Page 19 of Finding My Charming

Slowly, he lowered his head. “I know you don’t want fashion advice from your dad, but guys like girls who are comfortable with themselves, not ones pretending to be someone they’re not.”

“Thanks, Dad. I promise to not become a whole new person.”

He eyed me skeptically but finally turned and walked out, mumbling, “Why couldn’t they have all stayed little?”

I chuckled at his whispered words. Poor Dad. Raising three girls was no easy feat. I appreciated that he was encouraging me to stay true to myself, and I planned to. I just wanted to allow myself more room to grow and evolve, and any girl knew that real change starts with clothes.

Chapter 9

monday was finally time for payback. Luckily, I had Sherrie plus the entire office backing me up. Apparently, they found the battle that was forging between me and my dad entertaining. I just hoped they would remain strong when it mattered most.

We sat at our desks pretending to be busy when Dad walked out of his office for lunch. He was on his phone, so he gave a slight nod on his way. The lack of interaction made it all the easier. No risk for either of us to burst into giggles or for someone else to slip up.

Sherrie jumped out of her seat and hurried to the windows. With a quick look, she turned and gave me a thumbs-up. “He just pulled away. He had a reservation with some clients across town, so we have time to set up and grab something to eat before we need to be in place.”

I gave her my most serious game face. “Let’s do this.” I pulled open the drawer under my computer and snatched the blow horn and tape.

We’d been planning this for the past few days, and his schedule was finally just right. I’d done intensive research to find the best office prank and had found one that met Sherrie’s criteria of not too messy, didn’t take too long to prepare, and would have the maximum reaction. Everyone in the office was in on the plan, and we asked the people with a view into his office to record what would surely be YouTube gold.

On our way to his office, I smiled at Frank, another attorney. “You’re on watch. If he comes back for any reason, try to distract him until we come out.”

He held up his right hand in salute. “Yes, ma’am.”

Sherrie was bouncing on her toes behind my dad’s chair. “This is going to be so good!”

“It will be as long as we set it up right.” I lowered to my knees and balanced the little bottle against the center pole and on one of the legs. Just the right amount of space was left for him to sit down and press the trigger. Pure genius.

I popped back up to my feet and stuck my head out in the hallway. “Are we still good, Frank?”

“Yeah!”

I grinned and went back to Sherrie. “Do you want to try it or should I?”

She shook her head and stepped back. “It’s all you!”

“This is a test!” Before anyone could respond, I jumped into the seat, and the shrill scream burst through the air. I hopped up and beamed. “It worked!”

Several people laughed and groaned.

One of the paralegals, Cindy, poked her head in, phone in hand. “It sure did! I snapped it from my desk, and it looks great!”

She held up her cell and showed me the angle of the shot she’d gotten.

“So good!”

Sherrie clapped and pushed us out. “Time for lunches, everyone! Try to be back before one o’clock to watch!”

A few people left and headed out the front door, but Frank, Cindy, and a couple of other stopped at the front desk.

“Do you guys want to get something?” Frank leaned against the counter and waited.

There were a few nods, but no one made any recommendations.

“How about I call in an order at Guru’s, and we can just go pick it up?” he suggested.

Everyone nodded, and Sherrie looked pointedly at me.

“Oh, fine.”