Chapter 2

Sloane wasn’t sure if it was the drink which chipped away at her nerves, or if she had simply maxed out on anxiety. She kept her phone up for notifications. A large part of her hoped she would be canceled on and have an excuse to cuddle herself in her warm bed and binge Netflix all night, but the notification never came.

As the bartender sat another drink before her, another sudden chill cut up her legs. She tensed up but dared not turn around as dread flooded back through her veins. The lounge felt silent, short of a dull ringing deep in Sloane’s ear. She felt as though her heart fought to break out as her breaths shortened. Nausea built as sharp clicks and clacks against the tile floor rang louder as she felt another figure draw near.

“Oh, let me grab that,” a deep feminine voice cut in. Sloane watched through her periphery as a heavy credit card rattled on the bar beside her.

Sloane turned to her side and put on her best face.

“Oh my god, look at you!” the voice shrieked. “Finally, we finally meet in person!” She laughed loudly while she reached in for a warm hug.

“Lisa!” Sloane mirrored as she stood and wrapped her arms around her. Even shorter than she anticipated, Sloane looked down at the top of Lisa’s head as her face pushed into her chest. She carried a rich fragrance, a bit heavy if Sloane was honest, but awfully fitting of the character she had assigned to Lisa through their emails. “I can’t believe it!”

Lisa pulled back.

“Look at you! Look. At. You!” Lisa shouted. Sloane again felt her cheeks blush, having no idea how to respond to the gushing stranger next to her, hoping they weren’t making a scene in an uncomfortably upscale establishment. “You could be a model–and I MEAN it!” Lisa’s charm was immediately apparent.

“Oh my god, stop,” Sloane replied sheepishly, “you’re literally stunning!”

Sloane meant it. She glanced down to Lisa’s black pumps which gave way to sleek calves hugged by black nylon. Her figure was largely masked by a long puffy jacket, but Sloane admired the sleek lines of her neck which ran to her sharp jaw. She wore a thick burgundy lip under big brown eyes, and her straight and silky shoulder-length blonde hair perfectly framed her high cheekbones.

“Well, I don’t know about that, let me tell ya, it takes a lot more work when you get to be an old lady like me,” she smiled. “Come on! Let’s sit.”

As they settled at the bar, Sloane observed Lisa’s hands as they sparkled in the dim light, adorned with numerous rings and bracelets, colorful stones and metals she couldn’t identify but knew she envied. Her bony fingers showed more age than her face but were immaculately kept, with matte burgundy nails at their ends.

“A negroni for you as well, miss?” the bartender asked.

“No, no, no,” Lisa responded in near disgust, “do you have a scotch list?”

The bartender smiled and nodded as he turned away.

“I LOVE your nails,” Sloane started as she attempted to match Lisa’s warmth.

“Ah!” she shrieked as she placed her hands in front of her. “Thank you thank you! I’m trying to keep up with you young angels.”

“Oh, no,” Sloane responded, “Your look is immaculate. I’m very jealous.”

Sloane again quickly scanned her up and down as Lisa shifted into place in the seat next to her. Lisa’s job title and age alone implied a clear level of wealth, but the obvious care with which she took her appearance hammered it home. While charming and warm, she cast an intimidating shadow of power Sloane could not evade.

“And I’m sorry I’m so late,” Lisa brushed off the compliment as the bartender placed a small book in front of her. “Decades in this city and I still can't get the traffic down. I figured it would be a ghost town between holidays.”

“Oh,” Sloane laughed, “don’t worry at all. Work has been so busy, I kind of needed a moment. And a drink,” she chuckled.

“Well,” Lisa responded, “take it from me. Don’t be driving yourself crazy this early in your career. It’s a marathon. This city won’t pass up another opportunity to chew up and spit out another 20-something.”