Page 66 of Making the Call
As I pivot around my office, my mouth drops in astonishment. Holy shit! There are also posters on the wall, with me—the actual me—from the conference this weekend. There I am, on full display, lifting my shirt to show the comparison, as I hold Dani’s book next to my stomach, with a shit-eating grin on my face. Someone went to great lengths to pull off this prank. These fuckers are good.
Shaking my head, I walk to Harlow’s office. She must’ve seen or heard something. But to my surprise, she’s nowhere to be found. Glancing at my watch, I know she’s likely at lunch herself. Convenient. Very Convenient.
Not knowing what else to do, I return to my office and attempt to gather the things I need for the special teams meeting. Sitting at my desk, it’s creepy as fuck. I feel like I’m being watched by the replicas of myself propped around the room. What am I even going to do with this many of them? Who the hell wants this many life-sized cutouts of themselves with a Photoshopped body? I sure as hell don’t.
Whipping out my phone, I take a few photos of the displays, left untouched, and send them in a quick text to Dani.
Immediately, she responds.
Dani: Are you serious?
Me: WTF do I do with them???
Dani: Um… wanna be my new promo material? Lol
Laugh aloud, I do.What a shit. God, she knows how to make me laugh. Shaking my head, I contemplate my response. But before I can respond, another text arrives.
Dani: Sorry. Not Sorry – you’d make great promotional. Sexy as hell. Women would go wild. But please know, I’m totally joking.
Me: Oh, I’m laughing. I can’t concentrate with all these faces staring at myself. It’s really unnerving. Creepy as fuck, too.
Dani: I can’t imagine.
Me: Though if they were life-sized cutouts of you, I’d appreciate them more.
Dani: Oh please… you’re ridiculous.
No. Not at all, but I’ll let that slide. I type quickly tap out another question.
Me: Getting any words written?
Knowing Dani’s been back to my place for less than an hour, it’s highly doubtful, but she’s determined to finish this next book.
Dani: Not yet. I stopped to get my caffeine fix. About to get started. Shouldn’t you be working?
Me: I’m trying – but I’m staring at myself, and it’s distracting. Thank God, my meeting starts soon, and I won’t have to sit here much longer.
Dani: Can I have at least one cutout?
Me: Depends. Will you be focusing on my face or your cover model’s body?
Dani: You’re hysterical.
She doesn’t answer, yet I’m the one who’s hysterical. Great.
Dani: Of course, it’s for you… silly. Plus – it would be a great souvenir from the weekend. Though it’s not likely something I’ll soon forget.
I glance to my watch and tap out one last message.
Me: Got to run. Get your word count in, and I’ll text you when I’m on my way home.
Dani: Don’t forget to bring that home. I’m dying to see it in person.
A second later, one last text comes through.
Dani: Will it even fit in an Uber?
Me: Smartass.
Dani: Always – Get to work. I have words to write, mister.
Chuckling aloud, I stuff my phone into my pocket, grab my laptop, and make my way to my meeting. Relieved the worst is behind me regarding unsolicited attention. But you know what they say about those who assume things…
