Overcoming Fear (Growing Pains #2)(78)

“Krista,” John said, striding up with hands on hips. He looked around at everyone, then honed in on her again. “You’re scared. You’re new to this. I get that. But you look great. You smell great. You have more knowledge on this stuff than all of us combined. If anyone can succeed today, it’s you. Have faith in yourself, follow that big, boring brain of yours and you’ll land on your feet. I have all the faith in you.”

“That was very to the point, John. Thank you,” Krista said, laughing.

John looked at Ben, “I don’t quite know what it is you do, but Sean seems to think you do it well, so let’s land it!”

Everyone blinked and looked at John, and suddenly, just like that, they were in conquer mode.

Chapter Twenty-Two

“Alright, Sean, the clients are here. Showtime.” John made a circle in the air with his finger.

Before they arrived, Krista said, “Sean, if you escort me out halfway through the meeting today, I will key your car.”

Everyone snickered, having heard that Sean had done that with the first presentation. Except John, but he didn’t have time for a proper talking-down, because the clients were now in sight!

Everyone tensed. This was the money. This was what they’d worked so hard for. They needed this sale.

Mr. Hartling led the group, laughing and joking with the CEO.! A new wave of heat filled Krista’s suit, exiting the neck hole in something resembling steam. She really hoped she didn’t sweat through the suit!

Sean stepped forward, debonair and completely in charge, he worked his way through the powerful men who filled the room, Mr. Hartling first, and then an assortment of grim-faced men with slicked hair parted on the right side, wearing expensive suits, and looking like they had Ivy League educations. He laughed and chatted, shaking hands and strolling around. He belonged here, with powerful people who controlled conglomerates.

She belonged in a friggin’ doughnut hut selling coffee! She was way out of her league.

“Relax!” she heard next to her.

Marcus was airy and calm, not a worry in the world. Judy was beyond him, Ben beyond her. They were at a panel off to the side in the largest, most impressive conference room they had.

“How can you stay so calm?” Krista hissed. “That guy probably drives a car that costs more a month than my rent!”

“Oh honey, a guy like that doesn’t have a car payment.”

“Was that supposed to help?”

Marcus would not have laughed if he’d realized he had just made Krista’s hit list.

As the clients sat down, all easy and important, Krista found that her jacket was too tight. She couldn’t get enough air. There was so much riding on her material. What if she didn’t check it thoroughly enough? What if they missed something? What if she was the person who lost the client?

Across the room, Ray, whose eyes had been checking in with her all afternoon, zeroed in. He leaned into Sean, whispering something without so much as a twinge in facial expression. The next second had Sean’s eyes snapping to her, worry evident.

They knew she was freaking out. She was being the anchor in high winds that would sink the ship.

With a look of calm assurance, Sean crossed the room to Ben, who was at the end of their panel. “Have everything you need, Ben? We are about to go live.”

“Yes, Sean. Thank you.”

Sean’s eyes hit Judy. He got a nod. He sauntered down to Marcus, “All set, bro?”

“Using that term is so last year, Captain. I thought you were up on the latest?”

Sean smiled, his eyes finally hitting Krista. He took another step, his back to the now-seated clients, blocking her from their view.

He looked down on her with soft, green eyes, “You okay, Geegee?”

“I’m scared shitless, Sean.”

“Honey, that smile looks like a grimace,” Marcus wasn’t helping.

“This is the big-time and I am a half-trained circus clown!” she hissed.

Sean smiled and the others snickered.

“I knew you could do this the first time I saw you give a presentation, Krista,” Sean said in a low, deep voice. The clients might know he was talking, but not what he was saying. “This is in you. It doesn’t matter who is on the receiving end. You wow even the unbeliever when you only half-know what you are talking about. And as John said, you know more about this topic than probably anybody in this room. You managed to impress Mr. Hartling with only a fraction of what you know now. You are ready for this. I believe in you. I have always believed in you.”

Krista nodded with each point he said. She willed herself to believe it.

“If you get scared, or tongue tied, look to me and I’ll help you, okay? I won’t let you go down in flames. If you need me, all you have to do is look at me and I’ll know.”

“But what if I just look at you because you’re listening and I want to talk to a friendly face?”

“I’ll know, Krista. I can read you better than you can read yourself. I’ll know, and I will help, okay? You are not alone.”

“Okay,” she whispered.

He looked at her a second longer, putting all his love and support on his face for her to see. After a pause, he said again, “I’ll know.”

It did help. She felt better. Before he left, he said, “Remember, I am nothing but an actor who lost his way.” He smiled his secret smile and turned.