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“Yes. I’m sure we’ll come to an agreement.”

Her brain felt numb. Her body felt numb. But she knew her mouth moved, as she heard her own voice.

“Thank you for your confidence. I won’t let you down.”

“I trust you won’t. Would you like to know why we decided to go with a freelance one-woman company in her first year of business?”

“I would, for a variety of reasons.”

“You respected the history of this company, and the family behind it, while looking forward. Without the history and the family, there would be no Ryder Sports, and no looking forward. In addition, Ryder Sports isn’t just for professional athletes, but for everyone. Your vision embraced exactly that.”

“My father taught me how to ride a two-wheeler. It was a Ryder.”

Now Miranda smiled fully. “Was it?”

“Yes. And I still remember that wild thrill when he let go. I think I’m about to feel it again.”

“It’s going to be a pleasure working with you. Burt will be in touch. Oh, one more thing? There are offices very near where Mr. Wise spoke with you before your presentation, and some with doors open.”

“Oh.”

“You won this account through your own merits and because webelieve your vision aligns with ours. If we had opted to go with By Design, it would have been contingent on Mr. Wise being removed from the campaign. We don’t tolerate dishonesty and bullying at Ryder. We’ll speak again,” she concluded, and signed out.

Instantly Tina Turner banged out with “The Best.”

Still numb, Sonya just sat, staring at nothing, counting her own breaths.

When the numbness broke, she curled up in her chair and wept.

Cleo started her morning shuffle down the hall, and when she saw Sonya, it turned into a run.

“What happened? What’s wrong?”

“Ryder,” Sonya managed as Cleo wrapped around her.

“Oh, baby, I’m so sorry. I don’t know—” She broke off when she drew Sonya’s face up to swipe at her tears. “Wait, wait! I know that face. I know those kinds of tears. Oh my God, you got it! You got the account.”

“I got the account.”

Weeping with her now, Cleo dragged her up to embrace.

“I’m so happy for you. I’m so proud of you. Tell me what they said. Everything. I don’t even need coffee!”

“They liked my direction—the history, the family, the everything.”

“You were right about that direction, from the get-go. That was your instinct, your insight, and you ran with it. You made it work.”

“I went numb, I mean like a full mind/body shot-of-Novocaine numb. Burt’s going to contact me about terms. Terms. Oh my God, Cleo!”

“I’m going to dance now.”

When Cleo did, Clover went with ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.”

“I’ve got to text Mom, and Trey, and oh, Corrine. Her photographs. Cleo.”

“Dancing!”

“Cleo, somebody heard what Brandon said to me. Somebody overheard our conversation, and it got back to Miranda. That’s who called to tell me.”