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 att.i.tude 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.

*"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 Chern.o.byl.

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.

*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 pa.s.sed me a brown drink with a celery stick protruding from the gla.s.s. 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 gla.s.s. 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 gla.s.s 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.

"Would you like one?" I asked.

She held up her drink and leaned into me, pressing her body against mine. "Maybe later. I tend to lose all my inhibitions when I drink."

I seriously doubted she had any inhibitions perfectly sober.

"Would you like to join us for dinner, Zoe?" Angela said, appearing beside us.

Zoe slipped an arm around my waist as she turned to look at Angela. "I wasn't planning on eating, but now I'm feeling a bit hungry," Zoe said as she gave me a squeeze.

"Good." Angela shot a quick glance at me. "I'll let the hostess know that we have another joining our party."

I caught Marvin's eye as I watched Angela walk off. He was sporting a huge grin as he turned, leaving me alone with Zoe.

"What are your plans for the rest of the evening?" Zoe asked, keeping me in her grip.

12.

*I felt awkward when I turned to look at her. Our faces were mere inches apart. I hoped that the Stanky Leg on my breath was covering the onions I had on my salad at lunch. "I don't have any,"

I said, trying to sound at ease.

Zoe smiled and looked at my lips. "Well, maybe that will change."

"I've spoken to the hostess, and she's ready to seat us now,"

Angela said as she stepped into my line of sight. "Shall we?" She motioned toward the dining room. Without waiting for a response, she took my hand and led me through the crowd. I looked back at Marvin, who had offered his arm to Zoe and was leading her along behind us.

Angela seemed to be in a hurry as she pulled me along. I did my best to keep up and stay upright on the high heels I rarely wore. I got the distinct impression that she was uncomfortable with the way Zoe and I were behaving. When we were led to the table, she inserted herself between Zoe and me so that we were forced to sit across from each other.

"So, Shannon, are you nervous about the presentation tomorrow?" Angela asked after she ordered another round of Stankys for us all.

I wanted to say no, but since I was doing this for her, I felt she should share in some of the nervous antic.i.p.ation that I was feeling. "I'm terrified."

"You've spoken publicly before," Angela said with a smile that faltered. "Haven't you?"

I shook my head. "Kalen is the mouth and I'm the brain."

I chanced a quick glance at Zoe, who seemed to be enjoying Angela's unease.

"The speech has already been prepared, and Shannon knows it in her sleep, "Marvin said.

Angela nodded and looked back at me. "Let me give you some advice. First get a good night's sleep." Angela jumped like she'd been kicked under the table. She glanced angrily at Zoe for a fleeting second and looked back at me. "You don't really need to come to the booth tomorrow. Have a ma.s.sage in your room.

That's what I do when I have to give a presentation. You'll be nice

12.

*and relaxed, and the speech will be over before you know it."

"I find the Jacuzzi to be equally as relaxing," Zoe said. She tilted her head and looked at me with a smoldering gaze. "I have one in my room."

I couldn't look at Zoe for more than a second. The promise of s.e.x practically oozed from her pores. I looked back at Angela, then the muscles in her jaw twitched. She seemed p.i.s.sed.

Marvin gazed back at me and smiled when I looked at him.

As though my discomfort was obvious, he spoke up. "Ladies, I think all this relaxation talk might be making things worse."

I nodded and looked around the table sheepishly. "What I need right now is some food. These Stanky things are going straight to my head."

We ordered dinner, and the tension between Zoe and Angela seemed to lift. The discussion went back to the convention and the gossip that was floating around among competing salons and vendors. I had no interest in any of it, so I concentrated on my steak. The food seemed to clear some of the haze from my brain.

I ate fast, hoping that I could somehow draw this evening to a quick close.

"Excuse me." I stood, hoping that I wasn't going to stagger.

"I'm going to the ladies' room."

Zoe looked as though she were about to get up, as well, when Angela jumped up and took my arm. "I'll go with you."

Angela stood with her arms folded, leaning against the vanity when I came out of the bathroom stall. "Feeling all right?"

I washed my hands and wet a towel that I held to my neck.

"Are you and Zoe...?" I let the meaning of my question hang in the air.

"G.o.d, no, she's a pariah, and I'm straight."

"Then what's the deal?"

"Your sister gave me strict instructions to keep you away from her. She likes to brag about her conquests. If she beds you, everyone will know about it before breakfast."

"Then why did you invite her to dinner?" I asked, feeling a bit p.i.s.sed that I was being chaperoned by not only Marvin, but Angela, too.

10.

*"She's a client." Angela sighed.

"I'll make it easy on you," I said, feeling very tired and longing for bed-alone. "I'm ready to turn in for the night, and not with Zoe."

My cell phone buzzed in my pocket. I fished it out and looked at the screen. She's headed for the bathroom. Somebody stopped her, don't know how long- "Zoe's on her way in here," I said quickly and stuffed my phone into my pocket. Maybe it was the Stanky Legs or maybe it was just spite, but I pulled Angela into my arms and laid one on her.

I heard the bathroom door open and Zoe say, "ah," then chuckle.

I tried to appear surprised at the interruption. Angela didn't have to act as she stood there with her lipstick smeared. "We...

uh...we don't tell anyone." I gestured between Angela and me. "It might be considered unprofessional."

"Your secret is safe with me," Zoe said with a smirk as she slipped into one of the stalls. This time, I took Angela's hand and led her back to the table.

I motioned for the check once we were seated. I looked over at Angela, who still looked stunned. "I don't think either of us has to worry about Zoe now." I reached over and wiped some of my lipstick off of Angela's bottom lip. "And tell my sister that I can take care of myself."