“Did he?” Ziggy’s fingers twitched at his side. As if he might have liked to punch something, or I don’t know what. But I could have used a hand to hold on to right about then.
“What’s up?” asked a deep voice.
In walked David Ferris with his arm slung around his wife Evelyn Ferris’s neck. Judging from the collection of shopping bags in his spare hand, they’d been out and about supporting the neighborhood businesses. They were a pretty hot looking couple, him with his dark hair and tattoos and her all blonde and curvy. I’d met a fair number of famous and important people over the years but they were impressive in their low-key rock’n’roll royalty cool way. Despite the sucky situation, Mom would be impressed when I told her. She was a big Stage Dive fan.
“Oh no,” said Evelyn. “They didn’t send something else?”
Ziggy stood straight and tall, even more on duty than before, if possible. “I’m afraid so.”
“We haven’t been properly introduced yet.” She held out her hand to me for shaking. “I’m Evelyn and this is my husband, David. I’ve been hoping we’d cross paths. Lena’s told me a lot about you.”
I managed a smile despite the weird feeling in the pit of my stomach. “I’m Mae. Hi.”
They both shook my hand, casting a couple of worried glances at the latest dreaded box of horrors. Sarah got back behind the reception desk and with a pair of plastic gloves on her hands, carried the box out back, out of sight. Can’t say I was sorry to see it go. Meanwhile, Ziggy and David gave each other the standard dude tipping chins in a manly fashion greeting. Guess they’d worked together a lot. Though Ziggy didn’t seem particularly relaxed around the couple. But then, it would be a professional relationship. Like what he had with me.
“We’re being watched,” said Ev, looking over her shoulder out the wide glass windows beside the front door. “Photographer across the street.”
David frowned. “Might be best to head upstairs.”
“Guess the paparazzi will be back in force when they hear about this.” I balled my hands up into fists. All of the old sensations of feeling powerless in this shitty situation swamped me. Yay for self-pity. And by yay, I mean boo.
“Listen.” She moved closer. “We’re having some friends over tonight and we’d love you to join us. Hopefully get your mind off all of this for a few hours. Say around eight?”
“That’s sweet of you, but I’m not sure I’m in the mood.”
“No, she’s right. You should come,” said David. “You’ll bring her, yeah, Ziggy?”
Ziggy just turned to me. “It’ll be safe,” he said.
Talk about being put on the spot. Best to give in with good grace. It wasn’t like I’d be doing anything else, apart from moping at home. Go, party girl me. “Sure. Why not? Thank you.”
CHAPTER FIVE
“Okay. I think I’m about ready.”
Ziggy looked up from where he sat on the couch with his cell in hand. And he just kind of stared.
“What?”
He swallowed.
“Ziggy?”
Still no response. Huh.
My Emporio Armani sleeveless white silk blouse with a cute asymmetric fold neckline, dark blue jeans, and Louboutin leopard print patent leather pumps with four-inch heels delighted me no end. I also wore diamond solitaire stud earrings and a Cartier diamond and stainless steel bracelet watch. My long dark hair was styled into a slick ponytail and glossy red lips and I was good to go wow some rock stars. Or at least make a solid attempt at keeping up with them and their wives. But I couldn’t tell what my bodyguard thought.
He slowly rose to his feet, gaze still stuck on me.
“Are you going to say something?” I asked.
“This what normally happens when you spend two hours in the bathroom?” His voice seemed rougher than normal. Also, this was another distinct break in the usual professional protocol. And I relished it even more than I did getting my greedy hands early on the new season’s heels and matching clutch. Another industry perk. “Sorry, miss. I shouldn’t have said that.”
I laughed. “You haven’t seen me done up before, have you? This is me as Mae Cooper, model. Pleased to meet you.”
He didn’t smile, but little crinkles appeared beside his eyes. Guess it was close enough.
“I don’t even look like her without a few hours’ worth of hair and makeup,” I said with a smile. “Much better than regular old Mae who slums around in old T-shirts with her hair in a messy bun, huh?”