We go over the details in an office at the back of the hangar, then I pay Tina’s half of the deposit and Oliver uses Ryan’s credit card to pay his half.
As soon as we’re back in Oliver’s truck, I get a new text message.
“Speak of the devil,” I say, referencing our conversation earlier. “Malcolm just texted me.”
Oliver raises an eyebrow. “Are you going to dump him right now?”
I read the message.
Malcolm
I don’t like how our last conversation ended. Want to meet up at H.M. Lounge tonight at 8?
Now it’s my turn to raise a brow. It seems like he’s deliberately disregarding my request to keep our meetings during business hours.
Priscilla
That won’t work for me. I can probably fit you into my schedule Monday morning for a video call.
Malcolm
How about this: we meet up tonight at 8 and I’ll pay you double what your normal rate is. Fair enough?
The audacity of this man makes me feel sick. I wish I had never given him the time of day when he showed up at my table a couple weeks ago. I’m not even sure what to believe now. He had said that my old boss was responsible for the caterer situation, but after just a few short interactions with him, he strikes me as the type of person who might lie about that sort of thing for his own benefit. I don’t trust him.
“What’s wrong?” Oliver asks. “You’re turning red and you look like you could kill someone.”
“This guy is just confirming that I made the right decision to not move forward with his company.”
Priscilla
I think that money would be better spent on the disabled adults you’re supposedly supporting.
Malcolm
Ouch haha…
I like ’em feisty.
What do you mean you can “fit me in” on Monday, though? You only have one other client. You’re exclusive with me now.
Priscilla
I’ve taken on more clients and I won’t be able to move forward with arranging ANY-Time’s events.
Malcolm
I can make you change your mind.
I still want to meet up with you tonight. 8pm. Don’t stand me up.
“He’s disgusting,” I say to Oliver. I read the messages aloud to get his opinion.
“Tell him you have a boyfriend,” Oliver says. “Not that it should matter, since you should be able to reject a guy for any reason you want.”
“I already told him that last week. I thought that would be the end of it, but he won’t take no for an answer. I think I’m going to have to block him.”
I decide not to waste any more time thinking about it. I pull up his number on my phone and block it. Then I power my phone off so that I won’t have to think about it anymore.
