Part 18 (1/2)

*was talking to is Thad Mays, the CEO of our company.” Angela stepped to the side so I could get a good look at him.

”He never comes to these things,” Angela continued. ”I don't have a lot of big accounts, but I do have an extensive amount of small ones. I don't want to be in the next round of layoffs, so I need to make a good impression.”

I was already feeling nervous, and Angela made me want to run screaming from the room. Frankly, I would've done that, but Kalen considered Angela a friend.

”To be honest...” Angela leaned in closer to us. ”If he weren't here, I would make my rounds and hit the clubs.”

Angela didn't look like a party girl to me dressed in her burgundy business suit. Although as I looked at her, I could picture her letting down the long glossy waves of blond hair that were pinned back conservatively and donning a tight pair of jeans.

”You can count on us to represent,” Marvin said. ”The presentation that Kalen has prepared is phenomenal. I use your products every day, and I have never been disappointed.”

Angela's shoulders relaxed as she smiled back at Marvin.

”Thank you, thank you both. You're doing me a huge favor and I won't forget it.”

”Your boss is headed over here,” I said, glancing over Angela's shoulder.

He smiled as Angela turned to look at him. ”Mr. Mays, I'd like to introduce you to Shannon Brycen. She owns Brycen Sisters in New Orleans with her sister, Kalen.”

”It's a pleasure.” He took my hand limply into his own. I tried not to stiffen as he continued to hold it.

”I was just asking Shannon where her partner was,” Angela said. ”Forgive me, what was her name again?” Angela looked me in the eyes.

I was taken aback by the odd change in topics but recovered when Marvin s.h.i.+fted his stance and b.u.mped into me slightly.

”Hailey, and she couldn't make it this time.” Mr. Mays released my hand. ”This is Marvin Henderson. He's one of our most talented stylists.” I stepped back as Marvin moved in and shook his hand.

120.

*”We were just telling Angela how proud we are to be here representing Natural Beauty,” Marvin said. ”I especially love your hair-coloring products. I use them on all my clients.”

”Thank you,” Mr. Mays said with a slight nod.

To me, he looked as though he hadn't a clue about their products. I imagined he had a staff that worried about product lines while he looked at the numbers generated by sales. I felt for Angela, who was dependent on his favor, and made the effort to speak on her behalf. ”I'm sure you have many clients much larger than we are, but Angela treats us like a major player. Your products are excellent, but her service is what demands our loyalty.”

Thad's gaze moved through the crowd as I spoke, probably looking for someone far more prestigious to mingle with before he looked back at me and Angela. ”I'm very pleased to know that,” he said with another slight nod. ”If you'll excuse me.” He didn't say more as he walked off.

”He's an a.s.shole,” Angela said quietly. ”And a womanizer.

That's why I made that comment about your partner. I hope you don't mind, but I wanted to make it clear that you weren't interested before you had to.”

”Wel , thank you for that.” I smiled at Angela. ”I owe you now.”

Angela stayed with us as long as she could, then went to visit with some of her other clients. Marvin and I spoke with a few other salon owners, and thankfully, Marvin did most of the talking. I stood there trying to look interested in the conversation, though like Thad Mays, my time was spent looking at figures on a spreadsheet.

It's not that I didn't like people, I just lacked the social graces that came so naturally to Marvin and Kalen. I smiled and nodded when it seemed appropriate and paid close attention to all the conversations, learning more about our business than I ever really had.”You're doing really well,” Marvin said when we were alone.

”I'm afraid I don't know much about the latest styles or product lines. I really can't add much to the conversations.”

”You're not like Angela's boss.” Marvin accepted a gla.s.s 121.

*of champagne from a server. ”You're listening, it's obvious.”

Marvin grinned at me wickedly. ”I think the whole aloof thing is actually working in your favor. A few women we've talked to were looking you over pretty good.”

”Are my b.o.o.bs hanging out?” I readjusted my s.h.i.+rt.

”No, Shannon, they're looking at the total package.” He elbowed me. ”You're hot.”

”That's all because of you.” I couldn't help but smile at him.

”Thanks again.”

”All my pleasure. Now let's get out of here.”

After I removed my makeup, Marvin and I stood in the mirror of my bathroom, rubbing moisturizer into our faces like two schoolgirls. ”I think I look like Howdy Doody without facial hair. What do you think?” Marvin glanced at me.

I looked at his reflection in the mirror as he opened his eyes wide and snapped his jaw open and shut. ”No, no, you don't...

okay, yes, you do.”

”That's it,” he said with a hand on his hip. ”I'm growing the goatee back. Join me for a nightcap? I think I'm in the mood for a White Russian. h.e.l.l, honey, I'd settle for a Tom Collins if he'd treat me right.” Marvin gave me a playful shove. ”Get it?” he asked as he laughed at his own joke.

”Romance blows.” I followed him out of the bathroom.

Marvin wrapped an arm around my waist and led me to the bar where I took a seat on one of the stools.

He moved behind the bar and started mixing our drinks.

”Pretend I'm a bartender, a very das.h.i.+ng bartender, and tell me all your problems.”

Once again, I found myself telling about Hailey, but unlike when I talked to my mom, I spared no detail right down to the last text message I got from her. By the time I finished, we'd polished off our drinks and Marvin mixed a couple more.

”Still no word from her?” He leaned against the bar.

”No, I guess whatever we had is over.”

Marvin shook his head. ”She seemed so enamored with you when she came to the salon and the night she joined us for drinks.