Nadia closes the conference-room door and sets your proposal between two cups of untouched coffee. Red notes fill the margins in her unmistakable handwriting.

"The concept is strong. The schedule is fantasy. The budget assumes three people will donate their evenings because you are persuasive." Her brown eyes lift to yours. "I remember that model."

She turns to a clean page.

"This is a professional review. If you want the contract, show me the version of you that can finish what the charming version starts."