Page 23 of The Anaconda Downstairs

“You’re sweet,” Simone said. “Do you think... do you think he’d be interested in grabbing coffee for real sometime? Just the two of us?”

The knot turned into a sailor’s hitch, or a granny knot, or really just a mass of entanglement. “I... I’m sure. He’s pretty busy during the football season, you know? So he doesn’t have a ton of free time. Like one day every week.”

I was rambling. Why was I rambling?

“I can try to set something up again, if you want. Maybe you could come to a game?”

“Would you? That’d be amazing.” Simone’s excitement was palpable. “Okay, gotta run. Tell Kelsey congrats again on all Grampys nominations. I can’t wait to see you all at the ceremony. I still can hardly believe we got a nomination too.”

We chatted for a few more minutes before saying goodbye. As I hung up, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d somehow made a huge mistake. But that was crazy, right? This was what I wanted. To help Everett find love. To stop these confusing feelings I was having. To focus on finding my own date for the Grampys.

My phone buzzed with a text from Kelsey. Time to switch gears and focus on work.

An hour later, Kelsey and I were virtually knee deep in discarded ideas for the album cover. My tablet was almost ready to overheat from all the notes as we discussed trying to figure out the upcoming photoshoot.

“I want something edgy, but glamorous,” Kelsey mused, flipping through a mood board I sent to her phone. “If I’m going to announce the album drop at the Grampys, it’s got to scream power and strength. You know?”

“The teasers with the snakes we posted the other day went mega viral. What if we did something with a real snake?”

Kelsey’s eyes lit up. “Yes. A big one. Draped around my shoulders. It’ll be perfect for the title track.”

I nodded, already mentally scrolling through my contacts for animal wranglers. The only people I had on speed dial were dog sitters, trainers, and groomers for Wiener the Pooh. “Okay, a big live snake. I can make that happen. Any particular type you’re thinking of?”

“Something impressive. I don’t actually have any knowledge about real snakes, besides the time Declan saved Pooh from the rattlesnake.”

Pooh gave a soft bark and wagged her tail. She was the one responsible for the way Declan and Kelsey met after all.

“Maybe a python? Or a boa constrictor?” Kelsey grinned. “I don’t know. I trust you to find the perfect one. Because you’re the best assistant in the whole wide world.”

This was what I was good at. Solving problems, making the impossible happen. Unless of course that included finding myself a date. Or even talking to anyone whose last name wasn’t Kingman.

“Thanks, Kels. I’ll start researching reptile handlers right away. I’ll need to check on permits, safety protocols. I’m sure there are all kinds of boxes to be checked when working with live animals.”

As I rattled off the list of things we’d need to consider, a small part of my brain wandered to the way Everett had tried to rescue me from the snakes that day. The thought made me giggle, earning a curious look from Kelsey.

“Something funny about snake safety?” she asked, arching an eyebrow. But that wasn’t really the question she was asking. I’d successfully avoided other inquiries about why I’d been texting with Everett. But she knew something was going on with me.

I’d tell her all about it after I found my date for the red carpet. I shook my head, still smiling but composing myself. “No, sorry. Just... thinking about how the Besties are going to freak out when they see the photos. It’s going to be quite a shoot.”

Kelsey nodded, a mischievous glint in her eye. “That it is. Now, let’s talk wardrobe. I’m thinking leather and...”

As we dove into the details of the photoshoot, I pushed thoughts of Everett, Simone, and my own dating foibles to the back of my mind. I had a job to do, and I was damn good at it. The rest... well, I’d figure that out later. Hopefully before I had to face Everett for our next lesson.

A lesson on body language. Alone. At his place.

I groaned internally. What had I gotten myself into?

After our meeting, I went to grab us a quick lunch at the deli in the neighborhood, just a couple of doors down from Cool Beans. I certainly couldn’t show my face in there for a few days. As I pushed open the door, the smell of freshly baked bread and aromatic spices enveloped me. My stomach growled in anticipation.

“Penelope? Hey.”

I froze, recognizing the voice immediately. Slowly, I turned to see Javi, the barista from Cool Beans, grinning at me from behind the deli counter. He was wearing the deli’s uniform instead of his coffee shop attire, his curly mahogany-brown hair tucked under a cap.

“Javi? I didn’t know you worked here,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady as I approached the counter.

He shrugged, his smile widening. “Just started last week. Gotta pay those college bills somehow, right? What can I get for you today?”

As I scanned the menu, my mind raced. This was a perfect opportunity to practice what Everett had been teaching me. Casual flirting, right? I could do this. And it’s not like Javi was going to want to jump my bones right here on top of the deli counter.

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