Page 9 of Mr. Perfect
“I’m aware.” The paper had joined forces with Channel Eleven in the past to do segments on weddings, gardening, and barbecuing.Savannah Morning Newssaw an increase in subscriptions as a result, so it made sense that they’d continue to look for new ways to promote both outlets.Fuck me.Felix knew where this was going. Minerva wouldn’t call him into her office to get his opinion on articles and promotional pieces that didn’t involve him. Suddenly, Jude’s urgency to chat made sense. “What kind of projects did you have in mind?”
“Well, that will be up to you and Jude Arrow to decide. You’re familiar with The Straight Shooter, right?”
“I’ve heard of him,” Felix said casually.
Minerva’s right brow arched upward. Maybe some of his hostility had seeped into his tone. “We thought it would be best if our two ace reporters met soon to discuss possible segments.”
“You’re leaving it up to us to decide?” Felix asked.
“Obviously, Jed and I will have final approval before anything is recorded, written, aired, or published. We just thought the two of you should meet and brainstorm ideas a bit.”
He wanted to say hell no, but he wouldn’t refuse Minerva. She’d stuck her neck out for him too many times to count, and if this is what she wanted, he would find a way to make it work. “When?”
“They’re expecting you tomorrow at noon.”
High noon. How fitting.
“I’ll be there,” Felix said with a firm nod.
Minerva smiled happily. “I can’t wait to see what you come up with.”
Felix stood up and returned her smile. “I’m sure it will be great.”If it’s like college, I’ll come up with all the ideas while that glory hog takes all the credit.Felix tilted his head toward the door. “I need to give Neal Jade a call. He’s asked me to become a Rotarian and head up a steering committee to bring diversity to their club.”
Minerva nodded. “He asked you, a white man, to do this? Not a woman or a person of color?”
Felix chuckled. He’d been so flattered by Neal’s suggestion and distracted by his eagerness to speak with Cameron Spencer to absorb the irony in the invitation. “Thanks for pointing it out, Minerva.” She winked. “You know who’d do an excellent job?” Felix asked.
“Shut your face and get out.”
Felix laughed all the way back to his office. The conversation with Neal was brief, and the man was grateful Felix had pointed out the folly in his suggestion. “I’m part of the problem.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself, Neal. Someone had to point it out to me also.” Maybe Felix wasn’t aswokeas he thought. “We do better when we know better,” Felix said. “Thanks again for letting me speak at your meeting today.”
“I’d love to have you back,” the Rotarian said.
“I’m just a phone call away.”
After they hung up, Felix scanned past articles he’d written during Crime Prevention Month. He wanted to show up prepared for his meeting with Jude the next day, and it was apparent that his nemesis had a head start on coming up with ideas. Felix wouldn’t trot out something he’d already done. Afterward, he got out a notebook and started making a list of various topics they could discuss from self-defense to the latest technology to prevent home burglaries. The list felt lame and lackluster, but it was a beginning.
Felix checked his watch and noted he had less than an hour before his appointment with The Auto King. He grabbed the Fusion’s service records file from his bottom drawer, logged off his computer, and headed out of his office. Several people wished him a happy birthday, which he appreciated even if he found it a little odd. No one had cared about birthdays until Jimmy showed up. Thinking about the rookie reporter reminded Felix of the birthday treats in the break room. He made a quick detour to snag another cupcake on his way out.
The heat and humidity punched him in the face as soon as he stepped outside. Jesus. Why did he live in the South when he hated the humidity so damn much? Because he hated the idea of cold winters, snow, and ice even more than the sultry Savannah summers. He devoured his cupcake before it melted and made a horrible mess on his dress shirt.
Felix arrived for his appointment fifteen minutes early. As soon as he climbed out of his Wagoneer, two salesmen started converging on him from opposite ends of the car lot—one on foot and the other on a golf cart. Felix began walking faster, and they sped up too.
“Good afternoon, sir,” the man on foot said as he got closer. He had to practically jog to keep up with the golf cart’s pace.
“It’s a great day to buy a new car,” the one driving the cart said.
If time weren’t an issue, he’d string the two eager beavers along and pit them against each other. He wasn’t in the mood, and it was just plain mean, so he held up his hand. “Not in the market, fellas. I’m just here to see Mr. Spencer.”
“Oh,” the man on foot said, sounding winded.
“Have a good day,” the golf cart driver said as he performed a U-turn.
A blast of frigid air washed over Felix when he stepped inside the showroom. He couldn’t help but stop and appreciate the reprieve from the stifling heat. The Auto King’s floor layout was like the other dealerships he’d visited when shopping for his new car. There was a smattering of desks placed strategically around the ample open space, so they didn’t detract attention away from the shiny vehicles on display. Felix had to admit it was an effective setup because his eyes were immediately drawn to a burgundy, luxury SUV he did not need but suddenly wanted.
To the left, a glass wall separated the finance department from the showroom. It allowed the bullshitters to keep an eye on the floor so they didn’t miss a potential sale. Nervous buyers got to see how hard the salesman and finance manager worked to secure their deal. Felix remembered sitting in the hot seat at the salesman’s desk and studying the faces of the men in the fishbowl for clues as they reviewed the application and made phone calls. Going into the process, Felix knew he had excellent credit, sufficient income, and a good down payment. There was no reason for any bank to turn him down, yet the bitterness he couldn’t always suppress had risen to the surface. He’d hoped for the best but braced himself for rejection. Felix’s fear had been for nothing, but he could remember it so vividly.