Page 71 of Marlowe Banks, Redesigned
Marlowe considered the suggestion, but it didn’t sit well. Despite yesterday’s convictions about aborting any relationship possibilities, now that she’d slept on the idea—and on a lot of other thoughts besides—she was far less certain.
“I think I’m too attached already,” she said.
“Fine, then secretly bang him for a few weeks and see how you feel after.”
Marlowe considered that idea, too. While it had more appeal than Cherry’s first suggestion, it didn’t sit well, either, and she doubted it would sit well with Angus.
“I think that would make me even more attached.” She pulled out a pink sateen jacket and compared it to her approved Pantone color chips. “I at least need to answer his text, but what do I say?I’m pretty sure I’m falling for you but could you make all of your fans think you’re going to marry Tanareve so they leave me alone?”
“Bad plan. It’ll only make them hate you more when new clickbait leaks.” Cherry held out two silk blouses, turned up her nose at both, and put them back. “How about asking him if you can borrow a car?”
Marlowe balked. “So I can take gross advantage of his wealth?”
Cherry pursed her lips. “So you can open up a conversation without leaping straight toI love you, I need you, but we’re doomed.” She nodded at the jacket Marlowe was examining. “It’s too peach. Lola will hate it.”
Marlowe put the jacket back, even though the color wassoclose to her sample.
“If she’s this particular, shouldn’t we be building custom?” she asked.
“We custom built for her last season. She even preapproved the fabric. Then she flipped out in her fitting, asking how we could’vedreamedher complexion would work in a color so vile.” Cherry rolled her eyes as she moved on to the next rack. “She demanded we rebuild her dress in aslightlybluer pink. We did it. Only had two days. Everyone worked around the clock. No point going through that again. Better to have multiple options on hand.”
Marlowe shook her head as she assessed the color of another jacket.
“This job is crazy,” she said.
“Yeah, but at least it’s interesting.”
With a nod of agreement, Marlowe helped Cherry search the store for pieces they could fit on Lola. As Cherry made the eventual purchase, Marlowe stepped outside and opened Angus’s text.Can I see you tonight? I need to return your spare house keys. Jeeves says it’s bad manners to keep them indefinitely.Winking emoticon. She loved that he wanted to see her again, even if she was really confused about how far to let things progress. After much debate, she opted for Cherry’s Start Casual plan.
Marlowe: Jeeves has no right to meddle
Angus didn’t reply right away so she checked her email. She had two messages from Yale. The first requested her student-loan payment. The other was from the alumni association, soliciting donations. The overlap in timing was ironic, but not uncommon.
Angus: Hey! You’re up!
Marlowe: Would’ve slept all day but I had to work
Angus: Egotistical actor demanding a personal jeans shopper?
Marlowe: Not far off, but swap the jeans for tepid pink separates
Angus: Lola, right? I heard she was back. How late are you working?
Marlowe: Until we find what we need, so around the time stores close
Angus: Can I still see you? Maybe at my place this time? It’s curse-free
Marlowe stared at the screen, torn between embracing whatever private time they could spend together and not wanting to make the situation harder. Then she worried she was broadcasting her indecisiveness by making Angus wait too long for a response.
Marlowe: Not sure I can make it
Angus: Conspiring with the yak?
Marlowe: I don’t have transit. My car died yesterday
Angus: My deepest sympathies. May her pungent odor rest in peace
Marlowe: She seems more like the haunting type. Maybe the zombies can use her
