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Dave sighed. “That’s really shitty news. Tess snaked us, huh? I taught that girl too well.”
What to say to that? He didn’t want to admit he’d handed over the contract to Upstart by telling Miles about Tess’s designs. What stupid-ass CEO would do such a thing? Miles’s kind words about his intent and about how Frank would understand did little to buffer the sting of the call he’d just received. He’d known it was likely coming, but the finality of it sucker punched him in spite of it. “Yeah, she’s good. I wish she were still here doing work for us. I tried to talk her into coming back but it did little good. Her pride was pricked and I likely wasn’t the right person to persuade her.”
Dave’s laugh was bitter. “No kidding. But I’m impressed you went to her and asked her to come back. I like that about you. A little humbleness is welcome around here, you know?”
“All I got left is humbleness,” Graham said.
“Nah, we got plenty of business. I talked to some krewes out of Houma and Lake Charles today that want new marque floats, and we’re working hard to keep our regular customers happy. I won’t lie and say Oedipus wasn’t a loss, but we’ll be okay.” Dave stood and perused the schedule board Graham had mounted on the wall. “Might not be the best of times to ask, but we really need someone to help me. Honestly, the part of the job Tess did as liaison with the other directors and captains was never something I wanted to do. Tess was good with them, keeping them happy, making sure the vision fit actuality, so if you could shift that job requirement over to the new guy, I’ll keep the lion’s share of the design work. And my pay raise.”
Graham rubbed a hand over his face. “Anyone in house capable of doing the job?”
“Not really, but Billie sent an ad to some local websites, and Red Jack posted it on some NOLA message boards for artists. He’s into all that crap.”
Graham stood, offering his hand just as he’d done for the last few days. Having Dave on his team felt good. Billie, too. He’d finally gotten some decent coffee. “I’ll pull any resumes Billie has and set up some interviews at the beginning of next week.”
“Good man,” Dave said, taking his leave for the day.
Graham sank back into his chair and pulled out his cellphone. Tess still hadn’t called him back.
His work life might be in shambles, but, damn, Sunday night had been incredible. He’d called her earlier in the week and left a message. Then texted her right after the Oedipus meeting, hoping the magnanimous gesture of giving Miles the real skinny had lined the stars up in his favor.
But she hadn’t called or returned his text.
In her eyes, they were over.
He could see her point, being rivals and all, but after the tender way they’d parted, he’d hoped she relented and considered a tenuous relationship.
Damn it all, didn’t they deserve to see if what they had was the real thing? Bad blood or no, he knew she’d fit him like a latex glove—no room for anything else. Just skin on skin—the way he liked it between them.
He pressed the email icon and sighed. No email, either.
Frick.
He picked up the desktop phone and hit the red button that would page Billie.
“What’s up?” she said.
“We have any resumes for the art director gig?”
“Four.”
“Can you get them to me?”
Billie sighed. “Can a woodpecker peck wood? Check your inbox in thirty seconds. No, wait. Make that a minute or two.” She clicked off and Graham went through his other messages, waiting on the resumes.
Waiting on Tess.
AFTERLEAVINGHERparents’ house, Tess headed back into the city, phoning Gigi because she’d emailed her friend the contract terms Miles had sent Monique, hoping Gigi could do a quick look-see.
“What up, homey?” Gigi drawled into the receiver.
“I know you’re super busy, but I sent you an email—”
“Already got it, and I’m charging you the usual friend rate,” Gigi said, moving around some papers or something in the background.
“A night of binge drinking and then holding your hair back while you puke?”
“Exactly.” Gigi laughed and it sounded like little bells tinkling. Seriously, how did someone have a magical laugh like that? “So when do you want to go out and shoot Jagermeister?”
