Stuck On You by Cheryl Harper Page A

tables so we’ll work on blocking too. Once the tables are here, the blocking can be done.”
    KT had no idea why Bob had to repeat everything twice. Maybe it was his way of thinking out loud. Most of the time, it was damn annoying, but at this point, it also signaled a cooling off period.
    “Sounds great, Bob. I think this is going to be a great show. Have you got a list of extra shots?”
    He nodded. “Started one. I thought we could interview the owner, some contestants, the winners after it’s all over. Maybe we could talk them into before and after shots. Before and after shots of the winners should definitely be on the list.”
    “Great idea. We’ll work on that.” KT did his best to shove the mental image of Dustin Hoffman’s Rain Man out of his mind. If Bob mentioned he was a very good driver, KT would lose it.
    “I think we’ll go ahead and shoot the dress rehearsal too, just to get some extra footage. Might need extra footage.”
    KT nodded. That was something he’d suggested and at the time Bob had been pretty sure it was a stupid idea. He had no idea what had changed but he was going to go with it.
    “All right. Looks like this is all under control. Onward and upward!” KT clapped his hands together like a man with a plan, turned on a heel, and made a quick getaway. As he stepped back out into the foliage of the lobby, he found a comfortable seat and realized he had no idea how to call his own hotel room. With a sigh, he crossed over to the front desk.
    Willodean was talking with Ortega when he walked up. It seemed a serious conversation but she smiled as she turned to him. “Well, if it isn’t handsome KT Masters. What can we do for you, hon?”
    He waved his useless cell phone. “I just realized I have no idea how to call my hotel room.”
    Willodean tilted her head to the side. “Well, correct me if I’m wrong, but nobody’s gonna answer. I mean, here you are, right?”
    KT smiled. “I hired an assistant. She’s working on updating my receipts so I know how much money I can spend this afternoon.”
    Willodean nodded. “Oh, an assistant. Is that what you kids are calling it?” She pursed bright red lips and waggled her eyebrows.
    “When someone orders the messy file you have and updates a spreadsheet? Yes.” He nodded. “It’s your girl Laura, Miss Willodean. You know she’s not up to any funny business anyway.”
    KT shot a glance at Ortega. He was pretty sure he’d heard a growl rumble from the man but Willodean trilled a laugh to cover up the sound. “Well, now. I know she’d take some pretty solid convincing, KT Masters, but I expect you’ve got just the skill needed to lead even the most virtuous down the garden path, you hound dog.”
    When the manager growled again, KT looked his direction. The murder in his eyes convinced KT to move the conversation along. “Speaking of hound dogs, Miss Willodean, I think I met yours yesterday.”
    Willodean clapped her hands. “Oh, isn’t Misty just the prettiest dog you ever saw? She’s back here, helping to greet the customers as they come in. That’s her job.”
    KT leaned forward to peek over the desk. The ugly dog he’d seen yesterday was sprawled out on a fluffy pink cushion, dead to the world. Her cheeks blew out and sank in with each breath while the little green bows on her ears trembled with each jerk of her head and twitch of her lips. Misty was after something. Hard work wasn’t it.
    Ortega picked up the phone and slid it across the desk. “Dial your room number.”
    KT nodded his thanks. He dialed and Laura answered, “KT’s Pizza Parlor, we’re rolling in the dough.”
    He snorted out a laugh and then turned to see Ortega, Willodean, and a bleary-eyed Misty all watching him. He cleared his throat. “Uh, how’s it going?”
    “Fine. I’ve entered all the new stuff, but still need to double-check the piles you sorted.”
    He looked at his audience again and then turned back to the lobby. “Write down the