Her eyes were bright with excitement, and I realized this was one of the things I loved most about her, the way she lit up talking about work. Not in a workaholic way but like she had genuine passion for what she did. “This is going to be so much fun.”
“Fun?” I grinned. “You think working with me is fun?”
“Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Too late.”
She rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.
The celebration wound down over the next hour. People started trickling out, congratulating me one more time. I shook hands, accepted compliments, and tried not to check my phone every five seconds to see the view count climbing on the commercial.
By the time the last person left, it was just me, Juno, and Kari cleaning up the conference room.
“I’ve got this,” Kari said, waving us off. “You two go.”
I caught Juno’s eye and gestured toward the door. She followed me out into the hallway.
“So,” I said as we walked toward the elevators. “Come over tonight?”
She bit her lip, pretending to consider it even though I could see the answer in her eyes. “I suppose I could make an appearance.”
“Just an appearance?”
“We’ll see how it goes.”
The elevator doors opened, and we stepped inside. The moment they closed, I pulled her against me and kissed her. She melted into it immediately, her hands sliding up my chest.
“I can’t stop thinking about you,” I murmured against her mouth.
“Good,” she breathed. “Because I can’t stop thinking about you either.”
The elevator dinged, announcing our arrival at the parking garage. We broke apart, both of us slightly breathless.
“Tonight,” I said.
“Six?”
“I’ll be waiting.”
The moment I was in my car, I called Micah. He was the first one I wanted to tell. My success had a lot to do with him.
He answered immediately. “Tell me you’re looking at the view count right now.”
“I am. Over a million. More importantly, we already hit our sales goal. Young at Heart will help me scale up production so we can meet all these orders.”
“I told you it would be huge.” I could hear the satisfaction in his voice. “Jack Montana’s star power doesn’t hurt.”
“Speaking of which, I owe you big time for making that happen.”
“You can thank me by letting me direct your next commercial. Which, based on these numbers, should be happening very soon.”
I laughed, pulled out of the parking garage, and headed toward the freeway. “Actually, that’s why I’m calling. Dan Young just offered me another partnership.”
“Another one? Damn, Hollis. You’re on fire.”
“The plant-based burger.”
“No shit?”
“Yeah. Dan thinks Young at Heart can solve the cost issue. We’re meeting with their development team next week.”
Micah let out a low whistle. “That’s great, man. If you can crack the plant-based burger market with a product that actually tastes good, you’ll own that space.”
“I know. I’m trying not to get ahead of myself, but this could be massive.”
“And let me guess. Juno will be working on it with you?”
“Yep.”
He laughed. “I’m happy for you, bro. For both the business and the girl.”
“Thanks, Micah. Seriously. For everything. The commercial, the advice, all of it.”
“That’s what brothers are for. Congrats.”
The drive home took longer than usual thanks to traffic, but I didn’t mind. I spent the time thinking about everything that had happened today and what the night held in store.
I got home and immediately started cleaning. Not that my place was a disaster, but Juno was coming over and I wanted everything to be perfect. I straightened the pillows on the couch, wiped down the kitchen counters, and made sure there were fresh towels in the bathroom.
And then I ordered dinner for two.