Free Reality TV Bites by Shane Bolks Page B

when—”
    â€œYou know what?” I hit the button to disconnect. “Maybe I’ll check messages later.”
    The intercom beeps, and I almost jump. “Allison?” Miranda’s tone is short and sharp.
    I clear my throat and smile at the camera again. “Yes, Miranda?”
    â€œQuit playing around and get out here. Mr. Watanabe has arrived, and we need you in the meeting.”
    â€œThanks, Miranda. I—” But I hear a click, and she’s gone.
    â€œExcuse me.” I head for the conference room, and the camera crew follows. On the way, I pass Nicolo. He’s leaning against the desk of a petite blonde junior designer we hired about a month ago and flirting with her. Note to self: Fire Britney. Or is she Katie?
    I give him a smile, and his eyes follow me. I glance back, but the camera crew is still following, and wouldn’t they just love to get a shot of me flirting with Nicolo?
    About halfway through the meeting with Watanabe and the rest of the Japanese contingent, which Nicolo never does bother to join, I motion to Miranda to speak privately. We won’t miss anything anyway as the meeting is being conducted in Japanese and Yamamoto is translating about a tenth of it.
    In fact, for the past twenty minutes, Josh and I have been playing tic-tac-toe. Miranda meets me just outside the door, and I cover my mic with my hand. I don’t know if that will mute my voice or not, but I can’t get it off by myself.
    â€œMiranda,” I say as soon as she closes the door. “Do I have to be in on this meeting? I need to get the details and schedules together for the Wernberg project. We were supposed to have a team meeting on that at one.”
    Miranda glances at the conference room, keeping her mic covered, too. “That’s not going to happen today, Allison. We’ll do it Monday.”
    â€œThat’s a big contract, and I still haven’t seen the budget.I’ve got Josh’s numbers on the lighting and some preliminary numbers for the furnishings, but I haven’t talked to Lila or Dylan about the flooring or the interior finishes. And who’s checking on the codes?”
    â€œI need you in there, Allison. Give what you have to Dylan and tell him to be ready to present a complete budget Monday.”
    I frown. “Dylan’s only been here a year.”
    â€œAnd it’s time he proved himself. Your budgets are always off anyway.”
    I gape. “One multiplication mistake and—”
    â€œIt was a five-thousand-dollar multiplication mistake. Now go talk to Dylan, then get your butt back in there.” Miranda goes back to the conference room, and I head across the room to Dylan’s workspace. He’s got his Luxo lamp over his drawing board, and he’s erasing something from canary-colored tracing paper.
    I cover my mic. “Dylan?”
    â€œYeah?” He doesn’t look up.
    â€œMiranda and I need a favor.”
    Now he looks up. He’s got brown eyes and long dark lashes. Very cute, except that he’s about twenty-two and engaged.
    â€œWe need you to get the budget together for the Wernberg project. I’ll have Natalie give you everything I have so far, but it’s not much. We’ll need the numbers by Monday.”
    He swallows. “Okay. You know, I haven’t really done a budget before.”
    Damn Miranda. This is so unfair. Normally I would help the guy out, but I have to get back to the stupid meeting. “Just do your best. I’m sorry. I’d help, but—”
    Dylan glances at the conference room. “TV calls. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”
    â€œThanks, Dylan.”
    â€œAnything I can help with?”
    I turn to see Nicolo standing behind me. He’s wearing a charcoal suit with a red power tie and his eyes are sapphire blue. “Thanks, but I think we’ve got it under control.” The way I say it, I almost believe it