She plopped back in the overstuffed cushion behind her. The liquid in her glass went everywhere. “Well, tell me before I end up like the ghosts in your living room.”
“They want me to be on a television show.” The words still didn’t register.
“Shut. Up.” Mindy jumped up and grabbed me. She bounced me up and down in her embrace.
My heart pounded from what had just happened. Everything seemed so surreal. It was a life-changing opportunity. I’d waited for something like this for a long time—something unusual and exciting. And now it had finally happened. Although I had hoped my something exciting wouldn’t involve ghosts. I wasn’t so sure if I wanted this opportunity. I didn’t know the first thing about television, but I guessed this would be my crash course. My grandfather had always said I reminded him of his father, always eager to try new things and willing to learn. Maybe he was right.
“The man said he thought I was a top-notch psychic and perfect for the show.”
“Well, duh, he got that right,” Mindy said.
I didn’t know about me being a top-notch psychic, but I’d take the title. Maybe I was considered one of the leading psychics around my little group of paranormal colleagues, but I helped people because they needed it, not because I wanted to be on some silly show.
“This is so exciting. Can I be on the show too? Can you get in a commercial for pole fitness?” She laughed.
“Take a deep breath.” I watched her exhale, waiting for her to get a hold of her excitement.
“I’m calm. I’m calm.”
She wasn’t calm, but it was close enough.
“But yeah, maybe I could tell them you’re my assistant and you have to be on the show too. Can you believe it? We’re going to be on TV. Real TV.”
“Yeah, not the cable access channel either.” Mindy did a little dance around the room.
“I can give you a few tips on entertainment if you’d like.” Elvis leaned against the door frame with a smile on his face.
“Well, yeah. That would be awesome,” I said. Entertainment advice from Elvis? I’d take it, although I knew for a fact I’d never be singing or dancing in front of the camera. They’d pay me not to do that.
Candy Cherry rolled her eyes. “Please. They must be desperate if they asked you.”
“Hey, you don’t even know me, so why the nasty comments?”
“What did the ghosts say?” Mindy asked, still trying to temper her excitement.
I waved off Candy’s smirk. “She’s just being mean about the show. I’m ignoring her. Anyway, the producer said we start day after tomorrow, but I have to meet them in the morning. Tomorrow! How will we sleep tonight?”
“I’m pretty sure we won’t sleep at all. Guess we’ll have to have more margaritas to celebrate.” Mindy raised her glass in a toast.
I grabbed my glass and clanked it against hers. “I have to call Callahan.”
When I glanced over at Mindy, I thought she was actually breaking out in a cold sweat. “Honey, do you want me to get you a cold rag?”
“I just remembered that Elvis is here. This is too much for a girl to handle.” She took another swig from her glass.
“Too bad Elvis can’t sing a song for us to celebrate.” I stared at Elvis in the hopes that he’d take the hint.
“I guess I could do one song.” He winked.
Mr. Fine snorted. “Oh, brother.”
“Shut up, Mr. Fine.”
“Yeah, shut up and let the hunk show us his moves.”
I scowled at Candy Cherry. She had a point, but she was still rude and I didn’t like her.
The first lyrics of All Shook Up slid from Elvis’ lips. The words came out smooth and floated across the air to my ears like silk. It was then that I realized Elvis couldn’t help but move. It was as if his lower body was controlled by his vocal cords. And I was not complaining. Mr. Fine pouted in the corner, while Candy Cherry was mesmerized. I wondered if Elvis could keep her in that state permanently. I couldn’t blame her though because he had the same effect on me. Electric buzzed through my body as I listened to him sing.
“This is so not fair. What’s going on?” Mindy asked.
I felt bad that she couldn’t see Elvis. I needed to remember to tell him to only perform when we were around. The sacrifices I made, right? I wasn’t looking forward to telling Mindy what Elvis was doing.