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Authors: Susana Falcon

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A Half Dozen Fools (15 page)

BOOK: A Half Dozen Fools
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Nissa growled, "That fucker!" as she strode inside her studio.

Elyse and Carla shot each other a worried glance.

While Carla gathered up the paperwork from her client, Elyse sprayed glass cleaner over the next countertop. Wiping it arduously, she frowned when it remained cloudy. It was simply impervious to any effort at making it shine.

Nissa came around the corner with her coat on, wheeling her full-size makeup box like luggage. She stopped by Elyse as she tucked her scarf inside her coat. "That fucker said I couldn't have the time off!" She pulled her rainbow-colored cap over her bob. "As if I'd miss a chance like this! Is he high, or what?"

"What are you going to do?" Elyse asked.

"I did it, already--the only thing I could. I quit!"

"Oh, wow," Elyse exclaimed in a panicky voice. "You quit? For real?"

"I sure did. That prick. I've got better things to do than push his crappy line anyway. To begin with, the foundation's too goddamn thick. It's shit!"

"Well," Elyse said defensively, "it's good for stage..."

"Whatever! Believe me, I got all the lipsticks and brushes I'll ever need from here." She lowered her voice and said in cheeky tone, "The only good stuff, I took a long time ago, believe me."

"You did?" Elyse asked.

"Hell, yeah! I hooked up my box up when I first started."

"You bought stuff for your box?"

Nissa gave Elyse a look. "Wake-up, sleepy head."

"Oh," Elyse said, grasping the notion that Nissa had pilfered from the stock.

Nissa hissed, "Those cheap Hoffenzimmers never did me any favors!"

At the sound of Rod's office door opening, Nissa grabbed her makeup box handle and rolled it fast toward the door.

"I'm outta here!" she said with snippy petulance. "Talk atcha later!"

"Good luck, Nissa," Elyse said. "Let us know how it goes."

By the time Rod had reached the retail counter, Nissa was rushing headlong into a gust of wind.

Carla crept back to the spa.

"What a stunt!" Rod bellowed. "What an ungrateful little--" He caught himself and huffed. "I just called Judy and told her what happened. Elyse, you're gonna have to get out the book and pencil in Nissa's appointments for yourself. If you're already booked, call and try to reschedule. Otherwise, we'll get a freelancer in to cover."

"Sure, Rod," Elyse said.

"
You
'll make all the money over the holidays," he boomed. Glaring out the window, he added, "No loyalty, at all!"

While Elyse was grateful for the chance to earn more money, the thought of appointments around the clock brought tremors of anxiety. Her adrenals ached with the mere thought of keeping it together for the onslaught.

She set about rescheduling appointments as Rod had ordered. At various points throughout the day, however, she found herself pushing away jealousy and fighting bitter tears. She knew it wasn't nice to be jealous of Nissa's good fortune, but frankly, it sounded like a dream come true. Who wouldn't want a gig like that in Belize, just before Christmas? An exotic environment with beautiful models, success at doing what you love?

She sighed and switched around as many double-bookings as she could, dreaming of the kind of good luck Nissa had gotten in escaping the Make-Up Place doldrums.

 

Chapter 10

 

While Bobby locked every one of the four dead bolts on his apartment door, Elyse slipped off her overcoat.

"Think you've got enough locks going on there, Bobby?"

"Better safe than sorry."

She sashayed into the living room.

Between the buzzer into the main building, two doormen on call at all times, his phone to the front desk, and a sundry locks on his apartment door, Bobby struck her as paranoid. But she kept that thought to herself and grabbed a magazine off a pile on a side table. Plopping down on the sofa, she crossed her ankles on top of the coffee table. A moment later, Bobby cuddled up beside her. He put an arm around her shoulders and caressed her thigh with the other hand.

"Did I tell you how hot you look in that black jumpsuit?"

"Maybe," Elyse answered in a teasing voice, "only five or six times before, during, and after dinner."

He nuzzled her neck. "Mm...what a body! You make me crazy, you know that?"

"You might have mentioned that a couple of times, too."

He laughed and tickled her ribs.

"Ow--stop! No tickling! I hate that--stop, Bobby!"

He stopped only to kiss her.

Before he got too hot, Elyse decided to revisit a subject she'd alluded to during dinner and hadn't fully pursued.

Gently breaking away, she slid back against the sofa and assumed an alluring pose. Bobby grinned and waited for her next move. Pouting playfully, she draped herself suggestively against the armrest. He leaned back to look at her, head cocked to one side.

"So, Bobby?" she ventured.

Bobby's blue eyes sparkled with desire. "Yes, Elyse?"

"Remember back at dinner, when I mentioned how my friend, Nissa, got that great gig in Belize?"

"Mm-hmm..."

"Well, she's a good makeup artist, but, believe me--so am I."

"I have no doubt of that. You showed me your artwork. From that alone, I'm impressed. I have no doubt it translates to the skin."

"Right. Well, that's kind of my point."

"What's your point?"

Since asking favors did not come naturally to her, Elyse poised herself in preparation. Throughout her whole life, she'd found it difficult to come right out and ask for what she wanted. She preferred to go out and earn it. But she'd also come to realize there were certain places you couldn't get to without assistance. If she wanted the opportunity to earn in a new way, she was going to need a little help getting in.

This is business, and my career's at stake.

She bucked up to make her request when the prickly fear of rejection suddenly spread across her skin. She swallowed and pushed it away, focusing her mind solely on what she needed now.

"Okay, well," she began. "Nissa's a lucky girl, wouldn't you say? A free gig to Belize, working with all those super models and a famous photographer?"

Bobby cast her a coy look. "Why, Elyse, you want to go to Belize?"

"No, I don't care so much about that part as I do the other."

"What other?"

"The part where she's working with all those big people--all that talent."

"Oh?"

"Yes, Bobby. Look...working at the Make-Up Place is nowhere. I want to do film and television. Like my buddy, Dylan. He's a staff makeup artist for
One Day At A Time
."

Understanding dawned over Bobby. "Oh..."

"He'll help me any way he can, only nobody's leaving at the moment. Who would? It's such a great gig." Emotion got the better of her, and she suddenly threw all caution to the wind. "I need a break, Bobby! I need the chance to work in a better place, like in film or TV. I'd be great!"

Bobby raised his brows. "I'm sure you would--I have no doubt of that."

Elyse got excited thinking how incredible it would be to earn big bucks doing what she loved. Deep fires of passion stirred in her belly, and her creative juices began to churn.

"God, Bobby--it would be so awesome to work in network television. I'd kill for the chance!"

"Well, baby," he said. "I don't think that's necessary. I can help you out, but nobody has to die."

Elyse laughed and drew herself up to her knees.

"I was hoping you'd say that," she purred. "I didn't really want to have to kill for a gig."

Kneeling close, she pressed against him. He slid his arm between her legs and brought the crook of his elbow up against her crotch. She gyrated against it, and he massaged her backside. Soon she was rotating in rhythm with his rubs.

Rubbing her ass, he seemed to become lost in thought. Elyse kept her gaze on his face.

"Yeah," he said slowly, "I can get you in. Lennie does my makeup, this sweet little gay guy. Funny, too. I don't see why he can't show you the ropes. Lemme talk to the producer..."

A wave of elation washed over Elyse. "Really, Bobby? You would do that for me?"

"Yeah. I've got the muscle...only, just one thing, you have to promise."

"What's that?"

"No talk about us on a personal level. Nobody can know about our relationship, and how we're--involved."

Elyse stopped gyrating and looked at him. "Look, I'm a consummate professional," she said flatly. "I'd never let my personal relationship interfere with my work--never."

"I know, but this is network television we're talking about. It's huge. A lot of money at stake. I couldn't afford some of the stupid kinds of mistakes I made early in my career. So--nobody can know about us--
no one
. You have to swear, or it's not gonna happen."

Unprepared for such clandestine precautions, Elyse frowned. She wondered why he was so insistent on secrecy. Something in it bothered her, as if he was ashamed of their involvement. She always behaved professionally, no matter where she worked. On set with Joel, she'd behaved like a pro even while he'd flirted shamelessly with her. She'd never once let his behavior alter her professionalism. Now she tried not to take Bobby's caveat personally. Finally, she succeeded. After all, he was holding all the cards.

"Sure, Bobby, of course. If that's the way you want it..."

"That's the way I want it," he stated resolutely. "I'll help you, but that's how it has to be."

"Whatever you say,
señor
."

Bobby's conditions on his helping her out had dampened her mojo at the moment. Just as she started to pull away, however, he slid his arm between her legs again, and cupped her butt in his hand. Gently, his other hand reached up to massage her breast. As his thumb expertly kneaded her nipple, she softened and swiveled against him in response. He surprised her when he suddenly flipped her over, pinned her against the sofa, and straddled her.

While he pressed against her all hot and fired up, she ran her hands along his muscles and arched her back up to meet him.

"Thank you for helping me, Bobby," she uttered in a breathless voice.

"You're welcome, Elyse."

Coming up on one hand, he clasped the zipper of her jumpsuit between his free thumb and forefinger.

"As much as I love this jumpsuit," he whispered, "I'll love it better when it's off."

He drew the zipper down along her torso. Then he slipped his palm beneath the fabric and pushed it aside to caress her skin.

"Mm," he said between kisses, "so soft...so beautiful..."

A moment later, he slipped the jumpsuit away from her shoulders, all the way down to her waist.

"I could eat you up!" He dropped down and covered her in kisses.

Elyse lay back against the sofa, her body rocking with desire further stoked by the thought of working on
New York's Finest
. Aroused to ecstasy, she grabbed Bobby's hair and pulled his mouth to hers. Their passion erupted, and he gleefully ravaged her. With legs wrapped around his waist, she hung on for the ride.

* * * *

As Christmas approached, Elyse worked around the clock in makeup sessions. Even with a freelancer hired for the overflow, she carried the brunt of the bookings. She did her best to calmly embrace the busy days with a joyful outlook and keep the stress under control. After all, she was earning extra cash. Plus, she truly enjoyed helping ladies look their best. Whenever nonstop, back-to-back sessions threatened to overwhelm her, she'd take a deep breath and tell herself she was mastering her craft.

Three days before Christmas, Elyse had a rare break between appointments and decided to step outside for some air. She took the opportunity to run out for coffee at her favorite coffee shop.

As always, Eduardo greeted her with plenty of joviality.

"Hey, Elyse.
Feliz Navidad.
"

"Same to you, Eduardo. Busy these days?"

"Crazy! And you?"

"Same. Better get it while we can though, right?"

A lull in business gave Eduardo time to pull out his phone and share pictures of his baby daughter and son.

"I been putting together toys every night after they go to bed. Don't want to do it all on Christmas morning. My one day off I like to enjoy it, too, a little, you know? I even got my wife cooking that day 'stead of me!"

Elyse drank in how Eduardo glowed at the mention of his children. As always, his joyousness inspired her.

She suddenly realized she hadn't seen the copy guy, Keb, for a while, and wanted to wish him a Merry Christmas.

She paid for her coffee and also stuck a folded twenty-dollar bill inside Eduardo's palm.

"Wass this?"

"For you," Elyse answered grinning. "A small, very small token of my esteem--Merry Christmas!"

"Oh, no, Elyse--"

"Yes, Eduardo. It's a gift--you can't argue."

He shook his head.

"I'm a regular customer, Eddie--you can't say no. Use it for your kids if you want." She blew him a kiss. "
Feliz Navidad, amigo.
"

Eduardo laughed. "Merry Christmas to you, too, Elyse--and
gracias.
"

Elyse practically ran over to the copy shop.

Instead of Keb, however, a sturdy-looking young man with pink cheeks and sandy-colored hair was working behind the counter. When Elyse came in, he was busy multi-tasking. While he printed copies, rang sales, answered the phone, and placed callers on hold, Elyse looked around for Keb. She needed to know whether or not he was somewhere in the store--maybe back getting inventory, or in the office.

Jumping the line, she called over to the sandy-haired young man. "Hi, excuse me?"

He cast her a glance while closing a sale.

"Don't mean to bother you," she added quickly. "I just wondered if Keb was around."

"Nope, not here," he answered. "Went to the uptown store. Somebody's sick, or something. Had to go fill in."

"Oh. Is he coming back here, later?"

"I couldn't say for sure. Can I give him a message?"

"I just wanted to wish him a Merry Christmas, that's all. Haven't seen him for a while. I work across the street, at the Make-Up Place--Elyse."

BOOK: A Half Dozen Fools
8.02Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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