Page 39 of Just for the Plot

Graydon:What do you think?

Bennett:I’m going to take that as a yes.

Graydon:This really isn’t my thing, but I can ask Hutton to help. How much of a douche do you want him to be?

Bennett:If you looked up douchebag in the dictionary, it would be his face.

Graydon:I know exactly who that is.

Bennett:Who?

Graydon:Cougar Vajeen.

CHAPTER 8

BOWER

“The stairs must have acarpet runner,” Adalade says as she walks through the house, giving me a punch list of things to complete.

She moved in yesterday, and even though every box is gone, her curtains are hung, and her knickknacks are in place, there’s still a lengthy list of things she wants completed to feel at home.

“Do you have a specific color in mind you would like for the carpet?”

She waves her hand at me. “I trust your judgment. Just keep in line with the aesthetic of the house.”

Which means I’ll take a million pictures of the house and have a designer help me because I know nothing about carpet runners.

“And call the painter, because there are some missed spots along the baseboards.”

“Already have them coming in on Wednesday. I moved your meetings and booked you a spa day so you’re not here while they’re touching up.”

Adalade smiles. “Thank you.”

“Of course.”

She heads into the living room, where she takes a seat on the couch and crosses one leg over the other. “Since we’re heading into fall, I’d like you to find me some suede boots, brown, with no heel.”

I write down her request in my notes.

“How high would you like them to go?” Given that she’s older but stillfashionable, I know she’s not going to want them to go over her knees, but I figured I’d ask.

“Below the knee.”

I nod. “That’s what I thought you were going to say. Would you like me to look for a matching suede trench coat as well? I know we spoke about it this summer, wanting to add more trench coats into your wardrobe. Just unsure with the San Francisco weather if suede is the way we want to go.”

She slowly nods. “Yes, look for a trench in suede. Please have it match the boots. I’m not one to spend a lot of time outside, and if I do and it rains, I’ll have an umbrella.”

“Great. I’ll get right on that. Anything else?” I ask, looking down at my gigantic list of things I need to get done.

“I’d like some of those macarons everyone is talking about, preferably raspberry and pistachio.”

“I spoke to the bakery this morning, actually, and they have set a box to the side for me to pick up. I’ll have Mark deliver them.” Adalade smiles, clearly pleased with my ability to anticipate her needs. It’s moments like these that make me feel safe. She appreciates all that I do, which is why I know this job suits me.I’m good at this.My dreams to start my book truck feel less safe.

“Thank you.”

I close the top of my pen and ask, “So, are we good then?”

“I believe we are,” she says. “Thank you.”