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Lorelei snickers. “Sorry, but even if I could, I think that train has already left the station.”
“That’s not funny!” I groan as I slump onto Aunt Celia’s burgundy Oriental rug. “I can’t believe this is happening. A pox on cell phones everywhere.”
“Look on the bright side—you might have just stumbled onto the perfect pitch for your brand.”
She pauses for dramatic effect, and even though I know I’m going to regret it, I can’t seem to stop myself from asking. “What’s that?”
“Callie D. The only lipstick worth jumping in front of a train for.”
I can’t help laughing—so loud, I startle Marlon Brando, who shrieks and flaps his wings before resettling on his perch. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re evil?”
“Loads of times, each of which I cherish.” Despite everything, her cheerful tone makes me smile. “In all seriousness, there’s got to be a way for you to leverage popping up in a viral video with a guy like that.”
“A guy like what?”
“Please tell me you’ve heard of Dash Dashford before.”
“Is he a character in a Twenties screwball movie?” I quip. “Because he should be, with a name like that.”
“No, his real name is Phineas, hence the nickname,” Lorelei explains. “He’s one of city’s most eligible bachelors, according to the Post, anyways. Dude is a total trifecta: single, hot, and loaded.”
“Gee, sounds like a peach,” I say wryly. “Because we all know, rich attractive men have had to really put the work in developing great personalities.”
Lorelei snorts with laughter. “Then maybe he deserved your smackdown,” she says. “Take it as a win.”
I can’t help feeling just a little curious about the guy who took my insane tongue lashing with such calm grace, so I say goodbye, pull up a search bar and get to stalking—
I mean, researching.
Lorelei was right, there are a gazillion hits. Gossip columns, business publications, photos, you name it. Based on the sheer volume of links bearing his name, I might very well be the only person in New York City who hasn’t heard of Phineas Henry Dashford IV.
As I skim through articles, I can’t help feeling just a little satisfied. I said the guy didn’t have any clue what it was like living in the real world, and by the looks of these photos, I was right. There he is sunning himself on a yacht… Strolling the red carpet with some Hollywood starlet… Speeding around a racetrack in a McAdams sportscar for some charity event.
You know, regular people hobbies.
Apparently, he’s some big-shot investor, who got in early on some buzzy tech start-ups. His profiles all talk excitedly about the nightlife business he runs with some of his buddies, like he’s out there hauling beer kegs and playing bouncer on a Friday night. I have to roll my eyes. Everything in this guy’s life has clearly been hand-delivered on a silver platter, straight to his luxury penthouse where I bet he never once had to pose as his dead relative to afford the rent.
And meanwhile, I’m out here ready to go hurl myself off a subway platform because the cost of replacing those sample boxes will mean living off ramen for the month. But that’s what I’ll do, if it helps get my products into the right hands.
Unless…
I pluck his business card from my bag, and turn it over, thinking hard. Lorelei’s voice echoes in my mind.
“… There’s got to be a way for you to leverage popping up in a viral video with a guy like that.”
Leverage. According to my business classes, it’s the most important part of getting a business off the ground. You use the assets you have, to get the things you need.
Like new sample boxes, molds, and the rest of my supplies.
Phineas Dashford said he was willing to replace my makeup, didn’t he? He just didn’t realize I would be making it from scratch.
I dial the number on his card and get his voicemail.
“It’s Dash,” his voice is a low drawl, and I can almost see that boyish grin. “I’m busy, unless this is Lucy, or Paola, or Veronique… Hell, if this is any gorgeous woman, just leave me a message. I’ll get right back to you.”
Is he for real? The man puts this on his business line? I’m almost too stunned to say a word, until the BEEP pulls me back to reality and I get a grip real fast.
“Hey, this is Callie. You know, from the subway station? Anyway, just calling to tell you to get that platinum Amex ready. You owe me.”
