They’d had a bad experience with a previous graphic designer who liked to hide subliminal pictures in their art. Neither Riley nor Josh could believe that the company hadn’t noticed how the apples and banana were arranged in a way that made it look like their grape-shaped mascot was engaged in sexual activity with a cornucopia. Not a great look, and Josh would make sure their version was family-friendly.
He was about to get to work on the seeds of the strawberry when Riley cleared his throat next to him.
“I was wondering,” he started, his nerves returning. “Are we, um… Are we exclusive?”
Josh turned to Riley and thought hard for a moment.
“Well, yeah, when our clients sign our contracts they promise not to take our designs to someone else, right?”
Riley chuckled. “Yeah, but, uh, I was talking about you and me. This romantic thing we’re trying. Is it just us or do you want to keep seeing other people too?”
Oh.
“Well, yeah. I never liked seeing more than one person at a time anyway. Way too complicated. But why would I want anything else when I’m with you?”
The tension eased from Riley’s shoulders, and he looked like he suddenly dropped fifty pounds of weight. He had no reason to worry. Or was he asking becausehewanted to see other people?
“Doyouwant to be exclusive?” Josh asked slowly.
“Yeah!” Riley shouted, then cleared his throat. “Sorry. Yes. Yes, I do.”
“Good.” Josh smiled at him. “Because I’d really—”
A ding rang out from both of their computers, and Josh turned to his screen.
They’d gotten an email from someone named Maritza Shaw with the subject line:Cover Design Request.
“Oh shit, a new client!” Josh said excitedly as he opened the email. He heard Riley clicking and figured he was opening the same email. He didn’t expect to hear Riley whisper, “What the fuck?”
Riley was a much faster reader than him, so Josh remained focused on the email.
I’m an author looking for a new cover designer and artist, and CJ Rollins recommended your work. The designs you’ve done for him are amazing and I’m looking for similar styles. Please let me know if you have availability to fit me in as a new client. I would be happy to go over my needs with you.
Thank you,
Maritza Shaw
“Huh,” Josh said as he finished the email. He turned to Riley to see him still staring at his screen. “Should we ask her if she knows her friend CJ is a stalker? Do you think she’s like him?”
“I’m trying to figure out the most professional way to ask that question.”
Josh scooted over on the couch until he was next to Riley and could see his screen.
“What if you asked her how she knows CJ?”
“Yeah, something like that could work,” Riley said as he drafted a response. Riley usually handled talking with the clients since he was way more qualified to discuss the business parts of Jollywood Graphics. Josh hated the one business class he took and barely passed. Luckily, Josh did the bulk of the artwork so it was still an equal split of tasks.
Thank you for considering Jollywood Graphics for your design needs. We do have availability and would love to take you on as a client. However, we’ve had some concerns recently working with CJ Rollins. Would you be able to give us more information about how you know him and the kind of business relationship you’re seeking?
“How does that sound?” Riley asked.
“Better than anything I’d write. I’m not sure how you’d professionally ask, ‘Hey, did you know your friend is a psycho stalker?’ I say, sendit. Worst-case scenario, we don’t get her as a client, but I don’t wantanotherstalker.”
“True, nothing to lose,” Riley said as he hit send.
They didn’t have to wait long for Maritza’s response.
For the love of God, what did he do now? I’ll talk to him if you need me to.
