Page 62 of I Don't Need Your Protection

For a second, it looks like he might reach for my hand. I would very much want to hold his hand! But he doesn’t. I try not to be disappointed.

“So let’s see,” he says as he looks at the list Mrs. Powell provided us. “Want to try our luck in that place?” He nods to a store that sells clothes.

I shrug. “Sure.”

I follow him inside, and Warner wastes no time walking up to one of the employees, a college-aged woman. He flashes her his charming smile and says, “Can we please speak to your manager?”

She stares at him like she’s never seen someone so handsome before in her life. Like she stands before a Greek god.

“Of course,” she says, totally nervous. “I’ll see if he’s available.”

She stares at him for a few more seconds before offering him a flirty smile and walking away.

I slap Warner’s chest.

“What?” he demands.

“You’re supposed to work your charm on the manager, not an employee.”

He gives me a cheeky smile. “I can’t help it if the ladies love me.”

I roll my eyes at him.

“What?” he asks again, then laughs.

I hear a noise to my left, and both Warner and Iturn in that direction. Warner probably didn’t realize, but I catch sight of Caleb’s shoe. He managed to hide behind one of the clothing racks.

“Not such a ninja after all,” I mutter with a laugh. I don’t know why he has to hide here in the store. I’m sure no one would pay attention to him if he was out here in the open looking for clothes. But that’s Caleb.

“Did you say something?” Warner asks.

“Um, no.”

The female employee returns with a middle-aged man. She remains close by, as though she wants to ogle Warner for as long as she can.

“Can I help you?” the manager asks.

“Yes.” Warner raises his chin in a manner that exudes confidence. “My associate and I would like to offer you a business opportunity. Can we speak to you in private?”

It takes everything I have not to hide my smile. Warner definitely knows how to work his audience. The man might not be a young woman, but he certainly appears caught in Warner’s Web of Charm.

And based on his expression, he knows exactly we’re from Harrington Bay Academy and why we’re here. He’s also treating us as though we really are here for a business venture.

Once we’re in his office and he sits down, I slide my laptop out of my backpack and Warner sets it up on his desk. He then proceeds with the presentation, trying to convince the guy why it’s in his best interest to invest in Your Dream Plushie.

Even though I worked on most of the presentation, Warnerdoes such an amazing job presenting it to our potential investor. The way he carries himself and utters the words makes a person feel like he’s selling them gold. EvenIwould invest in this company.

“Just imagine,” he says in this dreamy tone. “Your child is having a hard time in school. Maybe they’re being bullied or aren’t making a lot of friends. Maybe they feel lonely. Then imagine gifting them with a best friend they imagined all on their own. And imagine their new best friend offering them words of love and encouragement.”

He then finishes the presentation with a video of a little girl and boy squealing in excitement when the buddies of their imagination come to life right before their eyes. They rush over to their parents who are holding the plushies out before them and snatch them into their arms, hugging them tightly and crying out in pure bliss. The video ends with them snuggling with their besties and finally having a good night’s sleep.

I’m so proud of myself. I worked my butt off on that video and the result is amazing, if I may say so myself.

The guy looks at us with a huge grin on his face. “That sounds like a wonderful product, one my children would love to have, especially my youngest who’s currently struggling in school. You definitely have my interest.”

It takes all I have not to throw my arms around Warner. He doesn’t seem as exuberant as me, though.

Once we’re done, we thank the guy and leave the store. “What did I tell you?” Warner says with a chuckle. “Piece of cake.”