Any Other Love by Elizabeth Barone

Author:Elizabeth Barone [Barone, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Maietta Ink
Published: 2017-08-20T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Armed with a notebook and pen that she’d bought at the convenience store, Charlotte strolled into the menu planning panel. The boots that she’d borrowed from Rowan went perfectly with the only semi-professional outfit she had with her: the same one she’d worn out with Amarie. She’d also stayed up half the damned night dying a natural-looking red over her lavender hair.

She was as professional as she was going to get.

Choosing a seat toward the back, Char settled in. Most of the women were seated up front, clustered together in groups. They could have their groups, Char mused, as long as they left her alone.

“Is someone sitting here?” a familiar voice with an English accent asked.

Char glanced up. She had to do a double take. Della—the leader of the panel from the day before—stood next to her expectantly. That didn’t surprise her. Panel leaders were professionals just like everyone else. It made sense that they would attend workshops when they weren’t teaching.

What surprised her were the tattoos that ran up and down Della’s arms—and the rose gold tint to her hair. The person standing in front of her was obviously the same woman, but she looked normal.

Not normal, Char amended. Della looked like someone that Char would hang out with.

“No,” Char said finally, grabbing her clutch from the seat. “All yours.”

“Thank you.” Della sat down and stretched her legs out in front of her. She wore plain old Chucks with her skinny, ripped jeans and white tee. “I’m used to walking everywhere, but damned if I haven’t been on my feet all day.”

Char nodded. “Plus, to be honest, Chucks are the worst.”

“They really are.” Della laughed, a throaty sound. She held out her hand. “I’m Della Marriott.”

“I know,” Char blurted. She shook Della’s hand. “I was at your panel yesterday. I’m Charlotte Butler.”

“Ah. I hope it wasn’t horrible.” Della tucked a strand of rose gold hair behind her ear. “I was asked pretty last minute. The original presenter got sick.”

Char grimaced. “I don’t know what I would’ve done. You did great, though.”

With a shrug, Della crossed her legs. One foot bounced a little as she spoke. “That’s kind of you. I was sweating my ass up there in that suit. And my hair was blue, but I had to go to an actual hairdresser and have her dye it a demure blonde. Couldn’t stand it.” She squinted at Char. “Didn’t you have pale purple hair yesterday?”

“I did, but everyone stared at me all day.” Char studied her. “This might sound weird, but I’m really glad you’re actually all tatted out. I feel a bit less like an outsider.”

Della smiled. “Yes, these things tend to get more catty than educational.” She waved a hand toward the front of the room. “But enough about them. Tell me about you. Where’s your place?”

“My place?” Charlotte’s eyebrows knit together.

“Your restaurant.”

“Oh.” She looked down at the notebook in her lap. “I don’t . . . I just work at a lounge.”

Della put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

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