Malcolm followed the texted directions Marceline Anne sent him ten minutes ago. There was a lot of people there (he didn't miss that!) so he stayed out of the way until he spied her in a makeup chair, getting her hair curled.
He walked over to her and poked her back.
She eyed him in the mirror. "Hey."
"Hey."
She sipped her iced tea. "Was Michael upset to bring you?"
"No." He shook his head. "He said "hi" though."
"Tell him I said "hi" back."
"I'll let him know."
She stared at him, overjoyed to see him again but not knowing how or if to express it. "This is Karen. KayBee? This is Malcolm."
Karen took her glasses off and set them next to the book she'd put down when he came in. She stood from the white couch by craft services and came over to shake his hand. "Hi, I'm Karen Beecher."
"Malcolm Chang." Malcolm shook her hand. "Firm handshake."
"No one trusts a businessperson with a weak handshake." Karen repeated her mentor's words.
"Karen is like us but instead of being a doctor, she got a business degree. She runs her mom's store, Brooke's Holistic Shoppe." Marceline Anne bragged about her bestie. "She's got a great head for business and finished first in her class at Harvard's School of Business. She's going back for her doctorate and she's looking to expand her mom's shop. She also works at Rose's By the Dozen after cheer practice."
Malcolm was impressed. "Wow."
Karen ducked her head. "EmJay is my biggest supporter. She gave me a job when no one else would. She's really great."
"You're really great!" Marceline Anne yelled.
Malcolm smiled. "What's Rose's By the Dozen?"
"Her mom's flower shops." Karen slid a look towards her friend.
He nodded. "What is this a campaign for?"
"A catalog for a boutique." Karen loved the clothes.
"Are you in it alone?"
"No but I'm the last to get my pictures taken." Marceline Anne answered. "I want you to meet Mercy's friend, Santana. She's a blast but don't pay attention to anything that comes out of her mouth."
Santana narrowed her eyes.
"It's nice to meet you." Malcolm reached out a hand with a smile.
She shook his hand before walking around him slowly. "For a twerp, you're mighty hot."
He blushed immediately.
"Stop it, Tana!" Mercedes Catherine chastised. "He's going to fall out."
"No, I'm fine, Mercedes Catherine. I was just taken off guard."
"See, Wheezy?" Santana snarked. "He's fine."
"You better be good." Mercedes Catherine jabbed a finger in her direction before hugging Malcolm.
He was shocked. He didn't receive many hugs but this one was great. He felt warm and protected. He sank into it and didn't want to let go.
She rubbed his strong back. "Aww! You're a hugger?"
He realized he should let her go so he backed away. "Not really."
She cupped his chin and made kissy faces at him.
YOU ARE READING
Morphine
Romansa"I can feel you; just like a drug..." Marceline Anne Taylor-Jones is what one would call a bad girl. She does what she wants when she wants because she wants. Malcolm Chang is what one would call a good boy. He follows the rules and does what's requ...
