“Now, there is one thing you have to remember about Dori,” I said.
“Please tell me she doesn’t have some weird celebrity quirk.”
“Worse,” I said.
She gave me an icy glare. “What?”
“You can’t ask her anything. You can’t look at the gown until it’s finished, and if you do, you’d better run.”
“Seriously? Is that it?”
“No, we’re hazing the new receptionist, Candy.’”
She bit her lip again to stifle her laughter, but I stared her down, and she couldn’t help it.
“Let’s get this over with,” she said, trying so hard to sound icy, but it wasn’t working.
“I got you,” I said when we walked up to the door.
“You did not,” she said, still grinning.
I pressed the doorbell, and it buzzed. “Yes, I did.” I opened the door for her, and we walked into the bare, white lobby where a young woman with a bubble of brown hair and cat eye glasses stared at us.
“Are you Candace?” I asked.
“Candy,” she said and got up to show us into the back office.
“Is that short for Candace?” I asked.
“No, it’s Candy.” She cracked the door open. “It’s him.”
“Don’t just stand there.” Dori’s short black bob streamed behind her when she rushed out from the door behind the desk and threw herself into my arms. “I’m glad you called. I’ve been getting so bored with these catty housewives. They all want go to the gala in couture.” As always, her style was simple, but elegant: a baggy white blouse and black slacks that flared out at the bottom and hid her curves. She took a step back to look over Maria. “And you must be the lucky woman.”
Maria blushed and nodded her head.
“Oh, don’t be shy, sweetie. I know you’ve heard of me, but I am still flesh and blood. Now.” She moved closer, moving her eyes like a tape measure. “Red and white, I assume?”
“Of course,” I said.
“Good, I’ve been saving the good stuff for somebody worth it. You have the perfect figure.”
“Thanks.” She was starstruck.
We started to walk in back to the designing room and were interrupted by the sound of Candy’s chair squeaking when she sat down. “Candy, go get me some coffee,” Dori said. “I’m gonna be up all night working on this thing. What do you guys want?”
“Iced black,” Maria said.
I leaned in to whisper. “Come on.”
She perked up. “No, never mind. I want an almond milk, caramel latte with two shots of espresso, cold but no ice.”
“Nice,” I whispered. “And Candace, I’ll get a double shot mocha frappuccino with caramel drizzle, and extra whipped cream, but don’t let it spill out the top.”
She shook her head at me. “Anything else?”
“You know what to get me,” Dori said and showed us into the office. When she shut the door and turned back, she gave me a look.
“What?” I asked.