The Beautiful People by Michelle Gable

Author:Michelle Gable
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Graydon House Books
Published: 2024-02-06T18:59:44+00:00

* * *

Margo sat in a folding chair, her thighs sticking to the seat. She’d rather be helping than watching, because it would give her something to do. On the other hand, it was a million degrees, and at least she was in the shade.

“Hello, hello,” Lilly said, slipping in beside her. She tore off the SLIM AARONS sign formerly taped to the back of Margo’s chair. “Oh, honey, don’t let them confuse you for Slim. You’re far more attractive.” She balled up the paper and chucked it aside. “How fun is this? We’re in the audience today. Working girls getting their well-deserved time off!”

“Do you have any dresses in the show?” Margo asked, fanning her face with a program, hoping to wave away some vexation. She was still steamy, hot with frustration, despite the acknowledgment that Slim did make one or two decent points. She hated his wizened-old-professor act, especially because he was so damned good at it.

“No Lillys today,” Lilly said. “Not until I find a reliable fabric supplier. But my girls are modeling some children’s wear, so a few Pulitzers are on the clock.” She shifted in her seat, her long tresses tickling Margo’s shoulder each time she moved. “Oh, here come the models! Hell’s bells. They call those shift dresses?”

Margo rattled her head, trying to clear her mind of Dolly and focus on the model strutting past. She wore a black shirtdress festooned with hand-painted gold medallions.

“I think these are from Belk’s,” Lilly observed, her tone even, though not necessarily indifferent. A woman stopped in front of them and demonstrated how the club collar of her navy blue sheath could be worn up or down.

“A new twist on tennis whites!” the announcer declared when it was time for the sporty lines. The pieces were embroidered with gold and green flowers, and racquet bags bore jaunty slogans, like I’M SET! ARE YOU GAME? And Love 40. When it came to tennis, Margo preferred 40 Love, but supposed this wasn’t really about keeping score.

The show paused. A tiny, blond-bobbed girl peeped her head around a screen. A second head followed. It was Minnie and Liza Pulitzer, both wearing sunshiny yellow. Liza whispered in Minnie’s year, and Minnie whispered back. Margo couldn’t help but smile. The girls were plotting something.

A moment or two later, as the evening gowns lined up, the girls clasped hands. They bounded toward the runway, but someone reached out just in time, yanking them back. Margo recognized that arm. It was tanned, and ropy, and had a prowling panther tattoo. Minnie and Liza weren’t the only Pulitzers working, it seemed.

Grinning, Peter lovingly chided his daughters for their naughtiness, then squatted to retie Liza’s bows. The scene was so touching Margo’s bottom lip began to quiver. She snapped her head away, sending her sunglasses flying.

“Admiring my little monsters?” Lilly said, leaning down to retrieve Margo’s glasses.

“Oh. I. Uh,” she stuttered, unsure why his sweet act had thrown her for such a loop. “They’re just gorgeous!”

“They’re marvelous kids.

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