The Present by Geanna Culbertson

Author:Geanna Culbertson [Geanna Culbertson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boutique of Quality Books Publishing
Published: 2021-09-25T00:00:00+00:00

“I love this place,” I said, startling Jay as I popped out from behind a display of poinsettias. The flowers were such pure red they’d make a color wheel cry.

I’d phased here and been waiting for him to be alone. It wasn’t hard; I blended in well. My beret matched the poinsettias’ shade, my turtleneck was black like the tiered display stands, and my ankle-length, flowy green skirt went flawlessly with all foliage.

“Frost, what are you doing here?” Jay asked.

I came around the display and leaned against a wall of the bustling shop. “Well, not that helping the fundraising team call supporters and ask for donations isn’t riveting, but I am kind of on a deadline with you so being left at the office all day isn’t ideal.”

“I don’t have time for your ghostly shenanigans right now. I only have an hour for this photo opportunity, then I have four interviews, some holiday jamboree thing, and—”

I held up my hand. “I know your schedule, Jay. Calm down. You think you’re the first big shot I’ve worked with? I—”

A woman holding so much baby’s breath you couldn’t see her face wormed her way between us and knocked me back.

“Your third interview isn’t real,” I continued once she’d gone. “I put that in your calendar last week to block out time for me. Honestly, did you really think there was a blog called HoliDaily News? Annie will be getting a call from Brandon in a little while, pretending to cancel at the last minute.”

“Brandon is a kid.”

“He’ll disguise his voice.”

“You have it all figured out, don’t you?” he said, rolling his eyes. We moved aside as three Hispanic women charged through the flower shop with armfuls of pinecones and pine branches. Then Annie came charging over herself.

“Okay, Jay, we have three news stations present, a photographer from LA Magazine, and—” Annie finally looked up from her phone. “Frost? Why are you here?”

“Jay texted me,” I replied. “He left his fact cards about the flower district on his desk and wanted me to bring them.” I reached into my pocket and handed Jay a few index cards.

Jay exhaled in frustration but played along. “Thank you, Frost. Annie, is the rep from the American Florists Exchange ready?”

Annie gave me a suspicious look. “Yes, he’s here, along with a senior member of Southern California Flower Growers, Inc. Let’s go. It’s time for on-camera introductions.”

“I’ll be there in one minute,” Jay replied. “Get them to film me coming out of this shop. Gives it a more casual, Huell Howser approach.” He waved for Annie to exit.

When she left, Jay turned to me and held up the notecards. “You need to work on your lies. Campaigning for governor may have taken me all over California, but LA is my city, and history has always been my favorite subject. I may review notes before TV interviews, but I don’t need cheat sheets for something like this. After I showed you the Palace theatre and The Last Bookstore, I

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