“Are your morning babysitting duties complete?” Morgan glanced at her gold watch. “You’re almost late.”
“But I’m not late.” I didn’t even bother with a pleasant face. “And, yes, I safely delivered Celeste’s precious cargo to school. What does it say about our boss’s regard for me that she trusts me with the loves of her life?”
“That Celeste sees you as a free nanny?”
“If she trusts me with her children, then she can trust me with anything.” I tapped a nail to my chin. “Like an elite client or, I dunno, a promotion.”
“Sure. Uh-huh.” The woman Elton always referred to as various Disney movie villains snarled at my costume. “What’s with the pageant dress?”
“Just doing a test run for Hero Day.” My crown slid down the side of my long brown hair. “Which is tomorrow, of course.” I fixed the lopsided sash across my chest. “And the outfit works. What a productive morning already. But I’ll obviously be changing.”
“I’d hope.”
Morgan looked glamorous as ever. We both adored our boss Celeste and emulated her fashionable style. It was a daily competition between Morgan and me to see who could look the most glam, and today…I had lost.
Morgan was of the tall, slender breed of woman who was never without makeup and surely never got the theme days confused. “Good job on the album release party last night,” I told her.
“Thanks.” She glanced over my head as if it pained her to make eye contact with one so inferior. “Sorry you didn’t get the account, but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
“I’m sure you have.”
“Though the band kept me up late.” Her glossy pink lips opened in a small O as she faked a yawn. “Next week is the Coalminers’ party in Nashville. I’ve been invited, of course.”
“Great. I’m happy for you.”
I was not happy for her.
Morgan had joined the company six months before I had, yet you’d have thought it was a decade. She constantly acted like the elder PR person. “You probably don’t know this, Olivia, but…No doubt this is new territory for you, Olivia, but…” So obnoxious. The woman thought she’d invented PR and treated me like an intern.
“I shouldn’t tell you this,” I said, “but an inside source revealed a promotion announcement could be forthcoming.”
Morgan eyed the menu board. “Does this inside source wear braces and make you edit her ninth grade English essays?”
“Of course not.” But she had made me listen to her terrible techno rap the entire way to school last week.
“Well, your exciting exclusive isn’t news to me.” Morgan’s triumphant face clearly had been the recent recipient of Botox, as it barely moved. “I’ve heard whispers. It will probably go to someone experienced. Are you thinking of applying?” She asked this as if she didn’t already know the answer,andas if I’d be wasting my time if I tried.
“New York would be a great challenge.” I would give my left arm and favorite pair of stilettos to beat out Morgan.
“Do you really think you’re up for that challenge?” Morgan tossed her hair and dug out her wallet. “Your family’s here in Sugar Creek, and you seem so…settled.”
“Change requires sacrifice, right?” My smile was just as lethal as hers.
Morgan’s phone buzzed with a text. “Oh, looks like the Coalminers want to discuss extending their contract with Flair. Do I bring in the business or what?”
The barista grinned as I stepped to the counter. “Good morning, Ms. Olivia.”
“Rudy, how are you?”
“Very well.” He passed me a new punch card. “You want your usual?”
“Yes, please.”
“Macchiato with double shot of espresso coming right up.”
“Perfect.” I stuffed a few dollars in the tip jar and gazed out the wall of glass windows.
“Celeste says we’ll have a very special guest at our morning meeting.” Morgan stepped up to the counter and returned to reading the heavily scripted menu. “I bet I already know who it will be. Rudy, I’ll have my usual as well.”
