Venture Forward Read Free

made in heaven, but you’d have me as a referee.”
    “Fine, I’ll review the paperwork. Do you have the financials?”
    Mia pulled one of the folders from her original pile. “Keep an open mind. I’ve never steered you wrong before.”
    “Deal.” He tossed the folder on the desk. Avery Hunter might look better after a double espresso. Or a few shots of Macallan. It was a possibility, albeit remote. “How’s the wedding planning?”
    Her tanned face lit up at the mention. “Great! I can’t believe it’s almost here. It feels like we’ve been planning forever.”
    “Sounds like your fiancé’s been pretty busy while you’ve been handling floral centerpieces and dress fittings. He and James have been hard at work on a new venture. I’m intrigued.”
    “I won’t steal their thunder. I know they’re excited to talk to you. But no meetings during the honeymoon. Got it?”
    “Fair enough. Do you think Chris can handle two weeks of radio silence?”
    “No need to worry about that. I’ve got plenty to keep him occupied.” Mia flashed a wicked grin. “Okay, I’ll leave you to your reading. Don’t forget about the meeting with Ticket Me.”
    “I’ll be there.” As usual, Mia was right. Ticket Me was by far the most promising. After an hour of reading, the numbers blurred. Forget the double espresso. Make it a triple.
    He tossed the pile of folders onto a coffee table, rubbed his eyes, and opened the final packet for CrowdRok. Avery Hunter’s unique concept wasn’t one of crowd funding, but crowd selection and awareness. She offered an online microphone to aspiring singers and musicians, and the world voted on their favorites. Then, leveraging her extensive network of record executives, she’d negotiated lucrative recording contracts for multiple artists over the past year, making CrowdRok millions in royalties and agency fees.
    Maybe it was time to take a look. The numbers were stellar, and there was a bundle to be made. But dealing with a neurotic Type-A CEO? He didn’t need that bullshit in his life. There were plenty of other solid companies clamoring for funding. Besides, he wasn’t one to beg for anything. People ran to him , not the other way around. And that was how he liked it.
    Paul rubbed his temple, trying to block out visions of the voluptuous beach blonde for the umpteenth time. Hell, there was a supreme example of someone he’d never consider partnership material. Or anything else, for that matter.
     

     
    “ I’M SO GLAD YOU moved up here. I know things were rough for you in LA.” Mia sipped her latte, a sympathetic look on her face.
    Avery managed a smile, even though the thought of the life, or lack thereof, in LA made her insides clench. “It was the right choice for me. Thanks for pushing me to make a change.”
    “I had an ulterior motive. I wanted all my bridesmaids close.”
    “So we can take turns managing your Bridezilla tendencies?”
    “Touché. I know I’ve been a little stressed lately. There’s just so much to do. Thank God, you guys haven’t all revolted.”
    “I wouldn’t worry about that. Chris already paid us off to make sure we keep you happy.”
    “Aha. So that’s why you’ve been sending an endless supply of wine and chocolate. He must have made a pretty sweet offer.”
    “You know your fiancé. He only does big. New BMW M5s, can you believe it?”
    Mia snickered. “Actually, no, since he’s an Audi guy. But nice try.” Her bright smile waned as she stirred more sugar into her latte. “How’s your mom?”
    “Same, I guess. Our last conversation left me all warm and fuzzy, as usual.”
    “Have you spoken to her at all? I mean, really had it out since Tara died?”
    “It wouldn’t matter. She resents the relationship I had with my dad before he split, resents my decision to leave for Pittsburgh, and let’s not even talk about what I did to Tara.”
    “You have to stop blaming yourself.”
    “How can I not? My decision could have been the