probably filling her in on who you are. She’s a femme that likes
femmes. She’s bedded half of her clients, and the word is she’s
fire between the sheets. She’s not into commitment, but she’d be
great entertainment for the weekend.”
Zoe was smoking hot, that was undeniable. It was obvious
that she knew it, too. She wasn’t shy about meeting a few stares
from women as they passed, nor did she look away when she
caught my eye. I averted my attention.
“Shannon?” Angela said behind me a few minutes later.
I turned and looked at her, then at Zoe, who stood close by. A
slight smile curled the side of her lips. I couldn’t help but look
away from her dark gaze as she scanned my face. Embarrassment
washed over me as I looked down at the cleavage revealed by her
tunic-style top. I looked back up at Zoe’s face.
“I’m Zoe,” she said, not waiting for Angela to make the
introduction. “Angela was just telling me about your salons. I
passed by the one on Canal Street the last time I was in New
Orleans, very impressive.” She smiled then and cocked her head
to the side. “Actually, I checked out all four. I took a cab ride out
to St. Charles, then to the one on West End Boulevard. Rampart
and Canal are the real jewels, though.”
Her voice was smooth and low. When my gaze met hers again,
she looked as though she could see directly into my thoughts.
I think she knew and enjoyed that she made me nervous. “I’m
Shannon, nice to meet you.” My voice conveyed every bit of the
tension I felt as it rose an octave higher. Marvin wasn’t going to
be able to help me with this conversation, and the little shit knew
it, too. He moved off, taking Angela with him, to my horror.
“I’m afraid that I’m not that familiar with your salon.” I
tried to sound relaxed. “My sister is usually the one that attends
these types of things. I stay behind the scenes and manage the
finances.”
12
Robin Alexander
“And why are you here now?” Zoe asked with a playful smile.
“She’s pregnant and is supposed to be living stress-free,
although I imagine she’s beside herself wondering what kind of
trouble I’m making.”
Zoe’s gaze stayed locked with mine. “What kind of trouble
have you gotten into so far?”
“I’ve been very well behaved.”
“Then you’re not having a lot of fun.” Zoe pursed her full
lips. “Are you staying here at the hotel?”
I had to shuffle my feet to keep my knees from banging
together. “I am.”
“I’m staying in room 140. Look me up later, and we’ll find
some trouble to get into.” She turned and walked away, then looked
over her shoulder seductively. “Nice to meet you, Shannon.”
Marvin strolled over with his hands in his pockets sporting a
grin. “She gave me her room number,” I said when he looked at
me expectantly.
I did my time in the booth and escaped the first chance I got.
Marvin and I made a pretty good team in my opinion. I handled
the simple questions like “how are you doing?” and Marvin took
over when the topic turned to hair products and style.
In the sitting area of our suite, I kicked off my shoes and took
a look at my cell phone. There were at least a dozen text messages
and two voicemails from Kalen. I gave her a call, knowing what
her first question was going to be…
“Did you go to the social last night?” Kalen said after the
first ring.
In a child’s voice, I replied, “Yes, ma’am, and Marvin made
me pretty.”
She ignored my attitude and went on to the next question.
“Have you been down to the booth yet?”
“Been there all morning, Kalen. We broke for lunch, and I’m
in the room resting my aching feet. Marvin is having lunch with
a guy he met, and Angela is as happy as can be.”
Kalen exhaled loudly. “Good, you’re almost done.”
12
Pitifully Ugly
“How are you feeling?”
“Sleepy. I swear this baby is draining the life out of me. I had
to sit down after I took a shower this morning, I was exhausted,”
Kalen said with a yawn.
“I guess it probably was the best thing that you didn’t attend.
We’ve been on the move pretty much since we arrived.”
“I know you don’t care to hear this, but I’m really proud of
you, sis.”
“Yeah, well, save your praise until after I’ve made your
speech.” My stomach turned at the thought.
“You’re gonna be fine. How is Marvin doing?”
“He’s in his element surrounded by fellow hairdressers. He’s
talked the ear off of everyone that’s dropped by the booth. Angela
adores him.”
“He was a great find. I have to hand it to you, you really
picked a winner.”
“If I choke or throw up during the speech, he still gets the
bonus, right?” Kalen chuckled, but I was dead serious.
We ended the call after she reminded me again of how proud
she was of me. I’m sure she thought she was bolstering my ego,
but it made me feel even more anxious. If I tanked on anything,
I would be disappointing not only my sister, but Angela, as well.
Marvin would probably feel like a failure, too. Pressure started to
build, and I hoped that I wouldn’t melt down like Chernobyl.
The crowds pushing through the exhibition hall were much
larger after lunch. I felt out of place as Marvin and Angela talked
to everyone who visited the booth. Angela had two additional
reps working with her, and they all had their hands full. Everyone
looked haggard and tired by the time the hall closed for the
evening.
“How about dinner?” Angela asked Marvin and me as we left
the booth. “I should at least treat you both to a meal.”
I was looking forward to room service and a hot bath. Marvin,
however, seemed to catch a second wind, and before I knew it, we
were walking down the sidewalk to an eatery that Angela was
12
Robin Alexander
fond of. Apparently, nearly everyone at the convention had the
same idea, and we had to wait in the bar for nearly an hour before
we would be seated for dinner.
Angela passed me a brown drink with a celery stick protruding
from the glass. I gave it a sniff before asking what it was.
“It’s a Stanky Leg,” Angela said with a shrug. “I have no idea
what’s in it, but it’s the house specialty.”
I waited for Angela and Marvin to take a drink first before
I worked up the courage to put my lips to the glass. It was sweet
and spicy at the same time and went down smooth. It wasn’t long
before I’d finished it and another was being pressed into my
hand.
“Hmm, is that a Stanky Leg?” a familiar voice said from
behind.
I turned to find Zoe standing behind me with what looked
like a martini in her hand. “It is, and it’s not half bad.”
“Mind if I taste?” Zoe wrapped her hand around mine and
lifted the glass to her lips. Her gaze locked with mine as she took
a sip while I wished I had an ounce of her confidence. She licked
her lips and smiled before saying, “Tasty.” She let her fingertips
trail over the back of my hand as she released it.