B004183M70 EBOK Read Online Free Page B

much I want to do and
see. I can't wait to go to the World's Fair. I've been too busy this week
settling into the new office, but maybe I'll go Saturday."
    Gloria nodded. "I'm happy for you.
I've lived here ever since I turned eighteen. I'm twenty-seven now. I consider
myself a New Yorker, but the city doesn't hold charm for me anymore," she
said in a world-weary voice. "Though I'll probably have to be at the
World's Fair. Suzie is introducing that new Ford, the Mustang, on
Saturday."
    "That's a plum job."
    "It is," Gloria confirmed.
"A lot of the other models are very jealous, especially Lola."
    "I know she's one of Ryan's, but I
haven't met her."
    "She's over there, the blonde standing
next to Norman Mailer."
    I saw a familiar-looking, beautiful woman
with enormous smoke-gray eyes who appeared to be a few years older than Suzie.
    "Lola was Ryan's number one model
until Suzie deviously pushed her aside and drove her to booze," Gloria
said. "Before you could blink, Suzie was the new star. Don't let all the
air kisses here tonight fool you. It's all an illusion. I'll bet Pierre gives the
guest list to the newspaper so they can print it in the society section,
furthering his reputation."
    "I guess everyone is out for
themselves."
    "You betcha. Suzie is also almost a
shoo-in for the next Breck Girl, a job Lola's had for two years. She's up for
contract renewal, and Lola will scratch Suzie's eyes out if Suzie takes that
Breck deal away from her."
    That's why Lola looked familiar. I'd seen
her in Breck ads. I decided right then never to use Breck shampoo again if
Suzie took over as model. "Suzie must keep you busy. Do you do makeup only
for her?"
    Gloria's mouth pursed. "No. I'd never
be able to cover my bills with what that blond she-cat pays me, when she pays
me. Since I make Suzie look good, I get a lot of referrals and requests from
other models, sometimes stars. I got called to do Bobby Vinton's makeup before
he went on "The Ed Sullivan Show" back in January."
    "Bobby Vinton! How thrilling!" I
almost squealed, but restrained myself. Then I flashed back to a night not long
ago when I shared a dance with Bradley to Bobby's song "Blue Velvet." I started to remember
how it felt to be so close to him, smell his lime aftershave, feel his strong
arm around my waist while his other hand held my hand. ... I drew myself up and
called myself to order. "Tell me about Bobby."
    "He was real nice," Gloria said,
one side of her mouth curving. "His regular makeup girl fell sick and
couldn't make it. Bobby cracked jokes with me the whole time and left me a big
tip. He's great."
    "That's too bad about his makeup girl,
but at least you had a neat opportunity."
    "Yeah." Gloria had turned her
attention to Suzie.
    My gaze followed hers. To my horror, I saw
Suzie reach up and kiss Bradley right under the small, crescent-shaped scar
under his left eye. The scar I constantly wanted to trace with my finger.
    Gloria grabbed my arm, forcing my attention
away from them. "Look, I know we just met, Bebe, but you seem like a
really nice person. Sweet, which is something you won't find much of in the
modeling biz. You said you love being a single girl in the city. Let me give
you some advice: Be a single girl in the city. Bradley Williams isn't the only
male around."
    I couldn't speak.
    Gloria shook her head. "A beautiful
girl like you— what are you, nineteen?"
    "I'm twenty-two."
    "You should be dating! Digging the
guys, having fun, going to nightclubs, shows, not pining over one man."
    "Yes, you're right," I said,
wondering what it would be like going out on the town with a cute guy like the
young actor. Shoot, he was leaving with a group of Broadway stars. I didn't
think Bradley would be taking me on a date anytime soon.
    "Uh-oh," Gloria said, pointing at
Pierre with her glass.
    I saw a dark expression mar his face. With
obvious anger, he had finished greeting guests and noticed Suzie and Bradley
close together.
    Luckily he was distracted by the arrival