I gave Soph my brightest smile. “Yes. Sophie and Miguel Vasquez, this is Lexi Brewer.” I paused while they shook hands. “She’s the architect of a groundbreaking net-zero housing development that’s going up in the middle of Phoenix. Using tax-reverted lots, she’s designing small homes for middle- and low-income families that will eliminate energy costs as they are completely self-sustaining. Lexi’s project will change the residential building industry in Phoenix as we know it.”

They looked suitably impressed, so I continued, “As you can imagine, the news outlets are clamoring to interview her so we have a lot of materials to create, the development’s brand identity, including the logo, colors, fonts, and photo direction. And that’s just to start. We’ll also be designing the brochures, ads, social media graphics, website, landing pages, and email marketing templates.”

“Don’t forget the gala,” Lexi said.

“Gala?” Sophie asked. She bounced on her toes, just once, and I could tell her inner cheerleader loved where this was going.

“Yes, there is also a fundraising gala happening, to get the community actively invested in the development, which is to be held at the Phoenix Country Club and we’re designing the invitations for that, too.”

“Impressive,” Miguel said.

Lexi flushed with pleasure, and I felt a surge of satisfaction that I was going to be working with her on something that actually mattered. It was thrilling.

“So this is a done deal?” Carson asked Lexi. “You’re not looking at any other design studios?”

“No, Annabelle came out to the construction site yesterday and sold me on working with Vasquez Squared,” Lexi said. “I had some free time this morning, so we decided to nail down the details.”

I could have kissed her, which would have been weird since I was now sleeping with her brother but still. She had just rocketed to the top tier on my list of favorite people.

“Lexi and I are going to review the creative brief that I wrote up yesterday afternoon,” I said. “Trent is drawing up the working agreement, and we’ll review that as well when he’s done. If you want to sit in?”

“Absolutely,” Soph agreed.

“Unfortunately, I have a meeting with another client,” Miguel said. He looked conflicted.

“I’m happy to take your place,” Carson offered.

Miguel gave him a sharp look. While I was sure Carson had meant it in an ingratiating way, I didn’t think Miguel heard it that way. Soph and I exchanged a glance and I knew she’d caught Miguel’s expression, too.

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Miguel said. “As creative director, Annabelle’s got this.”