FOOL ME TWICE

“He’s here.”

The sparkle in Mel’s eyes should’ve clued her in, but it was still morning and she wasn’t a morning person. As a rule, she tried to ignore any and all sparkles until after lunch. “Who’s here?”

In one smooth motion, the women in the elevator pivoted toward her, their mouths dropping open like a school of big mouth bass. They acted as though she’d questioned God’s existence, the healing attributes of chocolate, and the necessity to carry a makeup bag all in one two-word sentence. “What? What’d I say?” She shrugged at the others who twitched the corner of their mouths in identical sneers, and turned their backs on her in disgust.

Mel, looking as shocked as the others, yanked her closer. “He’s here. Wake up. You know who I’m talking about. Why else would all these bitches be headed to the top floor?”

She glanced again at her fellow passengers -- belatedly noting the lack of any person with a penis between their legs -- with their gazes locked on the lighted bar above them, tracking the numbers as they climbed from the lobby to the twenty-third floor. The Executive Floor. The floor where the Great and Powerful made business deals involving gazillions of dollars and charted the company to ever-increasing profits. The floor where Brandon Barton’s office was located. Or as some of the women in the company liked to call it -- Hunk Haven.

“You’re totally hopeless.” Mel shot her an exasperated look and rolled her eyes. Jane knew her friend expected more, wanted her to get as excited as she was, but she simply couldn’t. After all, when competing against the beautiful, thin women standing in front of her, what chance would a chubby brunette have? Answer: no chance in Hell. Nada. Nothing. Which, she reasoned, begged the question -- why try?

The elevator doors slid open and one after another of the femme fatales swayed into the lobby area of the penthouse office space. With a not-very-discreet glance toward his office, one after another of these college educated women got down to the real business of their day -- taking up sentinel right outside his door.

Jane kept her scowl hidden. Sheesh. They’re all huddled together, waiting to pounce on Brandon, er, Mr. Barton. As if they couldn’t spread out in the three thousand square foot office space of the penthouse floor. She followed them a few feet before turning to the left, and headed toward her desk in front of Mr. Weltman’s office. At least she had a real reason to be here.

“Come on.” Mel gave a couple of sideways nods toward Mr. Barton’s office.

Slumping into her creaky chair, Jane frowned at her friend. “What for? He rarely comes out before everyone else goes home.” She glanced at the bimbos pretending to work while surreptitiously searching for any sign of the great man. “Besides, I don’t have the equipment the competition has. My boobs may not be much, but they’re not silicone and they’re all mine. Not to mention, unlike those stick women, I have curves like a normal woman has. These girls probably spend their free time in either the plastic surgeon’s office, or throwing up in the bathroom.”

FOOL YOU TWICE

“Damn it, Jane, I don’t have time for games. How can Brandon turn into Charlie?” “I mean Brandon physically transformed his appearance into Charlie. He was Brandon underneath Charlie’s exterior.” Jane sat back as though she’d explained everything perfectly.

“Wow.” Mel blew out an exaggerated breath. “You really don’t want to tell me the truth, huh? To make up such a fantastic lie just to get out of revealing this huge secret you profess to have is frickin’ amazing. If I had time to waste, I’d ask to see the genie Brandon commanded to change him into Charlie.” If Jane kept up this ruse, she’d end up losing her temper big time. The only thing she couldn’t figure out was why Jane would treat her so miserably?

“I’m not making anything up, Mel. The necklace, which was the same necklace on both men because both men were the same man, is a magical necklace. Anyone wearing the necklace can change their appearance.”

She was dumbstruck. Not because she believed Jane, but because her best friend kept lying to her. “Okay, I get it. You don’t want to help me.” She stood, snatching up her purse as she rose. “You don’t have to go on and I won’t ask you again. But if you were in trouble, you know I’d do anything for you. I sure as hell wouldn’t make up some stupid story to put you off.” Without waiting for a response, she swiveled and started for the front door.

“Please, Mel, you have to believe me. I’m telling you the truth.” Jane hurried behind her. “I swear on my mother’s grave.” Mel whirled on her. “You’re mother’s not dead.”

Jane’s mischievous grin spread over her face. “Yeah, I know. But I got you to stop.”

“Not for long.” Mel turned on her heel, but Jane was faster.

“Move in with Brandon and me. I mean, you need someplace to stay other than all alone in your old apartment, so move in here awhile. Use my clothes to change and, while you’re gone to pick up a few things, I’ll get the necklace from Brandon, along with his permission, to let you borrow it for a little while.”

What is she up to? She did need a place to stay and she hadn’t even thought about holding up in her old apartment. “You’ll have this necklace ready for me to try? Not that I believe your wild tale, of course.”

Jane’s grin grew bigger. “Oh, but you will, Mel. You will.”