“You will notice,” I began, taking charge of the conversation, “that the green tab houses pictures of various venues I’ve decorated. The second tab, the blue one, hosts some of those same pictures with the corresponding awards I’ve earned for the projects. The third tab, the yellow one, should be of keen interest to you. It shows the profit margins of the restaurants after an article was written about me in conjunction with the restaurant. Because we both know it’s not just about my accolades but about what I can do for you.” I smiled. I noticed Mac relax back in his chair, allowing me to finish. “The last tab is a list of ten references regarding my work.”

“I saw that. It is customary that a person generally sends three to five.”

“Yes. But in the final analysis, do you choose customary, or do you want someone who goes above and beyond?” This was always my practice. I anticipated the next questions.

Mac nodded. “But the recommendation from Julian Palmer seems to be sufficient. After all, his opinion goes a long way.”

“Yes. But you aren’t hiring Julian Palmer. You’re hiring me. I don’t rely on someone else’s name. Not when I have my own. I let my own work speak for me.”

“I also noticed you do not include Elliott Graemmer’s establishment.”

“I make it a practice never to include my husband’s restaurant. That wouldn’t be professional.” I was used to this Southern business of being charming, and I wanted it to stop. Mentioning a husband usually dampens those advances. I wanted his business. Nothing more.

“The Englishman, huh? That is late-breaking news. I know your brother and Griffin quite well,” he said. The mere mention of Griffin’s name jolted me ever so slightly. “Met them when I got ready to sell my establishments in Macon and Augusta—you may have heard of them—The Cotton Mill. My daddy made his money off cotton, and in a way, so did I.” He laughed. Who hadn’t heard of The Cotton Mill? He had made a killing when he sold his business to a couple of golfers who wanted vanity projects. “Anyway, I went up to Atlanta and met with your brother and Griffin. They both have pretty impressive business acumen. They even hooked me up with their attorney, Jake Fein, who was a shark. I’m surprised you didn’t go back to work with them.”