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Kevin ignored Brian’s elbow in his side as he took a seat in front
of
Rowena’s large desk. He also tried to ignore Rowena’s long legs
as she
leaned on the desk, but that was a sight that was hard to miss.
Professional,
Kevin, he told himself silently. Stay professional.
“Actually, Rowena,” Martin was saying, oblivious to Kevin’s focus
problems, “I’d really like to start with one good reason why you shouldn’t
let us hold the concert.”
“I’m not the one that has to convince anyone,” she reminded him.
“You are.”
“Why should we have to convince you? Cashmir Park has hosted
concerts like this before. Why should this be any different?”
Rowena sighed and walked back behind her desk. Kevin wasn’t
sure whether he was relieved or disappointed that her legs disappeared
from
view as she sat down. He shook his head and tried to concentrate
on her
words. “Okay, Martin,” she was saying, “you’ve worked with us
long
enough, you probably should hear this story. But, do I have everyone’s
word that this doesn’t leave this office?”
Everyone nodded. “What’s wrong, Rowena?” Martin asked.
“Well ...” She sighed and ran a hand through her hair.
How much
should she tell? Half of the story would suffice, she decided.
“You
remember the ‘N Sync concert, from May?”
“Of course,” Martin said.
“A girl in the audience was trampled; one of her legs was crushed.
Her parents are suing us,” she said flatly. “It’s a goddamned
mess.”
“Suing you?” Brian asked. “Why you?”
Rowena shrugged. “Because we’re the easiest target, I suppose.
We
hired the security crew. I don’t know all the reasons ... I just
know that
we’re in danger of having to pay a substantial amount. It’s not
that I don’t
feel sorry for them -- I do -- but professionally, I wish it would
go away.”
Martin frowned. “I’m sorry that it happened, but what does
that
have to do with us?”
“Oh, really, now, Martin. Use your head. Are you going
to look me
in the eye and tell me that the exact same crowd *isn’t* going to be
out
there for this show?” She turned her attention to Kevin and Brian.
“My
objection isn’t to you guys, personally, I hope you realize that.
I just have
to worry about the company’s liability.”
“We understand,” Kevin said slowly. Brian nodded his agreement.
“So do I, Rowena, much as it might seem otherwise. Would
it help,
though, if we took full responsibility for security?”
“It would ...”
Kevin saw Brian’s eyes glaze over as Martin and Rowena began
hammering out details. He smothered a grin -- he was only half
listening,
himself. He knew why Martin had brought them along ... it was
probably
harder for Rowena to take a hard-nosed stance when two of the actual
performers were sitting right in front of her.
But, damn, it was hard for him to sit there and concentrate on
security details and crowd numbers when the top two buttons of Rowena’s
blouse were undone. He couldn’t help but notice ... usually,
he was much
better at concentrating on business details, but the fact that her
body had
been pressed against his less than twenty-four hours earlier kept popping
into his head. To make matters worse, the thoughts didn’t seem
to be
mutual. Aside from a small grin when they were introduced, Rowena
hadn’t spared him an extra glance. It was ... frustrating.
Suddenly, as the conversation began to wind down, the door to
Rowena’s office burst open. “Ro, you’ll never believe ... oh,
whoops.”
Kevin turned to see a young Hispanic woman in the doorway, blushing
furiously. “I didn’t mean to ...”
Her eyes widened when she spotted Kevin and Brian. Rowena
smiled. “Martin, Kevin, Brian, this is my intern, Lorraine.
What won’t I
believe, Lorri?”
“Oh, nothing, it will keep.” Suddenly, Lorraine smiled.
“The
charity concert, right? That’s why you guys are here?”
“Lorri ...”
“Okay, I’m going, I’m going.” With one last glance back,
she
walked out, a slight bounce in her step.
Rowena shrugged, grinning, as the men turned back to her.
“Well,
now I can’t say no to you guys. Once she tells her sister you
were here, the
entire state of North Carolina will know about the charity concert.”
They laughed. “Well, then, I wish she’d have come in earlier,”
Brian said. “No offense, Ms. Albright, but I’m beginning to remember
that
I didn’t have breakfast this morning.”
“Well, I think we’re done here. I won’t keep you from your
lunch
any longer. Thank you for coming, gentlemen ... I hope to see
you again.”
Was it Kevin’s imagination that she turned to him specifically
when
she said that? He wondered ...
