Page 37 of Mr. July

“A captive dolphin at a hotel resort in Barbados. She’s free thanks to your killer smile and abs.”

“Good for Kiki,” I grumbled, still pissed at the ambush. “You could’ve warned me, Char.”

“I did try calling you, but you never returned by voicemail.”

“Yeah,” I ran a hand through my hair. “I’ve been busy.”

“With lucrative contracts?”

“Not quite. I had my first rental.”

“I’m sure they loved it!”

“So much they trashed the place,” I snorted.

“What?”

“I was conned, by Ryan Hill. Instead of a weekend getaway for his pregnant girlfriend, Ryan who is a she by the way—threw a raging bachelorette.”

“A bachelorette. Sounds tame.”

“I found dick gummies everywhere. I’m traumatized.”

“Please. I’ve been to a lot of bachelorettes. It’s nothing but drunk girls and plastic dicks. Or gummy ones. Tame.”

“They spilled my favorite bottle of red on the white sofa.”

“Charge them.”

“I did. She filed a complaint against me. After I filed one against her. It’s a mess. The app froze all future rentals while they investigate.”

“So? Go to a different app or use the realtor.”

“Maybe. Maybe I’ll just take a break for a while and use it myself.”

“I took the week of the 4thoff…”

“Is that a hint? Hunter wants to relive our glory days….”

“Might not be a bad idea. You’ve earned a summer off after climbing that corporate ladder.”

“If I don’t fall off. Diersky is trying to take me down.”

“Diersky? Please. He’s nothing but an empty suit.”

“Just warn me next time you sell bulk calendars to a local business. My new PA is already fielding calls from reporters.”

“My baby bro is famous.”

“Hardly. I just made partner. I don’t want Diersky to make me a joke.”

“Spin. You know how to do it. It was just a photoshoot for a charitable organization. Big deal.”

“I was selling sex appeal and you know it.”

“I’ll save you a spot in next year’s calendar.”

“Don’t you dare, Char. It was a one-time thing.”

---