Pitifully Ugly by Robin Alexander

Author:Robin Alexander [Alexander, Robin]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Tags: Fiction, General, ! Yes, Romance
ISBN: 9781935216216
Google: t8qiuAAACAAJ
Amazon: 193521621X
Publisher: Intaglio Publications
Published: 2010-12-01T02:40:15+00:00

Chapter 18

When in doubt—fake it.

The week went by like a blur. We shopped like madwomen,

and I had a new wardrobe consisting of three suits, three pairs

of slacks, and a few blouses. One of my suitcases alone was

filled with nothing but shoes. I might’ve been scared shitless, but

I looked like a million bucks. I hoped—and I think Kalen did,

too—that the finely tailored clothes would give me the appearance

of someone who had her crap together.

Hailey had not returned home, nor did she answer any of my

messages or calls. And being in Atlanta knowing that’s where she

lived and worked before she came to New Orleans made it worse.

I was constantly reminded of her.

Kalen had the room upgraded to a suite. Though she swore it

was only a nominal difference, I doubted it. Marvin and I had our

own rooms and a spacious area to lounge in when we weren’t at

the conference. I watched as he moved around the room touching

everything like a child.

“Look at this bar.” Marvin opened the glass doors to the

cabinet filled with liquor and crystal glasses. “This is a swank

place.”

I browsed through the itinerary as he poured a couple of club

sodas. “There’s a social at four. Do I have to go to that?” I asked

as he handed me a glass.

Marvin took a seat across from me on the sofa. He sat with

his forearms resting on his thighs and stared down at his drink.

11

Pitifully Ugly

“I have to be honest with you, Shannon. Kalen told me not to say

anything, but I think you need to know that she gave me very strict

instructions to make sure you were present for all events. You’re

the face of the company right now, and you have to mingle.”

She’d given me the same speech, but it still rankled me that

she’d given Marvin orders to enforce it.

“I know you’re shy,” Marvin continued. “So I was thinking

that I’d do most of the talking and kind of open things up for you

to step in when you’re comfortable.”

“Okay, but you have to promise not to leave my side because

the minute I find myself alone, I’m outta there.”

Marvin seemed relieved that I wasn’t bucking the idea. “Deal,

but be patient if I have to go to the bathroom.”

We ordered a late lunch and went over the itinerary. Drinks

that day, exhibition hall Saturday and half the day Sunday, and the

presentation would be given Sunday night before the conference

wrapped. Monday morning, I’d be on my way home, and that

couldn’t come soon enough.

“I know you’re dreading the exhibition hall as much as the

presentation, so I’ll try to make it easy on you,” Marvin said.

“Kalen said Angela doesn’t expect you to be in the booth the

whole time. Spend a couple of hours in the morning extolling the

virtues of their products, then you’re free for a few hours before

you come back in the afternoon.”

“I don’t know anything about their products except that we

use them and we get great discounts.”

“But I do,” Marvin said with a smile. “You’ll defer to me and

I’ll sing their praises.”

“I don’t know what we’re paying you for this yet, but did Kalen

offer you a bonus at least?” I asked, grateful for his company.

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