Meanwhile, Nir was caught up in an ongoing mixture of laughter and apologies. Soon, the two women were laughing too. They grew so loud that Mila came knocking on the door.

“Is everything okay in there?”

Only Nicole could gain enough control to weakly blurt a yes.

Finally, Nir breathed hard three times and spoke. “I am so very sorry, Alicia, both for laughing and for messing up with my words. That’s the other thing I get from my Israeli upbringing—I’m sometimes a little too blunt with what I say. I was just trying to tell you I love your art and would like to come alongside you, doing what I can to help you get it on many more walls.”

Alicia, too, was gaining control. “And I’m sorry I overreacted. Being raised a Texan means I tend to live with a chip on my shoulder. Let’s just erase the misunderstanding and begin with, ‘Okay, Mr. Tavor, will you please share with me your business proposal?’”

“Gladly, but let me first make clear that this isn’t just my proposal. You’ll get two for the price of one,” he said, nodding toward Nicole. “I’ll offer my financial investment and connections. Nicole will offer her… Um, I think I’m about to say the wrong thing again, but here goes. Nicole will offer her face.”

Nicole gave a nod of affirmation.

“You don’t need any help with your art. It’s spot-on. Unique. It fits a niche in the market. Where you need help is with marketing and capital. Marketing, because I don’t think you’re effectively communicating to your niche. Capital, because once the marketing kicks in, you’ll need to crank up your inventory.”

“What is the niche you believe I’m not reaching? People already know my art is good for wet and humid climates.”

“True, but that’s way too broad. That’s not a niche; it’s a full-on weather system. The niche you fill is yacht art. I know enough people who own the fanciest of boats, and they’re constantly having to replace fittings, furnishings, decorations—really, anything that can deteriorate. The water and salt get in, and within a couple of years everything is destroyed.”

“I get it. But so many of the yacht owners like to redecorate all the time anyway, and it’s not like many of them notice the cost.”