“I’m not going to take your money. I don’t want any part of it. You don’t ‘owe’ me anything,” I said, nearly spitting venom with every word.
“I understand that you’re upset. If you won’t take the money, I have an alternate arrangement that might be more amenable.”
I eyed him with suspicion. If he thought he could just barge in here with some fancy words and make things right, he was wrong.
“I’d like to hire you, Savannah.”
Hire me? What did he think this was? The 1800s? He couldn’t just buy me off.
“I’m not for hire. I’m not that kind of girl, Graham,” I said, trying to shut the door. He caught it with his foot, thrusting a small sheet of paper my way. I recognized it immediately. It was one of the ads I sent out in the mail, advertising my wedding photography.
“I’d never presume that you were, Savannah. I’m getting married, and I need a photographer.”
What in the hell? I couldn’t breathe. This man comes to my house, and tries to tell me I’m going to photograph HIS marriage? We’d barely been apart six weeks and he’d already jumped in with some other woman? What was this guy’s problem?
“You need to leave, Mr. Archer,” I replied angrily, trying to force the door closed. He held it open, smiling all the while.
“You’re in business as a wedding photographer in the state of Nevada. There are anti-discrimination laws
on the books. I’m offering you well in excess of your normal fee. Twenty thousand dollars… and Twenty thousand more when you’re done with the job. I’ve already paid you, in fact.”
“I never cashed that check.”
“Maybe you should check your bank account then, because I called in a few favors,” Graham replied, laughing. “Just let me do this for you. Come, take a few photos, and use the money to start over. I’ll feel better, you’ll feel better, and I won’t have to drag your business through court for discriminating against a possible client.”
“That will never fly in court. They’ll throw that case out!” I shouted.
“Maybe. You’d be surprised how inexpensive judges are. Just do the right thing here Savannah. Take the money. I’ll give you some time to think it over. Someone will call you later with all the relevant information.”
He was all bluff and no bluster. There was no way he’d try to hold me to the fire like this. I decided to call him on it.
“Just tell me this,” I said, holding a hand on my hip. “If I’m really doing this, who in the hell are you getting married to?”
Graham seemed confused and uncomfortable. He paused a moment and stared into my eyes as if unsure what to say.
“I take it she didn’t tell you?” he said finally.
My stomach turned. “What are you talking about?” I asked, trying not to lose my lunch at Graham Archer’s feet.
“A few days after I flew back to New York… I was crushed, Savannah. You have no idea how much your absence hurt me. I thought you felt the way I did, and I was holding out hope that you would call.”
“What does this have to do with anything?” I asked, my body shaking every so slightly.
“Instead,” Graham continued, “Chandra was the one who called…”
Wait… What?
“I’m sorry. This must be very uncomfortable for you…”
“That lying bitch!” I said, catching myself and holding in a stream of obscenities that were attempting to leap from my mouth. Chandra, my best friend in the world? Chandra, the girl who I’d picked up after so many bad breakups? Chandra, the one person on this whole planet I would trust with my life?
How the hell could she?!?
“Look, maybe I understand why she didn’t tell you Savannah. She was just looking for answers, and I needed someone to talk to. One thing led to another and…”
“I’ve heard enough!” I said, smashing Graham’s foot in the door.
“It doesn’t stop the fact that she wants you to be our photographer. If you respect your friend, if you value your career and your business, please…” Graham said calmly, trying not to show that his foot was now in obvious pain. “The paperwork will be here tomorrow, along with plane tickets. Lets not make this any harder than it has to be.”