Page 13 of Her Dark Melody
Ebony didn’t even need to look around. The place was easily the nicest venue she’d ever been in. “No. It all looks fantastic. Just make sure the jazz drummer has a screen, please.” She elaborated at Felicity’s confused look. “The plastic cage you see around them sometimes. Helps avoid drowning out quieter instruments, and my voice. It’s not standard use in jazz, but at rehearsal this morning the drummer requestedone.”
Felicity made a note on her phone. “I’ll take care of it,” she promised. “Mr. Tigri also said you might want a new outfit for tonight. Because it’s special, he asked me to tell youspecifically.”
For one second Ebony found herself offended at the suggestion that she didn’t have the right outfit for this upscale joint, and then Atlas’ ‘because it’s special’ hit home and she realized he was flirting with her. Through his unwitting assistant, noless.
“I love dress shopping,” Felicity confided with a shy smile. “Especially with no budget. I’d be happy to help you pick out something. Mr. Tigri told me to take the day to help and to warn you to spare noexpense.”
Ebony smiled. “He said that, did he? Well, all right, then. Take me to your favorite place,Felicity.”
Standing in the exclusive boutique a short while later, Ebony’s eyes widened at the designer clothes. “This is toomuch.”
Felicity laughed. “Not at all. Now, what’s youraesthetic?”
Ebony hesitated then said. “I’m a retro girl. I love anything from the Twenties, Thirties orForties.”
Felicity nodded. “Then we’re in the right place. Carmen is one of Seattle’s up and coming designers, and she loves anything retro. This is going to beamazing…”
Over the next hour, they talked with the designer herself, who brought out several pieces that Ebony almost swooned over. Eventually, she chose a form-fitting gold dress which skimmed her curves and looked sensational against her dark skin. Felicity then took her to a beauty salon where they worked on her hair, shaping it into pin curls around her face. Ebony had to admit – she didn’t recognize the stunning woman in themirror.
“Now,” Felicity said, “Underwear?”
Ebony flushed. “Um…”
Felicity grinned impishly. “Top to toe was what Mr. Tigri suggested, but only if you wanted it. He’s not trying to Eliza Doolittle you – hiswords.”
New, sexy underwear was definitely appealing, but Ebony felt awkward. “On one condition…I’m allowed to pay for my ownunderwear.”
“Entirely up toyou.”
They went to a small boutique, and Ebony picked up some sultry, dark red underwear that cost way too much for something that just might end up shredded in three seconds. But God, she hoped it did end up in pieces on the floor. It’d be worth the expense. Every cent ofit.
“Good choice.” Felicity approved, then smiled. “Okay,lunch?”
Ebony enjoyed Felicity’s company at lunch, getting to know the young woman. “How long have you worked forAtlas?”
“Five years,” Felicity said, her mouth full of sandwich, “he recruited me as an intern – a paid intern at that – and after his long-time secretary left, I became his assistant. I think he likes me because I’m not star struck by him. I tell him thetruth.”
Ebony smiled. “I get that about him. He’s a goodguy.”
“He really is.” Felicity studied Ebony. “He told me you come from Seattleoriginally?”
Ebony nodded. “Born and bred. I moved away from Seattle when my brother moved to New Orleans. Serendipitously, it turned out, because the Foundation who mentored me and my career is basedthere.”
Felicity nodded. “My girlfriend’s brother is involved with them too. BenFaldo.”
“I know Ben, he’s a wonderful musician and a sweetguy.”
Felicity beamed. “He is, thankyou.”
Ebony decided she liked Felicity very much and after Felicity dropped her back at the venue, she gave her cell phone number to her. “In case you want to go for drinkssometime.”
Felicity grinned. “Would love to. Knock them deadtonight.”
“You’re notcoming?”
“Sadly, not this time, I have a family thing, but I have no doubt you’ll rockit.”
Ebony hungher performance dress up behind the door of her dressing room and, covering her hair with a cap carefully, stepped into the shower. She wasn’t sure if all dressing rooms had showers, but it sure was convenient. She scrubbed off, shaved, massaged moisturizer oil into every part of her body, then slipped her new underwear on. The oil had a gold shimmer to it which made her dark skin glow, and the dark red underwear was the perfect color for her. She slipped her day dress back on, not wanting to get her performance dress rumpled – it was a couple of hours until she wason.
