Page 46 of Mending Fences
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Candace watched over Mandy’s shoulder. “You sure you can’t toss some smoke or smog into that?”
“I already explained that this type of refinery runs clean. There won’t be any smoke.” It had taken more time than she intended to get the refinery to completion. Part of her problem was a lack of stock photography, so she’d made most of the pipes from scratch. Consistent lighting still plagued her.
“It sure is hideous.”
Mandy grinned. “Anyone who sees this photo would think so. I added a few extra pipes. If you look carefully, the pipes spell outugly. I wanted to try that whole ’70s subliminal thing.”
“That’s it.” Candace bounced up and down, causing her periwinkle curls to dance. “We can use this for a poster!”
“I’m not sure about that.” Mandy bit her lip. “I think that would move it to the published category, and all my works are to be unpublished so they can go up for sale to benefit the college.”
“Can you come up with another idea? Or another version of the refinery?”
“I’m running out of time and ideas. I still can’t believe Daniel would sell the mansion for this.”Even if he does hate it.
“Have you talked to him? Colin must have sent ten texts asking you to. He is having a tough time not giving Daniel your number.”
Mandy didn’t mention the three calls that had gone to voicemail. The one voice message she started to leave was only half his name. “You saw those photos yesterday of him kissing Miss Moneybags after the verdict. He doesn’t need the girl next door.”I need to stay out of his life.
Candace huffed. “Remember? Not everything in the tabloids is true. If it were, Daniel would be out there with an $80k camera shooting it up with the best of them.”
“Let it go. On the bright side, I am pretty much yesterday’s news. Colin said there hasn’t been a threat to me in over twenty-four hours.”
“When did you talk to Colin? I have tried to reach him all evening to verify the story.”
Mandy double-checked the clock on her computer screen. “He texted before lunch. By the way, I told Colin to give Daniel my number. If Daniel is desperate to talk to me, he has a strange way of not calling.”
Candace tipped her head. “It has only been a few hours. Maybe he is busy.”
“Busy dating every socialite in Manhattan. Wednesday night was a date for a benefit, and he has probably left for tonight’s outing with the rich and spoiled.”
“Are you following those fangirl sites?”
“Not today.” Mandy hung her head. “He kisses them, too.”
“Let me see.” Candace scooted Mandy out of the way and pulled up the browser. “That is a side-hug cheek kiss. It doesn’t count at all!”
“If your lawyer friend gave you one of those, you would count it.”
“That is only because I don’t think he has ever even kissed before. He can barely touch my hand without blushing. And he has yet to ask about my hair. I went through three different wigs yesterday.”
Mandy laughed. “Totally normal to have your girlfriend go to the bathroom and come back with a new do. Is he your date tonight?”
“No, I told you Friday night is girls’ night. Just us and a few of our friends. Pizza, ice cream, and every Meg Ryan movie ever made.”
“Mr. Alexander isn’t going to like that. Too many people in the house and pizza delivery coming.”
Candace winked. “Not one bit.”
Daniel cringed as he opened the door. The designer had removed the hideous pink, orange, purple, and yellow furniture, including the flowery rug, and gone masculine. More like a hunting lodge. The taxidermy bear standing in the corner would give someone nightmares. Him.
He texted the designer.Do you have any rental furniture that is more neutral and somewhat comfortable?
I’ll see.
At this point Ikea would be an improvement.
