Page 62 of Well Played

“It was an accident. I was walking by what’s usually an empty cubicle while arguing with someone on a call, and from the corner of my eye I mistook her for a wastepaper basket.”

“You thoughta humanwas a wastepaper basket?”

“She’s skinny and was just sitting there, not moving.”

I laughed. “I miss hearing your daily mishaps.”

“Well, you could remedy that pretty easily.Call more.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m sorry. I’ve just been…busy.”

“Does that mean The Palm Inn is almost ready for the grand opening?”

I looked around again. “It’s getting there. Two days ago, I quietly started an ad that directed people to our new website, and a few more nights have already been booked for late next month.”

“Good. I’m glad you’re ready, because I think we’re going to be able to sell you out.”

My brows furrowed. “How?”

“I got you a two-page spread inSouthern Livingmagazine.”

“Are you joking?”

“Nope. One of the guys who used to work for me works there as an editor now. We keep in touch, so when I came back from my visit to you, I emailed him a couple of photos I’d taken of The Palm Inn and asked him to keep us in mind if he ever had an opportunity for a feature. He said he would, but I wasn’t sure anything more would come of it. Then this morning, he called and said they’re running a feature on landmark B&Bs, and one of the buildings they’d planned to showcase fell through at the last minute. He can give it to us with a two-page pictorial!”

I sat up. “Wow!”

“There are two catches, though. First, they’re on a tight deadline, so they need a full photo shoot within twenty-four hours.”

“Well, I can do that myself, if they’re okay with it.”

“I figured you’d say that, so I just sent a link to your portfolio over to them. I should hear back pretty fast.”

“Okay. What’s the other catch?”

“They want Levi Miller in at least one of the photos.”

“I don’t think he’ll have a problem with that.”

“But won’t that be helping you, and lessening his chances of winning the bet you have going?”

I’d actually forgotten about our bet. “Things have…sort of changed between me and Levi. That’s what I was planning to call you about this afternoon. He’s not pushing me on selling it anymore.”

“Well, that’s a good thing.” I heard a knock at the door through the phone, and Harper said, “Hang on a sec, will you, hun?”

“Sure.”

I listened to the muffled sound of a woman speaking in the background. “Sorry to interrupt, Harper. But your ten-thirty appointment is here. You also have Lyle Druker from theChicago Tribuneon line two.”

“Thanks, Liz. Just give me a minute.” Harper came back on the line. “Sorry about that. I also have a few other things I was able to get lined up for The Palm Inn, but I have to run right now. Maybe we can catch up tonight?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“How much time do you need to check with Levi before I can tellSouthern Livingwe’re a go?”

“He should be back in a half hour. But I really think he’ll be fine with it.”

“Sounds like things have improved between the two of you.”

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