Weekend Wife (Sassy in the City 1)

“That’s really messed up, even for your family. I don’t even understand why your parents care.”

“That is the thirty-billion-dollar question. Now give me some numbers. I don’t want to insult her.”

“Give me parameters. I’m assuming you’ll be kissing and whatnot. But is there on-screen nudity?”

“What?” Instantly my mind went to Leah in her bed just hours earlier, stretching, her breasts rising and beckoning to me. “What do you mean?”

“Will there be a situation in which she has to make it look authentic? Like posing for Sunday morning bed pics for social media where she’s mostly naked next to your mostly naked ugly ass. That calls for a pay increase.”

“I hadn’t thought that far, but that’s a damn good idea.” A big bed. A California king that I could roll around in with Leah, taking her every which way I could…

Damn it. My head wasn’t on straight. Too much pleasure in the middle of a business day. I needed to get it together before my meeting.

“Got it. So partial nudity.” Trevor gave me a number. “If I were you, I’d give her a script to follow and a character to play. Don’t just stroll into this cold without a plan.”

He had a good point. “You’re good at this lying game.”

“Made a career out of dealing with actors. Trust me, I’ve seen a lot of ego and plenty of bullshit.”

“You and me both. Speaking of, I have a meeting I need to prepare for so I’ll talk to you later. Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.”

“Good luck with deceiving your parents.”

That made me laugh. “Desperate times, man.”

We ended the call and I turned back to my notes on the Times Square project. I was in for a busy night. Trevor was right. I needed to create a character for Leah to play. Mostly the real her, because I thought she was pretty amazing as is, but with knowledge about my life and family.

I called Darren. “Did you send that care package?”

“Yes, it should be arriving by four p.m.”

“Cool.”

What actress could resist both a paycheck and a gift? “What was in it, by the way? So I don’t sound clueless if she mentions it.”

I was only half listening to Darren as I spun my chair. Then I sat straight up. “You sent her what? What the fuck!”

“What? What’s wrong with that? You said send your mistress something to make her feel better and that there was no budget.”

“I never said mistress. I don’t have a mistress.” Who the hell had said I had a mistress? What, was I seventy? This had to be the straight-up strangest day I’d had in a long time. Not bad. But very strange. I couldn’t even remember what I had said to Darren that would give him the impression I had a woman I paid to fuck. “Can you cancel the delivery?” Leah was going to think I was a complete asshole.

“I can call and find out but it’s probably already out for delivery. I was trying to be efficient. I’m really sorry, Mr. Caldwell.” My assistant sounded miserable and mortified. “You said she serves you every Wednesday and I thought…”

I was almost tempted to laugh. “She’s my waitress at the diner every Wednesday.”

Darren made a strangled sound of mortification. “Oh, shit. You can fire me. I deserve it.”

“I’m not firing you. Don’t be dramatic. Next time, I’ll be more specific. Now I’ll talk to you later, I’m late for my meeting.”

“You can’t be late to that meeting.”

“I know, that’s why I have to go.”

I ended the call and went for my suit jacket, pondering how in the hell I was supposed to apologize to Leah for accidentally sending her a sex toy.

“I know I said I would meet you at the bar but can you just pop up to my apartment for a sec? I need your opinion on a delivery I got today.” I eyed the package in question with huge suspicion. Why the heck would Grant send me a box? The return address had his full name and an apartment somewhere in Midtown.

“Oh, I plan to give you my opinion on your hookup,” Dakota said. “Though I don’t see why we can’t do that over a drink.”