Just Like Me, Only Better by Carol Snow Read Free Book Online Page A

Mr. Jay Sharpie, who is Miss Haley Rush’s manager, requested that I contact you regarding your meeting scheduled for this Monday with himself and Miss Rush.”
    “Yes,” I said. “I need directions.”
    “May I ask where you will be coming from?”
    “Fullerton.”
    Silence. And then: “May I ask where that is?”
    “Orange County. Just north of Anaheim.”
    More silence. And then: “I will have to get back to you.”
     
     
    “Hello? ”
    “Yes, good afternoon Miss . . . Veronica. This is Rodrigo Gonzo again, calling regarding Monday’s meeting with Miss Haley Rush and Mr. Jay Sharpie. Mr. Sharpie has asked that I arrange to meet you somewhere mutually convenient, after which I will take you to meet Miss Rush. Perhaps I could pick you up in Calabasas?”
    “Calabasas is two hours away from me.”
    “Yes, but I need to pick you up away from L.A.” He lowered his voice. “We can’t let anyone see us.”
    “Why not just come to Orange County?”
    Pause. “Mr. Sharpie mentioned your familiarity with Hermosa Beach. Perhaps that would be a mutually convenient destination?”
    “Hermosa Beach is in the wrong direction.”
    “Pasadena?”
    “It’s in the other wrong direction. Look, why don’t you just pick me up someplace off the highway? In Santa Fe Springs, there’s a little Mexican place in a strip mall right before the I-5 on-ramp.”
    Pause. “I am not familiar with Santa Fe Springs.”
    “It’s in L.A. County.”
    “Okay, then.” He sounded nervous.
     
     
    “Hello? ”
    “Yes, good morning, Veronica, this is Rodrigo Gonzo calling about your meeting today with Mr. Sharpie and Miss Rush.”
    “Right—I was just about to leave. Eleven o’clock at El Taco Loco, right? And you’ll be driving a green Prius?”
    “Yes. I mean no. Mr. Sharpie sends you his deepest apologies, but he is forced to reschedule due to a last-minute conflict.”
    “Oh.”
    “Tomorrow okay? Same time, same place?”
    “I guess.”
     
     
    “Hello? ”
    “Yes, good morning, Miss Veronica.”
    “Is this about today’s meeting?”
    Sharp intake of breath. “Mr. Sharpie sends you his deepest apologies, but he was called out of town unexpectedly. He is sorry to inconvenience you and was hoping that we could try again on Friday.”
    “Try again?”
    “Reschedule.”
    “Which is it?”
    “Heh-heh. We appreciate your humor and your understanding. Eleven o’clock sound okay?”
     
     
    “Good morning, Miss—”
    “Rodrigo? Don’t tell me you’re canceling again.”
    “Mr. Sharpie is deeply, deeply sorry for the inconvenience, but—”
    “I have a job. Another job. A real job. And this is three times that I’ve missed work for nothing.”
    “Mr. Sharpie and Miss Rush sincerely look forward to dialoguing with you at your earliest convenience.”
    “My earliest convenience is now. Today. You know what? Just forget it.”
    What was I thinking? That I’d really get paid a hundred dollars an hour to go shopping and get my nails done? The first rule of life: when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
     
     
    “Hello? ”
    “Veronica? Jay Sharpie.” So he did know how to dial his own phone.
    “Yes?”
    “I’m sorry about canceling our meeting. Honestly. Sincerely sorry. I had to fly to Rhode Island to discuss the next generation of Haley dolls.”
    “Uh-huh.”
    “Let’s try again.”
    “I’ve already missed three days of work, Jay. Trying isn’t good enough.”
    There was some crackling on the line. “We won’t reschedule again. You have my word.”
    I didn’t say anything.
    “Really—any time. Whatever works best for you. We’ll be there. I promise.”
    “Fine.” I am such a wimp. “Monday morning. Ten a.m.”
    Pause. “Monday’s out. How about Tuesday at noon?”

Chapter Eight
     
     
     
    H ello?”
    “Yes, good morning, Veronica. This is Rodrigo Gonzo—”
    “You’re canceling our meeting.” My voice was flat.
    “What? No. Of course