Page 89 of Just for the Plot

She smiles softly. “So, do you think we should hang some things?”

“Yes, because I want dessert, but we’re not allowed to have any until we’ve done some damage.”

She clasps her hands together and says, “Then let’s get to work.”

“Graydon, if you could put your hand on OC, that would be great.”

“I’m good.” Graydon stuffs his hands in his pockets, clearly not into this whole publicity shoot for the zoo. I think it’s the third one we’ve done, and I can’t imagine why we have to keep doing it. Maybe because Graydon wouldn’t know a smile if it saved his fucking life.

“Graydon, just touch him so we can get this over with,” I say, my back starting to cramp up from twisting in a weird way as I sit on this godforsaken golf cart.

“Listen to the young one,” OC says and then whispers, “Touch me.”

“Making it worse,” I say.

“Get the fuck away from my face,” Graydon says as the photographer lowers the camera.

“Gentlemen, please.”

“Switch it up. I’m not touching him.”

The photographer presses her fingers into her forehead as Gretchen walks up, clearly not happy with any of us.

Then again, none of us came here in a good mood.

Graydon is in a bad mood because something happened with Maple, quite sure they broke up.

OC is still suffering from—in his words—a major heartbreak. The girl that he likes and planned on getting back together with is now engaged. Mind you, she lives in Vancouver and he lives here. Sure, it sucks, but dude, move the fuck on.

And I’m pissed because Cougar invited Bower out to another early morning date and she accepted. Gabby and Ryland arrive today and I was excited to see them, but this puts a damper on things, because three dates? Three fucking dates?

What does that mean?

Does she actually like him?

Every time I ask, she doesn’t really seem that excited about the prospect of dating him, and yet, she’s waking up at four forty-five to go on a date with him.

That has to mean something.

“You three are blowing this photo shoot,” Gretchen says, looking none too pleased.

“Why are we even doing this? We’ve done two already,” Graydon asks, ever the grump.

“Because we’re constantly adding images to the zoo socials and creating content around these photo shoots, hence why we did individual shots before this. Are you really that immature that you can’t suck it up for a few minutes and take a picture?”

“The fucking golf cart is too small for all of us,” Graydon says, gesturing to the cart. He’s right, it’s like clowns piling out of a clown car.

“It’s pretty tight,” I add, keeping my tone even. “Cramping up my back.”

“Yeah, same,” OC says, raising his hand.

Gretchen sighs and then says, “Fine, head back to the greenroom and we’ll figure something out.”

“I have to leave in about thirty minutes,” I say.

“Which means when we have a new setup ready to go, you three will be cooperative.” She shoos us with her hand. “Now go get some sugar in you so we can finish this up and I can go home and take a bath.”

“Are you going to use bath salts?” OC asks.