The hyperblonde smiles; it’s fierce and full of teeth, and her tone is oh so calculating.
“Leo, it’s been ages. But I’ve totally forgiven you. Just kidding. I was never mad.” She shoots me a we’re all good even though you beat me in the chocolate-covered-pretzel game smile.
“I’m glad to hear I’ve received your absolution.”
“Absolution. I love it. You were always a dictionary, weren’t you?”
“I don’t know. Was I?” I’m not sure what her agenda is, but I’m confident she has one. She’s always had one.
She rolls her ice-blue eyes. “You were. And I’m sure you still are. Now, listen. I know we’re going to compete, but I think we should let bygones be bygones. I’ve forgiven you for stealing my dream client.”
“You know the facts. The business was up for grabs. I think we’re good on this count, RaeLynn.”
She laughs. “Fine, up for grabs. Have it your way.”
“It’s not about my way. It’s how it was.”
“It’s water under the bridge. I’m not upset you won Pretzel-ology. Just like I’m sure you’re not upset that we’re launching a Hottest Young Stars line.”
I let that little nugget sink in—that she’s copycatting us. “Is that so?”
“Didn’t you get my e-mail? I sent you one. You know I like to give you a heads-up.” She wags a finger at me. “I bet it went to your spam. Leo, you need to check your spam.”
“I check it religiously. Didn’t see one.”
“Anyhoo, maybe we can help each other on the hunt. The way I figure is if we both work together, and our teams both wind up with the same amount of points, or within five points of each other, we can both win, since I hear that’s how the rules are structured. That way, we can ensure each of our groups gets a full week off.”
Ah, the plot thickens like pea soup. Someone is currying favor with her employees. But I don’t want to cozy up with this someone, since I don’t trust her. “I’ll think about that, RaeLynn.”
She takes a step closer, lowers her voice to a throaty whisper. “This might be a chance for us to get to know each other better.” She winks, and the agenda sharpens even more.
A throat clears. I follow the sound, and it’s Lulu, looking delicious in shorts, sneakers, and a T-shirt that says Life is too short to remove USBs safely.
After I make quick introductions, RaeLynn eyes Lulu’s shirt suspiciously. “You do know you should be careful with USBs, right?”
“I should?” Lulu acts shocked, and it’s utterly delightful to watch.
“You’re really not supposed to pull them out quickly.”
Lulu’s lips twitch, her eyes sparkle, and then words tumble from her mouth. “That’s what she said.”
I laugh heartily, and RaeLynn laughs obligatorily.
“Nice to meet you, RaeLynn.”
“Nice to meet you too.” She doesn’t use Lulu’s name, and the dig isn’t lost on either one of us. “Anyway, think about my offer, Leo.”
As RaeLynn strides away, Lulu stares at me, tapping her toe. “Let me guess. Little Miss Stick Up Her USB Butt was trying to convince you to team up with her?”
I laugh. “How could you tell?”
She shrugs. “Gosh, I have no idea. Also, I don’t think she just wanted to team up with you for the hunt.”
“You think she was making a play?”
She shoots me a Silly Leo, Trix are for Kids look. “I’m all for sisterhood and girl power, but that woman looked at you like she wanted to eat you up.”
“And what does that look like?”
Parking her hands on her hips, straightening her shoulders, and jutting out her perky breasts, Lulu adopts the poutiest, sultriest look. When she’s on this edge of caricature, she pushes herself over the line, making her lips look huge, Botoxed and bee-stung, before she puckers up.
Logically, she shouldn’t look sexy right now. But the fact that she nailed RaeLynn’s MO in seconds makes her sexy-smart, and her portrayal makes me laugh.
“Also, I don’t want her making a play for you.”
Make that sexy-smart and a little jealous. I love this look on her. “Are you jealous, Lulu Diamond?”
She takes my arm and links hers through it possessively. “You’re my teammate. Mine, mine, mine.”
It’s a possessiveness born of friendship, but I like it. Because it doesn’t feel the same as the first go-round. It’s a little bit of the past, mixed with a lot of the present.
Still friends.
But a little flirty now.
Lulu was never flirty back then.
I like her flirty. I like her jealous. Everything feels like a new start, without a third person, without me as that third person.
