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“It doesn’t have quite the same ring to it, now does it?” Loretta says, clucking her tongue. “It’s those two Gs. Woman and get ’er don’t ring like get ’er done girl does.”
“You can say girl,” I say to Jim. “I know what you mean.”
“Well,” Jim says, “My point is, you have my blessing. If Porch Light takes you out of the office here and there, I know we’ll be fine. And not only that. You have my support. Let Janelle and me know how we can come alongside this project. You know my wife. She loves a good charity.”
“Thank you,” I say. “That means a lot. It’s not approved yet. But … fingers crossed.”
Loretta knocks on her desk. “Knock on wood,” she says. Then she looks down and adds, “Or … fake wood.”
Jim huffs out a laugh, smiles at each of us, and turns to walk back down the hallway.
My phone rings and I pick it up. If the main line rings, Loretta answers it. Whoever this is has my direct line.
“Hearthstone Realty. Cass speaking. How may I help you?”
“Hey, Cass. It’s Bryce.”
“Oh hey, Bryce. What’s up?”
“I'm doing a project. I'd love to have you involved. I talked to Jim, he said he'd give you a few hours out of the office tomorrow if you're game.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Have you seen those stranger shoots photographers are doing on the internet?”
“You mean where two people show up like they’re on a blind date and the photographer takes pictures of them holding hands and smiling at one another like they’re a real couple?”
“Exactly.”
“It’s sweet of you to think of me, but I’m not looking for a relationship … not one that gets filmed before I’ve even had a chance to see the man or talk to him. I don’t mean to be blunt, but I don’t think I’m the best candidate.”
“Well, hear me out, Cass. This isn’t a blind date. Not at all. I’m doing this for a fundraiser for youth football. The proceeds of what I make online and from the shoot will all go to supplement the cost of registration and uniforms for kids who can’t afford to participate.”
He just hit the sweet spot and he probably doesn’t even know it. Youth football and kids who can’t afford to play organized sports? I’m in. Even if it means posing like I’m in a relationship with a total stranger.
“For a good cause, I’ll do it.”
“Great!”
“You know how I love football.”
“I do know. And I figured you might change your mind when you heard that part.”
“You don’t play fair, Bryce.”
“I play to win,” he jokes. “I’ll send you the details in a text.”
“Sounds good.”
“See you tomorrow, Cass. And … thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Depending on how this goes, you might owe me one.”
“I think, knowing you, you’re going to say you owe me one when this is over.”
That’s cryptic.
“This isn’t a blind date, though,” I clarify.
