Ivan said, “When they come off them shows they do. They get all the money they can get. And we may think we’re watching them for free, but the advertisers and networks have already paid for it.”

He continued, “Those shows had to be pitched and bought, just like I’m about to do. So I got a month to show my ass off now. And after we do this big birthday party, we’ll just keep doing bigger and better events to get this money you want. But you also need to invest in real estate with me,” he told her. “Because I’m definitely thinking about getting into the property development game. I got a feeling about that.”

Lucina told him, “You can’t do business off a feeling alone, Ivan. You have to know what you’re getting into.”

“You jumped into business with me off a feeling,” he reminded her. “And all I’ve done so far is help make you new money.”

Lucina hesitated. She said, “I was desperate. And desperate people make bad decisions all the time.”

Instead of feeling slighted by her sarcasm, Ivan flipped it with a grin. He said, “Well, I’m the best desperate, bad decision you’ve ever made in your life.”

WHEN LUCINA HUNG UP with Ivan for the second time that evening, she couldn’t stop herself from smiling. Business only, Lucina, she had to remind herself. She had led herself into a fit over Ivan before and had to refocus her energies on business. Now she felt it happening again.

She nodded her head in her living room, pacing and thinking as usual. She mumbled, “Very interesting person. He continues to make me smile.”

And he’s smart, she told herself.

Then she decided to call her girl back.

“So, what did he say? Is he serious?” Maya asked her. She sounded really excited. That made Lucina smile more.

She answered, “Evidently he is. And he has all the ideas that you discussed. He wants to make this party really big. And he wants to send out a big message to San Diego.”

Maya said, “I knew it. Ivan has it in him. He’s the kind of man who wants it all.”

Lucina fell silent for a spell. Then she asked her girl, “So how close should I be with him?”

Maya toned down all of her excitement. She said, “Well, we’ve kind of been through this all before, only you were the one to tell me to slow down. So this time I’ll repay the favor.”

Maya warned, “I would see how Ivan treats other women before I get too close to him. You know what I mean? So far he seems to be more about business, but these guys do change.”

Lucina listened and agreed with Maya’s assessment.

“I know. I just needed someone else to confirm it.”