Page 12 of Blue Collar Billionaire
“He’s so hands-on at work. He talks with all of his workers, and I’m sure the festival’s been a topic of conversation.” Lexi’s face flushed with uncertainty.
“Well, Jack? Do you care to fill us in? Has anyone been talking about it?” Lila asked.
“The truth?” he answered.
“Of course,” Lila said.
He cleared his throat and prepared his unvarnished words. “Outside the TCC, I’m not sure the festival is on anyone’s radar. My guys know about it, but only because that’s what’s paying the bills right now.”
“Do you think we should be doing more advertising?” Valencia asked.
“That could work, but if I’m being honest, I think the real problem is the advisory board. You all travel in the same circles. You need to get people outside of that insular world involved.”
“We’ve been speaking to a documentary filmmaker named Abby Carmichael about filming the festival. That might help to build some buzz if we can talk about that,” Lila said.
“That’s a start, but I think it might be wise to get some free PR, too. Maybe find some social media influencers to talk up the festival. That’s how you’ll gain traction outside of Texas. If you’ve got people flying in from other parts of the country, then you change the game completely.”
Lila and Valencia looked at each other, nodding eagerly. “That’s great advice. I will work on that,” Lila said, turning her attention back to Jack and Lexi. “Thank you so much for giving us your take on it, Jack.”
“No problem. Anytime.”
“And feel free to reach out to me,” Lexi added. “As you know, I’m handling the bank’s involvement in the festival. Give me a call if you ever think of any opportunities for us to get more involved.”
“Sure thing,” Lila said. “We’ll leave you two alone and let you get back to your meeting.” With that, Lila and Valencia wandered back to the hostess, who saw them to a table on the other side of the diner.
“Meeting, huh?” Jack asked. “I thought we were on a lunch date.”
“I’m sorry. I just sort of panicked.”
“Lexi, I need you to know something. I don’t have some hidden agenda here. I like you. I enjoyed our date last night, and I’d like to see you some more. But I’m also not going to pretend to be something that I’m not. When you’re surprised I own more than one car, and tell Lila Jones that I can be the voice of everyday people, it’s pretty clear that you don’t see me as being up to snuff. I don’t need to spend time with a woman who looks at me that way.”
Lexi frantically shook her head from side to side. “No. No. It’s not that.” She closed her eyes for a moment, drew in a deep breath and brought her shoulders nearly up to her ears. When her eyes popped back open, they were so full of vulnerability that it was an arrow straight to his heart. “I like you a lot. You’re just very different from any guy I’ve ever been out with. That’s all. And I’m afraid that certain reflexes die hard. I come from a family that’s ridiculously fixated on things like money and influence and power. But I’m not like that. Really. I’m not. Still, it’s hard to not notice those things when you’ve been spent your whole life around people who do.”
“Fair enough. I just need you to make a conscious effort to tone that down a bit. Maybe find a way to relax and have fun.”
She smiled sweetly. “Yes. Fun. I desperately want to do that. I’m sorry, but I will do better.”
“Okay, good. Because I don’t want to think that you’re embarrassed to be seen with me.”
“I’m not. At all.”
“Okay.” Jack wasn’t entirely convinced. “Maybe you’ll have a chance to prove that to me at some point.”
“Actually...” Lexi’s eyes sparkled from behind a thick fringe of dark lashes. “Do you have a tux?”
“I do. Why?”
“My sister organized a fundraiser for the children’s literacy program at the TCC, and I want you to be my date for it.”
Jack wanted to laugh. Being with Lexi was a roller coaster. Just a minute ago, she’d been covering her tracks and saying they were having a meeting. But now she wanted him to be her date at a fancy charity event. “When is it?”
“Next Friday. It’ll give you a chance to meet my sister and my parents.”
“I’ve already met your dad.”
“You have?”
Jack didn’t want to get into it now. Maybe Winston Alderidge had changed. And if not, he would deal with the fallout then. “It was a while ago.”
