Page 36 of The Surrogate Mother
“Could I just email it to you?”
She sighs again. “I suppose that’s fine.”
I look at my watch again—five-thirty. It takes me twenty minutes to get home by taxi if traffic isn’t too bad. I should be okay. Well, unless traffic is killer. But even so, Sam will entertain Monica until I get home.
Denise stands in front of my desk, her phone held up to her face. She taps on the screen, obviously opening up my email. I hold my breath, watching her face.
“Okay?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “This is really what you’re going to present at the meeting tomorrow to Cuddles?”
“Um…” Admittedly, it’s not entirely finished because I hadn’t realized the meeting was first thing tomorrow morning. But I didn’t think it wasthatbad. With a few finishing touches that I could come in early to do tomorrow morning…
“I thought we were going to emphasize the nutritional value of the baby food,” she says.
“I did.”
“I don’t see it.”
“It’s right here.” I read off the screen: “Cuddles baby food is made with only the healthiest and most wholesome of ingredients.”
“Yes, but that’s the only place.” She frowns at me. “I saidemphasize. Mentioning itonceis not emphasizing, Abigail.”
“So… I should mention it twice?”
“It should be everywhere!” Her cheeks turn pink. “The apple puree should be made from apples harvested from a pesticide-free orchard! The pea oatmeal should be created from peas picked from a natural pea ranch!”
A pea ranch? What the hell is a pea ranch?
“You need to fix this, Abigail.”
“I’ll fix it first thing tomorrow morning,” I promise. “I’ll come in at the crack of dawn.”
“Unacceptable.” She arches an eyebrow at me. “Tomorrow morning, the clock will be ticking. This needs to be fixed before you leave for the day.”
Great. If only I had known about this a few hours ago, it would have been fine. I can’t believe I forgot I had a meeting tomorrow morning. What’s happening to my brain?
“I’ll be in my office,” Denise says. “Please send me amore appropriate draft as soon as you’ve completed it, then we’ll discuss if further changes need to be made.”
I shoot daggers with my eyes at Denise, but they bounce harmlessly off her back as she exits my office. Fine. I can fix this draft in fifteen minutes, then I’ll grab a taxi home. I’ll be late, but not too late.
I shoot a text to Sam:
Denise making me fix something. Should be leaving within 15 minutes.
Sam replies almost instantly:
What????? She’s going to be here soon! Get your butt back home!
Poor Sam. I can almost picture him freaking out. I write back:
Really sorry. Start dinner without me. Should be back soon. I promise.
You better be.
And at the time, I really believe I will.
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