I grab a cup and make my way to the patio where Kemp is talking with an attractive short-haired woman.
He extends his hand and we shake. “I’m feeling last night,” he admits.
Laughing, “I’m right there with you, bro.”
“Catherine Wilpont, Hale Lundström.” Kemp takes care of the introductions. “Catherine is VP of Marketing for Barrington Pharmaceuticals and Hale is…”
She cuts him off, smiling at me, “Yes, I know who Hale is. I’ve been following your company for quite a while now. I like to keep track of New England natives.”
“Where are you from?”
“I grew up in Connecticut, but went to school in Boston. You’re an MIT guy, right?”
Clearly she’s read up on me. “For a short while, and then I joined the armed services.”
“What an interesting path. I was boring. Four straight years at Harvard and then on to Penn for my MBA.”
She just had to namedrop the schools as if I’m going to be impressed or find her more attractive.
Hearing a ruckus, I turn around and there is Sierra with two women, two very loud women. I recognize them from the picture in Sierra’s house. These are the two she is laughing with in the photo.
Kemp lets out a chuckle, “Two of the quieter members of my staff have arrived. Excuse me.”
Left with Catherine on the patio is not where I want to be. She’s a space invader, standing closer to me than I’d like.
“I think I need a refill,” I gesture with my coffee cup.
Sierra’s back is to me as I walk through the French doors. The turquoise skirt and the Louboutins. She is killing me and it’s not even 8 A.M. yet. Coming up close behind her, I lean down and whisper, “Sleep well?”
Turning, she smiles up at me, “Yes, my bed was very comfortable.” She emphasizes the words, my bed, and I wonder if she’s giving me a message about checking up on her. “I could, however, use about another six hours sleep.”
She’s wearing the necklace, and without thinking, I reach down and let the chain slip through my fingers. “I love the outfit,” I say, loud enough for only her to hear.
“Me too,” she smiles.
“Catherine,” Sierra’s friend calls out to the pharmaceutical lady and I’m brought back to Bungalow 4 from wherever I momentarily just went with Sierra. “Catherine, let me introduce you to my boss, Sierra Stone,” the beautiful mocha-skinned woman announces.
“So nice to meet you. Beverly has told me so much about you and the innovative programs you’ve been running.” Sierra touches my arm, “Have you met Hale Lundström yet?”
“Yes, we met a few minutes ago out on the patio.” Catherine starts to move close to me again, but Beverly seems to have her own agenda.
“How come you are not my client? Don’t you have a Los Angeles office? Everyone has a Los Angeles office.” Taking my arm, she steers me away from Catherine to an auburn-haired cutie who is holding court. I recognize this woman as the third person in the photo in Sierra’s house.
“Monica, look who I found,” Beverly announces to the other woman.
Gasping, “You really are gorgeous.” And she latches onto my other arm. “You know, you really should not be with that New York team. We are so much more qualified and creative. You should be working with us. And wouldn’t you rather be working with Sierra than Susan? She dresses like a man.” Monica finally takes a breath. “Let’s get Kemp over here and do the deal. Kemp, why isn’t he our client? Who do you even have him stuck with, that Robyn girl?”
And out of the blue, Bob Mannon appears, “Who mentioned Robyn? Now, she’s a favorite of mine. So talented.”
“He’s her mentor,” Monica whispers to me, choking.
“Talented at what?” Beverly has the skills of a ventriloquist. I swear her mouth didn’t move.
Choking on a sip of coffee, the two of them look at me like we’re sharing a secret. “So, aren’t you enjoying working with Sierra?” Monica asks, but doesn’t wait for an answer. “She’s so brilliant. You’re really lucky to have her.”
“Yes, I am lucky,” I concur and the look on Monica’s face is saying, “Don’t fuck with her, buddy.”
By 8:30 A.M. the bungalow is filled with clients and staff as we finish off our breakfast and they break us up into groups of five and usher us off into two limousines.
Catherine has successfully taken on the role of my shadow and settles into the seat next to me in the back of the limo. Kemp