Page 24 of Hard Rock Heat

I turned back to my whiteboard, erased it clean, then wrote the wordssleep outin big block letters, already thinking through the logistics. I'd need an outdoor space large enough for a group of dozens. Possibly hundreds. I'd cap it at a couple hundred, max. I didn't want this getting too out ofhand.

A large field or stadium could work. A stadium would provide covering in case of bad weather. On the other hand, experiencing true homelessness was the point. Getting rained on would just add to the authenticity. But subjecting a bunch of fans to a rainy, water-logged sleep wasn't a good idea. Imagine if someone caughtpneumonia.

I stared sightlessly at the whiteboard, my mind already working through the million and one details that would need sorting out. I wanted to have a firm proposal in hand before I brought the idea toDamon.

"Um. Faith?" Katherine had returned, standing in my office doorway, face white and eyesround.

"You ran into some trouble with the research already?" Iasked.

"You have a visitor," she squeaked out before quickly shufflingaway.

I frowned, tapping my pen against my palm. I disliked unannouncedvisits.

When Damon came strolling into my office, smirk on his face, I understood Katherine's reaction. I struggled to keep my own face blank. That tight, black t-shirt showed off every muscle of his inkedarms.

"Were you flirting with my intern again?" was all Isaid.

"And what makes you think I would do that sort of thing?" heteased.

"Have you ever met a girl you haven't flirtedwith?"

He opened his mouth to speak, before closing it, a thoughtful look on his face. "Now that you mentionit…"

My heart gave a small flutter as those full lips spread into a grin. "Why are you here,Damon?"

"Just checking in on yourprogress."

"We have a meeting scheduled for nextweek."

"Remember our conversation about me being impatient? Besides," he continued, "I didn't want to go another week without seeing you in those sexy little skirts ofyours."

"Pencil skirts aren't sexy," I insisted. "They'reprofessional."

"Professional can still be sexy. Especially the way they hug that deliciousass."

"Shh!" My face flushed even as I gritted my teeth. I went to close the door, not wanting the entire office to hear Damon taking about my ass. "You're apig."

"I'm just appreciating your naturalassets."

"You can go appreciate someone else's assets elsewhere. Away from me and my place ofwork."

"I didn't come here to piss youoff."

"Good job onthat."

"I really do want to talk about our project. Like I said. I'm impatient. I can't wait to get started. This is really important tome."

My mouth twisted into a frown. Damon swung between asshole and earnest so quickly. It was hard to tell which one was the act. Maybe neither. Maybeboth.

"I did come up with a few ideas," I saidgrudgingly.

He rubbed his hands together. "Awesome. Let's hearit."

"Most aren't worth discussing. They sucked," I said honestly. "But there's one idea with merit." I pointed my pen at the whiteboard.

Damon tilted his head. "What's a sleepout?"

I outlined the concept briefly. His face went from confused to intrigued to delighted the longer Ispoke.