Page 79 of Totally Played
Calvin is back on tour, and I’m shopping for cat trees in one of the biggest pet shops I’ve ever been to in my life.
CALVIN: Why not just order something online?
His messages were followed by three links to different options online.
ASHLEY: They have those ones here, they aren’t big enough, and they look like they would fall over. I want something more solid for when he grows. Where did Tim and Lion get the enclosure thing?
I don’t have a huge rooftop, but maybe I could get something that fits a window.
CALVIN: They built it. The shelves in the apartment, too. Lion and his friends are really handy.
ASHLEY: Well, I don’t even own a hammer.
CALVIN: Yeah, you do. *** Winky face ***
I laugh out loud in the store and catch a few stares.
ASHLEY: Not helpful. I might have to get a person in to build me something custom, too. Can’t have the little guy trading down.
CALVIN: He’s going home with his favorite person in the world, fairly sure he’s not trading down.
When I told Lion I’d adopt the little gray kitten, I swear he squealed, “Yes!” like he’d just won the lottery. Apparently, the little guy hid from every other person who came to see the kittens. I hope he doesn’t hide from me now, too.
ASHLEY: I will ask Lion what he thinks will be good for my place when he drops him off. I have to get to work. Have an amazing game.
When I get to the office, everyone is in a frenzy.
“Did you hear who’s coming?” Jennifer asks the second she spots me.
“No, I just got here.”
“The owner of Futuresque.”
“Like the airline?”
“Yes.”
“What would they want with Red Tech?”
“That’s what Red’s preparing to find out now. Every department is on alert in case she wants a tour. Do you know the recent numbers on the tech? Oh, is that video done? The one you had made for the Millers?”
“Take a breath, Jennifer.”
“I can’t. Do you know what someone like her could do for this company?”
“Probably a lot, but with what strings attached. Red’s had offers in the past from super wealthy people, and they’ve almost always wanted controlling interest. He won’t give up this company, and he shouldn’t.”
“Well, we’ll know soon enough. The video?”
“Riggs should have the long and short version, just ask him.”
“Right. What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to check on our boss to make sure he’s not spiraling like the rest of you.” I laugh and head toward his office. Just as expected, he’s not like them at all. He’s lying back on his couch, reading something in a magazine.
“Nice to see you aren’t freaking out like the rest of them,” I say, and he lowers the magazine to his chest and smiles over at me.
“Did you know she started her first company all on her own?” he asks.
