Page 3 of A Little Discovery

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Subject: Photography Abroad Program

Dear Mr. Wright,

Congratulations! You have been accepted to the cross-continental photography program. The continent you have been selected to visit for a month is Australia. Your lodgings and travel are included in the fees to be paid upon acceptance. You are responsible for your own food, supplies, and any fees or taxes associated with customs.

Please be advised that the active dates of the course start on July 18 and will conclude on August 18. Your travel arrangements will be scheduled within five days before and after the active course dates.

You must respond by Wednesday, so that we can book your air travel and lodgings for the duration of the course.

Please complete the attached form to register your acceptance and contact the registrar with the confirmation number of 583928 to submit payment.

Good luck!

Dr. Aaron Michaels

Professor of the Arts - Photography and Photojournalism

HOLY SHIT!

I got in!

I let out a yell of triumph, only to have four different guys come racing into the lounge where I am sitting on the couch. I set my laptop on the end table and open my arms for the dog pile. Subsequently, I get buried under the four men in a celebratory puppy pile. They all knew I was waiting on this kind of a break. Photography is my passion, so this is fucking huge for me.

Eric is the first to stand back up, adjusting the bralette camisole he’s wearing in place of a shirt today. Bending over at the waist, he moves his ass into position to tease me while he reads the email. I know he’s practicing for his drag show act later tonight, but he really does have an amazing set of assets back there. If only he was less of a brat, there could be something. But we’ve talked it out a few times over the years of our friendship. He needs a heavy-handed Dom, where I’m more of a cuddle and comfort Daddy Dom.

As the other guys adjust themselves onto the cuddle puddle we typically form in the parlor area, Eric flops into the recliner and says, “Have you called to find out if your scholarship will cover the cost?”

The smile falls from my face and I whip my head around to look at him. I know the trip is like seven thousand dollars, and I hadassumed that what I had leftover in my scholarship would cover it considering it is a school sponsored trip, but what if it isn’t? And food for a month… That’s at least a grand right there.

Glancing at the clock, I have about fifteen minutes until the registrar closes for the weekend. Throwing Toby off of my lap, I give him a small smile of apology before grabbing my phone. Hitting the seventeen million different numbers to get through the automated system to the registrar’s office, I pray they didn’t decide to start their weekend early…

“Registrar’s office,” a soft voice answers when I’m about to give up. “How can I help you?”

“I am doing the photography abroad program and need to know if my scholarship will cover the cost,” I say in a hurry. I don’t want to waste their time, but I need to know. I only have until Wednesday to claim my spot in the program.

“Student number?” they ask. “Each scholarship has stipulations attached, so I can’t make a blanket statement. Idoknow that the program will accept scholarship funds, but without looking at your file, I cannot say ifyourswill allow funds to pay for a program such as this.”

I give her my student ID number and wait while I hear the clacking of keys on a keyboard. Looking at the clock on our wall, I watch the seconds tick away. In my experience, the closer it gets to quitting time, the less expedient and efficient a person gets at work. At least, that’s what my father used to say.

“Mr. Wright?” the voice on the phone brings me back to the call before more of my memories can take over. “It appears the stipulations of your scholarship will only cover fifty percent of the cost of the program due to the fact that the program has you traveling internationally. Do you want me to apply the fundsand take the rest of the payment today?”

My heart drops as I realize I will have to figure out a way to come up with at least five grand for this program, most of it in under a week, or give up my spot.

“I don’t have the additional payment just yet,” I tell them to buy some time. “Can I have the weekend to rearrange some funds?”

“Of course, Mr. Wright,” the voice says. I can hear the sympathy in their tone, and it grates my nerves. “I will put you down to be contacted on Tuesday morning if we don’t hear from you before then. That way if you are unable to attend the program, Professor Michaels has the time to fill your spot with an alternate.”

I mumble some sort of appreciation before disconnecting the call. How in the fuck am I supposed to come up with five grand in under five days?

The email alert for my private investigations business lights up again.

Can I deal with the bitch for the sake of not missing this chance of a lifetime? Yes. Yes, I can.

CHAPTER 3

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