Butterflies in Honey (Growing Pains #3)(38)

All sound stopped. She froze, they froze—it was like a house full of people realizing there was a burglar in the other room. Each party listened for the other’s movement.

Finally Marcus broke the silence. “Geegee?” He entered a second later.

“Marcus! A little privacy please?”

Marcus just laughed. “No need for the pillow shield, doll. Not interested. Now hurry up, I’m missing things. Put on the suit I picked out for you. Honestly, thank God for me, cause you have no taste.”

“Marcus, get out! I need to get ready.”

“I know. Hurry!”

Giving up on modesty, and being that Krista at least had on her undies, she jumped into the suit and dashed to the bathroom for hasty hair and makeup.

“I was wrong,” Marcus yelled, “you do have taste. That bra and panty set is chic!”

~*~*~*~

Marcus left a frantic Krista for the outer room where a calm receptionist and a nervous Sean were waiting.

“She’ll be ready in a jiff,” Marcus said as he sat into the couch and immediately lounged.

Sean looked over his notes. “Marcus, you’ll go down with her. Introduce her around. Help her network. I’ll follow with Janice. I want to keep distance between Krista and myself.”

“Are you sure that’s wise?” Marcus asked.

“There’ll be a lot of rumors about her and me. I don’t want to emphasize that by constantly being seen with her. Plus, when she has a chance to assess the situation on her own, she’ll choose the best path to the goal line. If I’m there she’ll just wait for me to lead.”

Marcus leaned forward with an incredulous expression. “Is the young stud admitting that he doesn’t know the best way to accomplish his giant list of achievements?”

“I know the best way—point it out to Krista and let her do all the hard work so I can walk in and collect the prize!” Sean grinned.

Marcus started laughing. “I’m going to tell her you said that.”

“I would tell her myself but she’d probably slug me.”

It was then that Krista walked out in a form fitting skirt suit that was classy, professional, and feminine.

“Sean? Shouldn’t you be downstairs?” Krista asked in a panic.

He smiled slowly and his eyes drifted down her body. “You look great.”

Krista’s face flushed as Marcus said, “All my doing. C’mon Geegee, we have people to meet.”

Krista groaned. “I hate people. I’m not a people person.”

~*~*~*~

Sean’s eyes followed her out with a look that could melt metal. It fried every thought in her head, which was why, halfway to the meeting room, she finally remembered her lack of tights.

“Crap! I have to go back.”

“Why?” Marcus said, grabbing her arm to keep her walking.

“I forgot tights.”

He glanced down. “It is too hot for tights, and you are too young for nylons, Geegee. You look good. You have nice, tan legs. Bare legs are best.”

“I’ll stand out, Marcus.”

“Geegee, you are a young, hot female. You are already going to stand out. And let me remind you, I am a hot, black, g*y male in middle America. I’ve got you beat.”

“I noticed you didn’t mention young…” Krista said with a snort.

“Shut up. Being a bitch doesn’t become you.”

Krista laughed as they rounded a corner and were immediately thrust into a group of mill-and-flocking professionals on their way into a large banquet room. Krista’s legs started tingling. “Oh my God. Who are all these people?” Krista said as her legs would no longer carry her forward.

“C’mon.” He plucked at her arm.

Krista hesitantly followed him, her fake smile probably looking like a grimace.

“Geegee, I have some great tidbits for you about your boys’ club, but if you don’t play the beautiful, egocentric upstart right now, I won’t tell you.”

Krista’s hands started to sweat. Not only were there a ton of people, but they were all older, experienced-looking men. Worse, they looked at her like an insignificant chick with a nice pair of legs. Obviously many of them didn’t think administrative personnel were people. It was like being transported back in time to the 1950’s.

“I think Doritos’s is calling my name,” Krista muttered. There were a million companies where women occupied some of the top positions. There was no reason she had to fight to be accepted in some backwoods empire that wasn’t progressing because the people that ran it were too happy with yesteryear.

But first, she had to get through the weekend. She’d make it through the weekend, bare the smirks and slights and sexist behavior, then leave Sean to his empire.

Krista allowed Marcus to lead her around, trying for an “I’m harmless” smile, and politely regarded everyone they came in contact with. It was then that Krista realized just how seriously backward the company was. She knew she was the only female manager—she didn’t know that Marcus was the only male administrative person. Not only that, but all the younger admin’s were pretty. Young, dumb, and pretty. The older gals were frumpy, probably underpaid, and not taken all that seriously.

Krista’s regard for the company plummeted even further. No wonder the guys in her office had a problem with her. Women in general weren’t taken seriously among the upper tier. Which meant Sean was in relatively the same boat. He’d promoted the woman. Everyone must think he was a schmuck!