When Love’s In Fashion

“I’m gonna do it for free because… I don’t know… I feel like it. Might be the last time I can do this because I just wanna.”

“Whatever. Babes at the bar. See you later?”

“Yeah.”

*****

Elmira waited impatiently for Cliff on Monday and was surprised when she was escorted to another office instead. Apparently Cliff’s boss wanted to see her. She didn’t know what to think about that but followed the assistant to his office, straightening out her Reformation Avalon Bodysuit, tightly laced because this was a business meeting. The assistant let her step into the room before introducing her to perhaps the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. She heard the name ‘Sven Marcel’ but there was mostly just ringing in her ears. The man smiled at her, his gray eyes open and friendly. And with that shaggy brown hair he might have looked like just another innocent college student except his suit was Armani; he was the CEO of Boston Consulting and behind the open friendliness in his eyes was a hint of calculation that Elmira did not miss. She felt her lips widen in a smile, which was a relief. At least her body had sense memory on how to behave like a human being because she was drowning here.

Sven indicated the chair in front of her and bade her sit before he put the contract in front of her. Elmira checked for the changed clauses and signed. They stood up, and Sven handed her an envelope and a folder.

 “There’s info about your fashion week itinerary, and getting an ID as well as an advance. Will you have a drink with me to celebrate?”

“Now?”

Sven indicated the side board, “I have champagne.”

Elmira turned to look, “Really? Never really had that in the middle of the day before.”

Sven stepped to the makeshift bar, “Well we’re about to change that.” He said pouring a drink into two glasses. He handed her one, they toasted each other, and drank.
And then Sven was kissing her, his hands on either side of Elmira’s face, his lips pressed softly against Elmira’s, his tongue, god, his tongue, pushing for entrance and Elmira met him halfway. Their bodies pressed close together. Sven pulled back first, flushed. “I’ve wanted to do that since I saw you.”

“Oh really? Like five minutes ago?”

“Actually I saw you at the Miu Miu spring/summer show; someone was trying to get you to give up your place for some starlet running late. You stood your ground. I knew we had to have you right away.”

“So that you could be my boss and sexually harass me? Kinky.”

Sven seemed to get flustered. “It’s that sense of humor…bleeds into your writing. I love it. I would have introduced myself sooner but I didn’t want to influence your decision.”
Elmira laughed, pecking Sven’s cheek. “You’re good, but no one’s good enough to make me do this for a kiss.”

“Oh.”

“But the sexual harassment thing?”

Sven looked like all the blood had drained out of his face. “Yeah?”

“Keep it up. I like it.” She nodded and left. “I’ll be back on the first to start work.”

“Do you know what your work schedule’s gonna look like?”

“Why? You planning on stalking me?” Elmira was walking backwards down the hall and Sven tilted his head as if considering it.

“I’m your boss. I have a right to ask.”

“Oooh, I love it that you’re going all Mr. Control on me. Gives me goose bumps.” Elmira was smiling lasciviously.

Sven rolled his eyes and turned to his office. Elmira laughed, turned around, and met Sascha outside. “Met the big boss. I think he likes me. This is gonna be fun.”

“Girl! Girl! You can’t fu*k the guy who writes the checks.”

“I didn’t say I was gonna fu*k him. I haven’t decided yet. Let’s go buy beds so if I do decide to fu*k him into the mattress, I have one to fu*k him into.”

“I want to be on record as against this.”

“We’re not Tau Alpha’s anymore. We don’t have house meetings and records.”

“Tau Alpha till I die isn’t that what we made them repeat a hundred times a night for two weeks.”

“Yeah, but your system is supposed to be cleared of the Kool-Aid.”

“Whatever. It’s still a bad idea.”

“So is everything I do, but it always manages to work out.”

“For you, but there is always collateral damage.”

“I promise I won’t rope you into this.”

Sascha followed the GPS directions and didn’t say another word about it.