Page 19 of Head Over Feels
Calnodded. “I’veseen it.”
Takinga deep breath,Isaid, “Iwent into the lobby and there were only two people at the counter.Theguy looked kind of familiar, butIcouldn’t place him soIstarted my pitch.”Ichuckled hollowly. “Hewas actually interested in my services.Heasked for my brochures, andIwas handing them over when another guy walked in.”Iput my plate down to cover my face. “Oh, my god, it couldn’t have been worse.”
Calrubbed my shoulder. “I’msure it wasn’t so bad.Whowas he?”
Stillhiding behind my hands,Isaid, “Remembermy date with thatJaimejerk?Andhow his boyfriend showed up?Theguy atBark&Purrtoday was the boyfriend.Well, hopefully he’s the ex-boyfriend these days.”Ishuddered thinking about this morning’s encounter. “Ichecked him out on the pet resort’s website.Hisname isGregoryShaw.Andhe knows my name now too, since of courseIdid drop my brochures everywhere beforeInoped out of there.”
Calwinced, andStevesaid, “Uhoh.”
“What?”
“Sorry, but...”Hegestured at the stack of boxes in the corner. “IhopeGregoryShawdoesn’t like to send glitter bombs.”Hesmirked, soIthrew my napkin at him.
Callaughed too.IshovedCalwith my free hand and said, “Stop.Thatwasnotfunny.”Ismiled though.GregoryShawwasn’t as scary whenIhad my friends with me.
SteveandCaltried to distract me through the rest of the meal by making me help them brainstorm ideas for the app they wanted to design together.Calwas a freelance software developer, andStevehad a business degree with a minor inComputerScience.Theywanted to start their own company but hadn’t figured out theirBigIdeayet.
Eventuallythe conversation came back around to me.Aftera couple of beers,Ilaid out my biggest worry. “WhatifGregoryShawbad-mouths me around town?”
TheBark&PurrPetResorthad been open for over a decade, andGregoryShaw’sopinion would hold a lot of weight with the vets and other pet resorts in the area.Histelling everyone not to use my services could prevent me from getting any referrals in the future.Imean, sure,Cole,JasonandWillwere paying me to work with a few of the animals on the ranch once a week.AndDocPinkertonwould send clients my way no matter whatGregoryShawsaid.Butthat wasn’t enough to keep me afloat.
Ididnotwant to have to go back to the call center.
“Felix.Yourdate withJaimewas months ago.”Fuck,IknewIwas being too whiny whenStevehad to use his adult voice. “IfGregoryShawwas that much of a vindictive wrinkled walnut, wouldn’t he have tracked you down already?”
“Maybe.”Okay, probably. “Fine,”Imumbled.Calchuckled and bumped shoulders with me.
Stevedidn’t put his hands on his hips, butIcould tell he wanted to. “Tomorrowyou’re going to get out your list of the pet resorts and vet clinics you haven’t been to yet, and you’re going to hold your head up high and drop off your brochures.Right?”
Imumbled, “Right.”
“Goodboy.”AtleastStevedidn’t pat me on the head.
Irolled my eyes and made awoofnoise at him.Fortunatelymy phone rang, saving me from more torture via advice fromSteve.
Unknownnumber.Alittle thrill ran through me—nowadays it might mean a client.Ora telemarketer.Butat least a client was a possibility now.
“Hello, this isFelix.”Iused my bestprofessional who absolutely did not have anything to drink with dinnervoice.
“Uh, hey,Felix.Myname isMalcolmFaulk.”Isat up.Well, hello,Daddy.Thatwas some gravelly sexy voice he had.
“Hi,Malcolm, how canIhelp you?”
CalandSteveboth gave me thumbs ups then started to clean up the food containers from dinner.
“Gregover at theBark&PurrPetResortgave me your brochure.”Ialmost fell out of my seat.Greg?GregoryShaw?He’dgiven this guy my brochure?
“Hedid?”Ididn’t thinkIsounded too incredulous.
“Yes, he did.Ihave a 14-year old cat.She’sstarting to get stiff and have trouble moving around after she lays down for a long time.Gregthought she’d benefit from some massage therapy so he suggestedIcall you.”
Whatthe heck?Washe serious?GregoryShawnot only wasn’t bad-mouthing me, but he’d referred a client?Sohe didn’t hate me?
Orthis could be some sort of revenge setup.
Ineeded to respond.DidIwant to risk it?Hell, at the very least it would tell me whereGreg’shead was at.
“Oh, uh, sure.I’mhappy to set up a time to come see her.Dependingon how the first session goes,Igenerally recommend three sessions the first week and one to two sessions a week going forward.Whenwould be a good time for you?”
