“As a matter of fact, I haven’t,” Ivan answered. “But we got one of our biggest website stars ready to fly back home from New York soon.” He had no idea what day or week Jacari planned to return home. However, if he could offer her a private jet plane ride, he seriously doubted that she would turn the opportunity down.

Vance said, “Is that right? And you want me to be a private taxi for him, is that it? Well, how much are you offering to pay for his seat?”

Despite his first reservations about U.S. military connections, Ivan liked the straight shooting from those guys. There wasn’t much beating around the bush with the military types. They said exactly what they wanted to say.

Ivan responded, “Well, if you have room coming back in the jet for two, I’d like to meet her over there in New York and bring her back with us.”

What the hell, just go for broke, he figured.

Vance said, “So it’s a she? And now you wanna make a hot date out of it in New York. Is that it, Ivan?” he insinuated.

Ivan was rarely shy about asking. He chuckled at his nerve and said, “I figured I had to at least ask you, since you’re headed that way and back. You are coming back after a few days, right?” he questioned to make sure.

“In exactly a few days,” Vance answered. “But I’ll tell you what…” And he paused. “Okay. I’ll make a deal with you. You’re a networking kind of guy. That’s your business. And what better way for me to gauge what you’re gonna be worth than to see how you perform in New York’s Big Apple crowd?”

He went on, “Now, they’re definitely a different crowd over there. So you may want to get a pair of your best suits and ties out, preferably dark suits. And let’s say you bring your date to my network event at the Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan on Thursday evening. You do that and I’ll fly you guys back with me.”

Ivan said, “That’s a go. I’d like to feel out the New York crowd for myself.”

“Good. Then you’re gonna need a room there. I’ll set it all up for you.”

Just like that, Ivan was on his way to New York for a network party with a nine-figure man, and to meet up with an international model whose father wanted to meet him.

He sat back behind his desk and couldn’t believe his luck. Then he shook it off.

He told himself, “It wasn’t luck. It must have all been in the cards.” He didn’t even feel like making more phone calls after that one. Everything else would seem anticlimactic.

Nevertheless, he received a phone page in his office from his secretary.

“Ivan,” he answered.