“He was. He died two years ago”, she just replied and sadness filled up her voice.

Shane bit her tongue.

“Shit… I’m sorry”, she just whispered uncomfortably.

“It’s okay”, Carmen smiled sympathetically and looked up at her.

And they stared at each other. And they were mere inches apart. And Carmen’s fingers were fiddling with Shane’s collar. And Shane clenched her fists, tightly, and held her breath. And Carmen smoothed down her shirt, smoothed down her perfectly knotted tie, and her hands lingered a bit more than necessary on Shane’s chest. She felt Shane’s heartbeat and that regular, rhythmical bump-bump-bump made her feel warm and for a second she felt like she was floating in the air.

“You look beautiful”, Shane whispered, almost against Carmen’s lips.

“And you’ll make a wonderful impression…”, Carmen replied, her eyes wandering on Shane’s mouth, “…Come on, let’s go”.

"Show me how you do that trick
The one that makes me scream" she said
"The one that makes me laugh" she said
And threw her arms around my neck
"Show me how you do it
And I promise you I promise that
I’ll run away with you
I’ll run away with you…”

“Miss Kennard, this is Shane McCutcheon”.

Carmen introduced Shane with a very professional tone and a smile that showed an absolute self-confidence.

Shane took a look around, at the huge office where steel and black leather details and colored flowers seemed to be everywhere, and then shook Tina Kennard’s hand.

Tina Kennard was the boss, and she knew it. It was all in the way she looked at Shane and in the way she smiled at her. She was like a predator – but a good one – on her prey, and she wanted her hunting to be successful.

“Very nice to meet you, Miss McCutcheon”, she said, politely but firmly, and tossed her blond hair back with a fluid movement of her head.

“Please, call me Shane”, Shane replied.

Tina smiled and nodded.

“Carmen, let me tell you that I’m very happy to have you here. The very presence of Shane confirms that you really are one of the best Account Managers around”.

Carmen half-smiled.

“Thank you, Tina”.

“Please, take a seat. I promise this meeting will be short and effective”, Kennard said.