“Didn’t want to close him?” I said, once Cassandra and I were back out in the lobby, Cassandra knocking back half a bottle of water in one go and wiping her mouth.
“People get buyer’s regret when you close them on the first go,” she said. “I like to aim for three rounds unless they volunteer first.”
I folded my arms. “Where’d you learn that?”
“Ah… Kingmaker taught me.”
“The man, the myth, the legend. When do I meet him?”
She snorted. “Never, if I want to keep my dignity intact. Even though I’m indebted to his network and stuff, I’m embarrassed to know him. White guy with braids and a durag. Never seen him wearing anything other than a tacky gold tracksuit.”
“Wow.”
“You’re good, you know?” she said, leaning back against the wall. She looked so tired… I wondered if she was taking care of herself. She’d looked like she was about to crumple to the floor when I’d asked her if she was okay. But even so, she smiled at me, like everything was better when I was here, and I was feeling a little spoiled by it. “You picked up on everything right away and filled in the gaps.”
I laughed. “Not regretting Krysten sending me along with you, then?”
“Ah.” She scratched her head, blushing. “You know it wasn’t that I doubt your abilities. I mean, you do know that, right?”
“What was it, then?”
“Ugh. What do you think, Helena?” She blushed harder now, scratching her neck, her arm, bouncing on the balls of her feet. I couldn’t help smiling. If it was just that she liked me toomuch to focus on the work when I was around… or that she didn’t trust herself around me…
Jesus, it was like I never learned my lesson. I couldn’t do anything with a married woman, not even if she and her husband were going through… whatever they were going through. Even if I was fast getting addicted to the way this confident, headstrong woman was smooth and suave until the moment I said the right thing to turn her into putty in my hands.
That line of thinking didn’t make it sound like I was learning my lesson.
“If I’m too distracting…” I started, and she let out awhooshof air.
“Look, I’m pretty sure anyone would get distracted by you. But I’m fine. I’m a professional.”
God, I couldn’t help the curiosity. I sidled in a little closer. “Not used to being distracted by a woman?”
“I have had full-fledged relationships with women before. On multiple occasions. But there’s a difference betweenwomenas a general concept and, uh, you.”
Well, well. Wasn’t Houdini full of surprises? I bit my lip, smiling. “That’s one way to learn I’m not a woman,” I said. “What am I, then?”
“Ha. Not exactly what I meant. But I think I already said you’re a muse.”
“Helen of Troy. A bit destructive.”
“Maybe, but… sometimes it’s… worth it,” she said, getting quieter, like she was barely even hearing herself, looking up at me with that expression like she’d never seen anything so breathtaking, and thank goodness the gods were looking out for me despite my cursed fate, because I was saved from doing anything about that feeling building in my chest by a door opening and Stephen Shale coming into the lobby.
“Hey, Miss Branch—oh, uh, hi. Sorry. Am I interrupting something?”
“No—” Cassandra went bright red. I decided to spare her the agony, leaning against the wall next to her and casting a dry smile towards Stephen.
“I’ll ask you,” I said. “Which Greek god would I be?”
He blanked. “Um… Zeus?”
“I’m Zeus?” I made a face, and Cassandra snorted, covering her mouth as she laughed.
“All done in there, Stephen Shale?” she said. He stood up straighter, adjusting his shoulder bag like he wasn’t used to wearing one.
“Yep, all good, ma’am. Man, I am feeling electric. Got my first record set and everything.”
Cassandra clapped him on the shoulder. “It’s just a demo track, man. Don’t get too excited. Best is still to come.”
