Present

I stared at Patrick in disbelief. Words weren't forming, not in a way where I could put them with others and string them into anything resembling a sentence. An elevator pitch, as in what Cy told Pat to give me, was by definition a succinct, persuasive summary, a sales tactic to be used when time was of the essence.

I didn't want short. I needed more.

Standing, I wrapped my arms around myself and silently walked to the windows. The spectacular ...