Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 104081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 520(@200wpm)___ 416(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 520(@200wpm)___ 416(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Reya and Camilla were the founders of Tampa Bae Babes. Both Cuban-American and born and raised in the area, it had started as nothing more than two best friends posting about the places they loved around the Bay. Reya had long brown hair, wide brown eyes, an athletic, petite body, and the kind of calm and inviting smile that could make you confess all your secrets. Camilla, on the other hand, was tall and slender like a model, with short hair angled at her chin, sharp facial features, and gray eyes that sparked with her goofy grin. Where Reya was calm and serene, Camilla was loud and enigmatic, the two of them together making the perfect storm.
Somewhere along the way, they’d become the number one source for locals and tourists, alike.
They went from only running an Instagram, to having real estate on every social channel imaginable, including TikToks that went viral without them trying, a YouTube channel with more views than any other Tampa-based outlet, and the podcast, which had crested half-a-million listeners at the end of last year.
Everyone knew the Babes. They weren’t just gorgeous, but funny and smart, too. They were like celebrities when they ventured out on the town, and one visit from them could catapult a local business overnight.
One area they were lacking in, however, was community wellness, which was a big reason why they’d pulled me on to work for them. Of course, they were also lacking in the sports arena, and according to their business strategy, that ranked higher.
“We have the opportunity of a lifetime for you,” Camilla said, clapping her hands like she was going to burst at the seams while she waited for Reya to tell me what this opportunity was.
“Your coverage of the Gibson Gala is our highest performing content of the week. The owners of all three teams have reached out to tell us how much they appreciated us being there,” Reya said. “They’ve had numerous sponsorship offers roll in, and they’re tickled pink.”
“That’s great,” I mused.
“And,” Camilla added with one finger pointed into the air. “The general manager of the Ospreys loved the attention we brought to their philanthropic efforts, particularly that delicious photograph of Vince Tanev and his handmade vase that raised ten-thousand dollars.”
I’d never fought so hard not to roll my eyes in my life.
“He loved it so much,” Reya continued. “That he asked if we had any ideas to drum up excitement now that the season is underway. We have four back-to-back home games in early November, and he wants to pack the stands.”
“We pitched an idea off the cuff,” Camilla said, and my head whipped between the two trying to keep up.
“Thinking no way would he go for it,” Reya added.
“But he did!”
Camilla and Reya bounced excitedly, and I just blinked before a little laugh puffed out of me. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my desk. “Go on, spit it out.”
“We have a Tampa Bae Babes exclusive, something never done before.” Camilla spread her hands over the space between us as if she was painting a picture. “One Month with Tampa’s Hotshot Rookie — Vince Cool.”
I hoped I kept my features schooled when those words tumbled out of my boss’s mouth, that I didn’t blink too much and she couldn’t hear how tight my throat was with my next smile.
“Okay…” I said carefully.
“It’s all-access,” Reya said. “Twenty-four-seven coverage. We’re going to set up dedicated profiles on our major-hitting platforms. Think daily Reels and TikToks, exclusive sit-down interviews and days in the life on YouTube, podcast specials, stories, tweet updates.”
Camilla cut in. “And you will be the main face of it all.”
“Me?” I squeaked.
She nodded enthusiastically. “They loved you at the gala. Unsurprisingly. I mean, you’re gorgeous, and smart, and the content you created was top notch.”
“They’ve agreed to give us a closer look than any local news outlet has had before,” Reya continued. “You’ll be at the games, home and away, in the locker room, at practices, at his home, out at the bars, all of it.” She waved her hands excitedly. “We’re going to have every resident of Tampa Bay foaming at the mouth.”
“Probably half the country, too, because that man is fine,” Camilla added, fanning herself with a smile.
“Are we sure this is the right move for us?” I asked, hoping I sounded like a smart partner offering a strategic question rather than the panicking mess I actually was on the inside.
“It’s a dream move,” Camilla answered easily. “This was our goal, to get a strong foothold in the sports arena. There’s a rabid female fanbase here in Tampa that is going to lose their minds.”
“It’ll also bring in a higher population of male viewers,” Reya added. “Which we need. Desperately.”
I knew I didn’t have a leg to stand on when it came to arguing with them. They were right. On paper, this was the opportunity of a lifetime.