Page 16 of That Conflicted Feeling

Henods. “Right, yeah.”

“Anyway, thereIwas, thinking you’d ask how the meeting went.”

“Iassumed it was a success, like they usually are.Thechats with women, usually not so much.”

“Youcomplained the other day about the number of them you drive home at 3 a.m.Thatmust represent some degree of success.”

“Hmm, well.”Heraises his eyebrows. “Likeyou said, you didn’t talk to them as much asIdid.”

Timeto move on fromGeorge’sassessment of my choice in female company.

“Well, this meeting with the council wasn’t a roaring success either.Theysay they want to give the store the go-ahead.Butafter the flurry of complaints they’ve had, they’re worried about not being re-elected if they do.Sothe spineless fools are going to put it out to public consultation before they consider approving the plans.”

Georgestarts the engine and puts the car in gear.

“Oh, and we’re not heading back to the city,”Itell him. “Atleast,I’mnot.Ineed you to drop me at aB&Bthat’s apparently behind that pub over there.Thenyou can take the car and head back.”

“Youhave to stay?”

“Well, that bunch of charmless council bastards doesn’t have a hope of winning over public opinion, soI’mgoing to have to stay here a few days and do it myself.”

Georgepulls away from the curb asIcallCharlotte.

“I’mnot in the mood for cheering another success,” she says against a background of clattering sounds.

“What’sthat noise?”

“I’mcooking dinner.Likenormal people do at eight o’clock on aWednesday.”

“Well,Ineed you to rearrange my schedule for at least the rest of this week.”

“Youknow no one else would drop what they’re doing in the middle of their evening to do that for you, right?”

“Maybe.ButIknow for sure you’ll jump at the chance to rearrange the colored sticky tabs all over whichever floral-covered planner you’re on right now.”

“Why?Whydoes everything need to be rescheduled?”

“Ihave to stay inWarmSpringsfor a few days.Ifany meeting you’ve already got me down for is critical, make it a video call andI’llfit it in.Otherwise,Ineed you to book me a bunch of stuff up here—interviews with the local paper, radio station, community websites, and whatever else might constitute a media blitz in these parts.”

“Why?”

“Ineed to win over the locals.”

“Oh,Godhelp them all.”Sometimesher sarcasm rivals mine.

“Myidea to expandYellowBarninto growing communities depends on it.”

“Ah, well, if it’s about showing their lazy ass execs that you’re right and they’re wrong,I’mall in.Notto mention you’d be unbearable if your first idea for a new acquisition fell at the first hurdle.There’llbe a new schedule waiting for you when you wake up.”

“Great.Andget the spare keys to my place fromElliotand go grab some clothes for me.Somejeans and, well, anythingI’vegot that makes me look less corporate and more down with the locals.”

“Well, that’s definitely the toughest assignment of the day.”

“Hey.Ihave casual clothes.”

“Yeah, gym gear.I’llsend a package in the morning.OnceIknow where you’re staying.”

“Thanks.”Ihang up.