“You look shell-shocked, boss lady.”
Kaylee shook her head to clear it, realizing Sandy had walked into the room and was staring at her out of puzzled eyes.
“What up?” Sandy asked when Kaylee didn’t respond right off.
“You’re not going to believe who I just talked to.”
“Mmm, that sounds interesting, especially since you’re still wearing that dazed look. So ante up. Who was it?”
Kaylee could barely contain her excitement. “Emily Austin.”
Sandy looked puzzled. “But you’ve talked to Emily before.”
“I know.” Kaylee’s grin consumed her features.
Sandy gestured with a hand. “You’re not making sense, girl. Tell me what she wanted.”
“She wants to fly down and meet with us.”
“And…” Sandy coaxed.
“I’m trying to keep a lid on my excitement, only you’re not helping.”
“Tell me what you’re trying to keep a lid on before I pee up one leg and down the other waiting.”
Kaylee rolled her eyes. “You’re crazy.”
“Details. Give me the details.”
“One of the French houses—she didn’t say which one—wants to do a show here. They hired Ford to spearhead it. Ergo, she wants our expertise and our models.”
“Oh, my gosh.”
“I know. It’s mind-boggling, isn’t it?”
“The purpose of the visit is to hash out the details.”
Kaylee blew out a breath. “I assume so.”
“What a coup.”
“I can’t help but wonder what made her tap us.”
Sandy made an unladylike snort. “You know the answer to that—we’re damn good. You’re damn good.”
“Sometimes I have my doubts, especially when I can’t seem to corral my girls.”
The fire went out of Sandy’s eyes. “I hate to put a damper on things, but now that you mention the girls—”
“Don’t tell me there’s been another uprising.”
“Not yet, but it’s brewing. I still don’t know what the hell is going on, but it’s ongoing, whatever it is.”
“Undercurrents, huh?”
“Oh, yeah. Big time.”
“Damn,” Kaylee muttered under her breath.
“But until one of them cracks, we won’t know.”
“If they mess up this deal with Ford, I’m going to personally strangle them. But I think they know that.”
“You’ll have to get behind me,” Sandy said through tight lips.
“Maybe by the time Emily gets here, whatever’s ailing them will be resolved.”
“I wish I could bet my booty on that.”
“Just keep me informed, okay?”
Sandy nodded.
“Do you have time to go over this mountain of photos?” Kaylee asked, switching the subject. “I feel like tossing them, but I’m afraid I might miss the next Cindy Crawford.”
“All the more reason to take a look-see.”
For the longest time they sorted through hundreds of photos from aspiring models. While the task appeared daunting, it wasn’t, as it took an expert only a split second to know whether the young face had potential or not.
“Sorry if I’m interrupting.”
Both women were so mired in the job at hand, they hadn’t realized they were no longer alone. But when Kaylee heard that low, sexy voice, her stomach bottomed out.
What was he doing here?
How had he gotten past the reception desk? Apparently Christy had stepped away to the restroom.
Sandy was the first to acknowledge Cutler, looking him over from head to toe. “May we help you?”
“Hope so,” he drawled, his gaze concentrated on Kaylee.
She managed to pull her scattered wits about her enough to properly introduce them.
Although Kaylee could see that curiosity was eating at her, Sandy held herself in check and peered at her watch. “Oops, I have a meeting. I’ll check in later.”
Once her assistant walked out, an awkward silence descended.
“Surprised to see me.” A flat statement.
Kaylee couldn’t bring herself to look Cutler in the eye for fear of what she would see there. Yesterday’s incident when he had deliberately turned and walked away as though repulsed by her lameness was too fresh in her mind.
She couldn’t bear to see that look, nor did she want to think about it. Why should she care what he thought?
Only, she did.
As though he could read her mind, he said, “Look at me, Kaylee.” A beat passed. “Please.”
Unwittingly she responded to the husky note in his voice and turned and faced him, but not before she lifted her chin a notch. That was when she noticed he had closed the distance between them. He was so close now that the clean smell of his cologne penetrated her senses.
Heady stuff.
Thank goodness an iron will and long years of keeping her emotions in check came to her rescue. She didn’t so much as move a muscle. She merely stood her ground.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you what?” She knew he could see through her stall tactic, but she didn’t care.
“Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”
“I didn’t think about it one way or the other.”
“Liar,” he whispered, his eyes delving deep into hers.
Kaylee’s breath stuck in her throat and for a moment she was indeed rattled.
“So how ’bout the truth?”
“Actually it’s none of your business,” she said without taking her eyes off him.
“What if I chose to make it my business?”
“Why would you do a fool thing like that?”
“Maybe because I find you damned attractive.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“Give me a chance and I’ll prove it.”
Her heart was going haywire. “How?”
“Have lunch with me.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Chicken.”
Her head bowed back. “It’s going to take more than lunch to convince me.”
“If that’s a challenge, then I’m more than up to it.”
“You have no idea what you’re getting into.”
“Did anyone ever tell you you