Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“Nice, you’re a natural.”
“Did you ever doubt me?”
“Not at all. I can’t wait to see what you can really do. Now, let’s get our charity some money.”
* * *
I’m talking up a group of women Zoe has introduced me to when I take notice of Mayor Jennings watching me. I lift my champagne glass and tilt it toward him as I smile.
I already know he’s not fond of me and the other assholes. I’m sure this situation doesn’t look too favorable at the moment. I shoot him a wink anyway. I know the sharks when I see them.
Mayor Jennings is in familiar water, no matter what he has the rest of the world thinking. I snap my wrist out to check the time. I wonder what Shawna’s doing?
Shawna
I’m freaking the fuck out. My camera bag was right here before I left to take a walk with some of the younger women in the village. Word came in this morning that Ivan was murdered a few months back, not long after he was fired.
A few of the girls wanted to talk about what happened when he was here. We’ve never had a problem with theft, so I didn’t think twice about leaving my bag behind. I can’t even imagine someone stealing from me.
I have to find my bag. If I don’t, I can’t go to Australia. I can’t believe this is happening to me.
I flop down on my cot and bury my face in my hands. “We leave in two days. What am I going to do?” I murmur to myself.
My phone rings, startling me. I grab it and answer, trying not to burst into tears like a baby. I feel so stupid. I’m self-sabotaging my career.
“Hello,” I sniffle.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Joshua rushes out over the phone.
“I’m so stupid. I left my camera bag in my hut and it’s gone. I should just come home. Clearly, this is too much for me. I’m ruining my career.”
“First, I need you to calm down. You’re not stupid, baby. You’re trusting. Big difference. You belong there as much as anyone else.”
“I should give up. My mom sounds worried all the time, I miss Ven. Everyone here is so much more experienced. This has to be a sign.”
“A sign that what doesn’t break you will make you stronger. You’re gaining experience. Your mom is a mom. She’s momming.
“There’s nothing that will change that. Ven misses you too, but she’s busy getting her business off the ground. I need you to focus on you. You’re growing, learning, and living. You’ve got this, gorgeous. It’s a camera. It can be replaced.”
“Ven bought me that camera. I owe her more than this.”
“She’ll understand. Things happen, sweetheart. I promise this isn’t as bad as it feels in this moment.”
“My mom isn’t going to help. She already wants me to come home. I can’t ask her for a new one.
“I have savings, but I have no idea where or how to get another one. I can’t order one online. It wouldn’t arrive here in time.
“I don’t have the address of where we’ll be staying yet. What if they fire me because I don’t have a camera and can’t get one by the time we get to Australia?” I ramble in a panic.
“I was calling to see when you guys head out,” he says.
“We leave in two days. I’m so fucked,” I huff.
He chuckles. “It’s going to be fine. Act like nothing is amiss. Enjoy your last two days in Africa. Fly with the crew to Australia and I promise it will all be okay by your first day of work there. Do you trust me?”
“Yeah,” I reply without thinking.
“Good, then believe me when I say this is nothing. It’s going to work out.”
“Okay.”
“I bet you look cute as a button all worried and stressed over nothing.”
“It’s not nothing. Wait, you still don’t know what I look like?”
“It is nothing and no. I want to see you for the first time in person. I want the living, breathing, real deal.”
“Sorry to disappoint you,” I murmur sarcastically.
“Stop that. Remember, hold your head high and own that shit. Life is yours for the taking. You can have anything you want.”
“We’re not talking about a thing. We’re talking about a person,” I say and bite my lip.
“Oh, baby. You don’t want me. I promise you, I’m not what you want. You can do so much better than me. I’m fucked up in ways no one can redeem.”
“Why are you allowed to say that about yourself, but I can’t speak the same of me?”
He’s silent for a few beats, leaving me to think I said too much. I drop my gaze to my lap. I should’ve kept my mouth shut.
“I’ll make you a deal. You won’t talk shit about you and I won’t talk shit about me, deal?”