Ain't Misbehaving by Shelley Munro

Author:Shelley Munro [Munro, Shelley]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: contemporary romance, New Zealand, anthology
Publisher: Munro Press
Published: 2015-04-16T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

One month later at Ash’s place of work

Charlotte advanced the page on the screen, pausing to allow Ash and the tattooed biker client to study the cartoon strips she’d sketched in black ink. Between page turns, she wiped her palms down the legs of her black jeans.

“I jotted down some other tie-in concepts.” She was talking too fast, nerves raising her pitch. Charlotte made herself pause for air and blew it out before she started speaking again. “I know it’s more than you requested in the brief, but inspiration struck.”

The two men glanced at each other but didn’t speak, and the desire to flee rose in her. In the end, she’d given Ash brief details of her plans and left it at that, mainly because she wanted to present her suggestions and experience the good and bad of designing freelance firsthand. If the client hated her ideas, she’d scramble for another brainwave. She wiped her hands on her thighs again.

“A super hero and a princess. That’s novel. Why?” The deep frown lines across the client’s forehead scrunched together.

Heck, telling the client she’d done it on a whim while daydreaming about Ash didn’t come close to professional. Nausea tickled the pit of Charlotte’s stomach while her mind scurried for an excuse. “Not long ago I attended a fancy dress ball and saw Zorro on the dance floor with a princess. It occurred to me a super hero would appeal to both sexes as an action figure while the princess would contrast and appeal to girlie girls. The princess could help with scooter sales. I think the cartoon approach is different, and you’d be able to use it as an ongoing sales tool with the pair having different adventures.” As she advanced the page to show the client more cartoons, Ash squeezed her shoulder. She glanced at him, sucking in a breath at the approval glowing in his face. Her breath eased out and some of the fluttering in her stomach subsided.

“Have you drawn more?” the client asked.

Nodding, she handed over a poster-size page of cartoons drawn in vibrant color. She showed him the artist trading cards they could give away in the store.

The client lifted his head, his frown lines smoothing out to mere creases. “This is better than I imagined. I was thinking motorbike photos, maybe with scantily clad models, but these cartoons have more scope. What’s the next step?”

Ash took the lead, planning a schedule with the client and discussing other details from the checklist in front of him.

When Ash showed the client out, another was waiting to see him.

“Won’t be a moment, Ron,” Ash said. “Laura, can you ask one of the assistants to get us coffee please?”

Charlotte’s phone rang. It was Mr. Batchelor, the lawyer. She agreed to a time to see him and hung up, scowling.

“Something wrong?” Ash asked while closing the office door to ensure privacy.

“The lawyer wants to see me again. It’s probably about the bequest from Gran. I’m sure Elizabeth has found a way around the legalities.

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