“What’s going on?” she demanded.
“I’ve decided to take David on as my personal assistant,” Melinda answered.
Adrienne looked at both of us.
“David, give us a moment,” Adrienne ordered.
I went over to Kendal.
“I think you’re about to earn every penny of your salary. If Adrienne comes over, you need to stand between us, no matter what.”
“What did you do?”
I heard bits of the conversation between the two models as it heated up, and then Melinda started laughing. Adrienne’s head whipped around and Kendal gave me a hard look. Adrienne made a beeline for me.
“Earn your money, woman!” I ordered Kendal.
She took one look at Adrienne, and then back at me. I guess Adrienne was scarier. Kendal stepped back to give her a clean shot at me. I instinctively covered my balls. Adrienne saw it and started laughing.
“Just know, Buster, you owe me a foot massage after we’re done today,” she said, and then walked away.
Rafael was ready for us. He had changed the backdrop while we had our fun. It was back to work.
I HAD TAKEN MY SHOWER and was seated at a round table with Adrienne and Kendal. Adrienne was collecting her foot massage when Melinda came out. She rearranged Adrienne’s feet and sat on my lap.
“If you were ten years older ...” she started.
“Get in line, woman,” Adrienne said to her friend.
“I can play older,” I offered.
I guess ‘the look’ wasn’t solely the preserve of teenage girls.
“If you can arrange it, I’d love to work with this one again. I can tell you’ve been training him by how he moves. I think we looked good together. Plus, he isn’t a wet blanket. I had fun today,” Melinda said.
She then gave me a quick kiss, which I wasn’t expecting. I guess it showed on my face because the women all smiled at me. She left us to wrap everything up. Adrienne pointed at her feet and I got back to work.
“Melinda’s been shopping around for a new agency. I think we have a shot at signing her, after today,” she shared.
“If you need help with a list of models, you should let me know. There are a few more I wouldn’t mind working with.”
“I can see his list now: Hannah Minacci, Hannah Minacci, and Hannah Minacci,” Kendal said.
“Hey, you work for me, I think,” I said.
Rafael popped in.
“David, always a pleasure. Adrienne, just say the word, and I’d love to work with you. Kendal, keep an eye on our boy. Good work today. The clients love what they see.”
I still had no idea who the client was, but I really didn’t care. We wrapped things up, and on the way out Kendal got her keys back. We walked out and saw that Kendal’s car looked brand new. We looked at each other and grinned.
“I get to drive next time,” I told her, with visions of them detailing my Jeep for me.
We got in and found it even smelled like a new car.
“Are you sure this is your car?” I asked.
Kendal was in such a good mood she let me take her out to dinner. I complained it should be the other way around, but I was mistaken. The client had to take the agent out to dinner, let the agent order, and eat while the agent drinks a bottle of wine by herself. Finally, the client had to drive the agent home.
I SENT A TEXT TO ANGIE to let her know I needed a ride. She showed up with a cranky Nate in the car seat.
“What’s his deal?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Sometimes a car ride will settle him down.”
We drove around until he fell asleep and then she took me home. I enjoyed spending time with her and catching up. Greg was a lucky guy.
Monday May 25
I FOUND MYSELF AT THE Andersons’, helping fill the pool. It really wasn’t very hard. You pulled back the pool cover, swept out the pool of any leaves that had snuck in during the winter, and then you hooked up the hose and turned on the water. Next you set up all the deck chairs and made sure they were clean. You used one of the deck chairs to catch some rays as you waited for the pool to fill. I was surprised when they allowed me to do it all by myself.
Tami came over and decided to help with the ‘catching rays’ portion of the job. I was happy when Beth, Cindy and Suzanne showed up. I was equally happy, but a little confused, when Pam arrived. I was soon left alone as Pam got to know my friends. She’d never met them before, and I was a little worried they were interrogating her.
Mrs. A came out to join me.
“She’s cute.”
“Are they playing nice in there?”
“I think Tami was telling her about your unfortunate perm in middle school. She has pictures.”
I couldn’t tell if she was teasing me or not.
“I guess it had to come out sometime. Did she look like she was edging towards the door, or do you think I’m okay?”
“You’re more than okay. She’s doing fine in there. They can’t scare her off,” Mrs. A assured me.
“You and the mister happy the rugrat’s home?”
“I think we’re okay with it. You plan on making an honest woman out of her?”
“I would if I could, but my mom might have something to say about it. She has this weird idea about me getting a college education before I wed your lovely daughter.”
“Just like a man, stringing us women along.”
“You know I love her, right?”
“I do, I just worry about her,” Mrs. A said.
“You wouldn’t be a good mother if you didn’t. Beth’s a special girl. She’ll be just fine, even if she dumps me for some loser college boy.”
“God, I hope that never happens.”
“Me neither, but we need to prepare for the worst. Some fast-talker will dazzle her with bullshit and our little girl will fall to his worldly ways. We can only hope we raised her right.”
She looked at me and smiled.
“I miss you. You have to promise to hang out this summer.”
“Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.”
Mrs. A reached over and took my hand. For some reason, she needed some human contact. I considered her my second mom and gladly offered her some comfort. It wasn’t long before I heard Beth.
“Mother, are you trying to steal our man?”
“Too late! She stole my heart years ago. We just need to tell your dad so the whole family’s in on our little secret.”
“Pam, you need to keep this one away from your mother. He holds the same sway over mine,” Tami warned her.
“My mom did say he was cute. I think I need to worry more about my sister trying to steal him away,” Pam said.
“No need to worry, ladies. There’s enough of me to go around,” I said in my defense.
I was shocked when they all helped throw me into the pool. Holy cow, that water was cold! They were smart, though. They all ran into the house and locked the back door. There would be payback at some point.
I FINALLY HAD THE POOL filled enough to turn on the pump. I put the hose into the hot tub to fill it.
The girls sent out Pam as their sacrificial lamb.
“Please don’t toss me in the pool,” Pam said.
“I could be convinced,” I assured her.
She came up and gave me a kiss.
“Now we’re talking. Were they rough on you?” I asked.
“No, I see why you like them. They’re all very pretty.”
“So are you.”
“Thanks. Can I ask you a question, since you like me?”
She hadn’t let that one go.
“Why am I suddenly nervous?” I asked.
“Because you’re a ‘stupid boy,’ and when a girl wants to talk to you, you assume the worst.”
“I see they told you my nickname.”
“They hope you’ll outgrow it someday.”
“I was hoping I never have to grow up.”
“It would be a shame, but back to my question. What’s up with you and Tami?”