Can't Get Enough (Skyland, #3)(34)
She points to a young woman in the crowd, maybe in her late thirties, who wears a colorful headdress and flawless makeup.
“Take Hannah Carter, for example,” Hendrix says. “You may have met her tonight, or maybe you saw her in Forbes or on CNN or in Wired magazine. Hue, her cosmetic company utilizing groundbreaking technology for full-proof color matching, is approaching nine figures in revenue. She was part of our first round of funding, and like so many, has more than fulfilled the promise of greatness we recognized in her from the start.”
Hendrix’s eyes soften, and she shares a quick smile with Hannah before continuing.
“She downsized her car, crowdfunded the first six figures to launch her company, and at one point in her journey…” Hendrix says, pausing to make room for her next words, “… took out a second mortgage on her house. That’s not magic. It’s sacrifice. It’s grit. It’s the best kind of obstinacy that refuses to stay down when put down. And it embodies the spirit of the Aspire Fund.”
She nods to another woman seated near the front who sports an abundance of natural curls.
“Or Halle Jenson, who recognized that Black hair care is a three-billion-dollar market, with only three percent of it owned by Black women. Watch out for Coil, her new hair-care line that we are looking to scale.”
It’s so quiet, I hear the people beside me breathing. Hendrix holds us all rapt and eating out of her well-manicured hand.
“The definition of ‘aspire’ is to long for, aim, or seek ambitiously,” Hendrix says. “To be eagerly desirous, especially for something of great or high value. Too often, ambition becomes a dirty word when applied to women. Not here. We encourage the women of Aspire to long for, to aim, and to seek. We want to be an incubator for Black women’s highest ambitions and hopes and accomplishments.”
She spreads a smile around the room. “As you mingle and meet our founders, we hope you’ll consider joining us for the second round.”
The other two women, Nelly and Kashawn, rejoin her at the podium and they link arms.
“We’re so glad to have you here,” Nelly, the senior of the three women says. “Don’t let all this good food and booze go to waste.”
“Enjoy yourselves,” Kashawn adds. “We’re available to answer any questions. Thank you for coming.”
Needing a distraction from the hint of cleavage Hendrix’s dress revealed and the way her voice dipped the whole room in honey, I swiftly leave the ballroom and head for the veranda. As I make my way through the crowd, people grab drinks and heavy hors d’oeuvres from trays. Several of them recognize me, try to catch my eye, but I ignore them. I’m not here for whatever they have in mind. I slip through the balcony doors and take in a lungful of cool air after the stuffy room.
“We’re leaving soon, right?” Bolt asks, joining me on the balcony and surveying the illuminated Atlanta skyline.
“Yeah.” I rest my half-empty glass on the flat balcony railing.
“Tell me again why we’re here,” Bolt says, standing next to me and nursing the one alcoholic drink he’ll allow himself all night.
“Just doing some research.”
But between Bolt and the financial adviser who digs up every known fact about any prospective investment, I’ve gathered all I need to know about Aspire. This trip wasn’t necessary. I glance over my shoulder back into the ballroom, and a flash of bright pink catches my eye.
Inside, Hendrix stands at the center of a group of people. For a second, her gaze collides with mine and she doesn’t look away. Neither do I. It’s like a showdown, but after a few seconds, she slides her eyes away like she can’t be bothered to participate anymore.
“Research, huh?” Bolt huffs a breath, skepticism in the look he angles at me. “The fund or her?”
I meet my assistant’s eyes squarely. “What?”
“I’ve worked with you long enough to recognize disruptions in your pattern.” He gives an almost indiscernible tilt of his head in Hendrix’s direction. “She’s a disruption.”
“Fuck outta here. You’re reading too much into this.”
“We were meeting when she texted you.” He adjusts his ever-present bow tie, tonight one with red polka dots. “You were, dare I say, borderline giddy.”
“No, you don’t dare say if you want to keep your job,” I threaten with mock severity.
“And immediately after that text you mentioned coming to Atlanta soon.”
“Quite the detective, aren’t—”
“Two things seem to truly pique your interest lately,” Bolt goes on, ignoring the exasperated look I’m pinning him with. “Buying the Vipers and this small venture capital fund that wouldn’t typically register as a blip on your radar. Why are we here when there are a dozen opportunities that actually would merit your personal attention? What are you doing?”
I frown and swing him a querying glance. “What do you mean, what am I doing?”
“She’s producing a show with Zere.” In the light of the balcony lamps, Bolt manages to look simultaneously curious and knowing. “Do you not see that as a problem?”
I force myself not to look over my shoulder and find Hendrix again in that dazzling pink. “Business is business. Zere knows I’m looking to invest in Hendrix’s fund.”