Free Cravings: Alpha City 2 by Bryce Evans

and I want to do business with you, Johnny. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how well your product will turn out once we make it,” Zoey added.
    “I don’t have any doubts, beautiful,” Johnny responded as he guided her to a table he had reserved in the back of the restaurant near the windows.
    Before Kayden could do it, Johnny had already pulled out her chair, then seated himself next to her. Andrew took the other side before Kayden could sit down putting him directly across from him.
    ****
     
    As soon as the waitress took their drink order, Zoey reached in her bag and took out her paperwork. She had a checklist and started going down the list asking Johnny questions. Johnny was very professional as he answered her questions. He watched as she wrote down the answers. She asked follow-up questions knowing that London would need the answers to start the program.
    Not one time did she look over at Kayden while she asked Johnny questions. He was a businessman too and knew she needed to concentrate on the job and get this signed, sealed, and delivered.
    The quicker the better , he thought.
    “Johnny, give me a time period you will need this product?” Zoey asked.
    “Three months,” Johnny answered.
    “I think that we can do that, but we need a last resort date when you know you have to have it back before you launch,” Zoey requested.
    “Look, we all know I can’t launch or prepare until I get the example back from you. I have put out buzz cuts to the gaming crowd, and it is drawing a huge interest. If you can get this product back to me in three months, I will give you two percent of the royalties. Because it’s my reputation that’s on the line here, I think two percent is fair,” Johnny challenged.
    He had heard about Zoey’s ability to close a deal. Ryder bragged about her all the time. He would send her out and let her close the deal. She usually came back with a better deal than was previously discussed. She was that good.
    “Well Johnny, seeing as it is our company that is actually producing the chip, we want seven percent of the royalties and a ten million dollar bonus if the product reaches number one on the gaming charts.” Smiling up at him, she threw him off. Kayden could see the change in Johnny’s demeanor. He never even knew she was working him.
    “I know how this works too, Alpha, but I also know we are putting ourselves out there with our reputation if it fails. I think if it fails, more will look at our company when it comes to the blame game. We made the chip.” Zoey watched as a slow smile spread across Johnny’s lips.
    Kayden knew that Johnny would give her whatever she wanted.
    “So do we have a deal, Johnny?” Zoey asked. She never smiled waiting for Johnny’s answer. She knew how this worked. He wanted to test her to see if she would bend, and that wasn’t happening, even if he pulled out of the deal.
    “You drive a hard bargain, Zoey Malone,” Johnny answered.
    “When I play with the big boys, I usually wear my big girl panties.  I also like to take chances; today, I didn’t wear any at all, but I can play.” Zoey watched as Johnny and Kayden twisted in their seats. She was shocked that Kayden stayed as quiet as he had, but he did and she was happy about that at least. Now if Johnny would just sign the paperwork, she would be set.
    “Well Zoey Malone, I think you got yourself a deal,” Johnny finally answered. Zoey didn’t waste any time. She took the papers from the folder and gave him his copy.
    “Let your attorneys look this over, and then get it back to me signed before I leave, and you, Alpha, have a deal.” Zoey stuck her hand out and shook Johnny’s hand.
    Finally, it was done. If this product took off like she thought, it would put London’s and her company on the map. They would be making products just like the Landon Computer Company and well on their way at becoming a billion dollar company, faster than anticipated.
    She looked over at Kayden