Page 53 of Royal Pain

“I’m serious. He not only had length but girth. It was too big. It scared the hell out of me! I didn’t even get it in all the way, so I had to give the poor guy a blow job.”

I laugh out loud, bending over and holding my stomach. That’s when I feel the back of my prom dress give way.

Turning around to Soraya, I show her what her blow job story produced.

“Come on friend, let’s go before we make these goofy dresses worse!” she says, leading the way.

* * *

Morgan International always looks like it’s about to be photographed for a spread. Graham is a man with taste. I’ve been here with Soraya several times, and each time I see another detail in his office I hadn’t seen before. Today it’s the exquisite pen on his desk. That shows his classic tastes. How many people still write with an expensive pen?

“So what are you two up to this afternoon?” he says, fingers entwined behind his head.

“Belinda and I had to go for a fitting for the bridesmaid dresses. After this we’re headed for the office.”

“Oh yeah, the wedding is next weekend, right?”

“Yes. Your wife and I have volunteered you for dance duty. Hope you don’t mind,” I say chuckling.

“Of course not. I can do double duty.”

He gets this grin that makes Soraya wiggle in her seat. And that wiggle makes him smile.

“I hear you’ve been communicating with Zan. I hope it will be a beneficial business relationship as well as a personal one.”

“He asks all the right questions, and that tells me a lot. Plus, we found out we’re both rabid Spanish soccer fans. It’s kind of an odd find since neither of us live anywhere near Spain.”

“I’m going to order a team hat on Amazon to take to him on my next visit. I’ll get you one too!”

“I want one!” Soraya says.

“I was sorry to hear his father passed away. Soraya and I sent flowers and condolences.”

“That was really lovely of you two,” I say, touching my heart.

“Belinda’s going back to Africa after the wedding.”

“This sounds like love. And I highly recommend it.”

Graham’s general attitude about being in love with my best friend is beautiful, meaningful, and encouraging. It’s what I see in Zan, and that’s a rare commodity.

Soraya and I both hit the biggest jackpot of all.

* * *

We postponed going into the office as long possible. But Carol wants to talk with me, and when the editor wants to have a conversation, you comply.

“Shut the door,” she says, looking up from her desk. “And sit down.”

With the door shut I move to take my seat.

“So you’re going back to Africa next month?”

News travels fast. “Yes. I’ll be able to do my assignments and maybe come up with a few more ideas for that piece on global nationalism.”

She raises her eyebrows at my comment. “I’m thinking about another story. You have an opportunity we shouldn’t ignore and we both know what it is.”

“Mozia.” No use pretending I don’t pick up her meaning. She’s right.