AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Bite me, his reply.
“We’re involved in different sectors, but we work in the same building,” I finally conclude.
“And which sector is that?” Paul asks pointedly.
I grimace. It was only a matter of time. Up until this point he’d been stuck being talked at by Marmie, who is continuing to talk, either not noticing or not caring that Paul is ignoring her.
The question is meant to put me in a bind. I’m in customer acquisitions and account management, and there’s no reason for me to be here at this conference helping Rhett with the vague mission of “investing”. Fortunately, I already knew this question was going to come up.
“I’m a senior account manager,” I say. “Some of my clients are also interested in investing alongside Sloane, so I’m here to soak up some of the info to better relay it.”
“And I suppose that means I’m a Senior Sloane Manager,” Rhett cracks. “And I’ve got a lifetime of experience.”
Even Marie, who looks annoyed every time either of us speaks, cracks a small smile at that one.
Shortly after, our food arrives and everyone thankfully starts eating. Bill and Marie talk to Paul and Marmie while Rhett and I chat with Selina and Colton about the pros and cons of New York versus LA.
The Margos are easy to talk too, their conversational skills honed by a lifetime of talk shows and mixers. But as pleasant as they are, they aren’t the real target. I spend the first part of the dinner trying to get Bill and Marie involved in our conversation.
I don’t have a lot of luck.
While Bill throws the occasional comment our way, we might as well not exist at all to Marie. Every time I try to make eye contact, she looks right through me.
After an hour, the hall begins to clear out and we all stand, shaking hands and saying goodbyes, promising to keep an eye out for each other at the talks tomorrow and the auction fundraiser Saturday evening.
I make a special effort to worm myself beside Marie and offer my hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I say. “I hope we have another chance to talk.”
She bites her lip and looks at my hand distastefully. But out of propriety more than anything, she takes it and gives it a brief shake.
Marie turns without a word and starts to walk away. But then she hesitates and turns back to me.
“I’d like you to relay a message to Sloane,” Marie says.
I try to keep my face neutral. “A message?”
Marie ignores my feigned surprise. “Tell her ‘an e-mail’.”
“An e-mail,” I repeat, trying not to sound as dumb as I feel.
“An e-mail,” Marie says again. “An e-mail would have been a better way to ask me to transfer to her bank. Sending you was a big mistake.”
Fuck.
Quick on my feet, I keep my voice calm. No use denying anything now. “I assume she would have tried that if she thought it would have worked.”
“It would have gotten the same response and been extraordinarily less offensive. I find it distasteful beyond words that she sent you here.
“So, in addition, tell her that even though my husband is not dead, I am still losing him, and I want privacy. Not circling vultures.”
She leans toward me, eyes flashing. “I will never put my money in her bank. Especially if this is how she wants to conduct business.”
I start to speak, though to defend Sloane or myself I’m not sure. It’s pointless though. Marie whirls on her heel and walks across the conference room.
It’s hard to tell, but I think I might have caught a tear in her eye just as she turned away.
I stare after her, shell-shocked, until she catches up with Bill and Paul. Paul looks over her head and finds my eyes. He smiles nastily and then guides the pair out of the room.
