She’s oblivious. It doesn’t surprise me, but it does piss me off. And she wants to seduce me.
I almost snort in derision and more amusement than a woman like Vallie would appreciate.
Vallie is focused on the camera. She lights up in front of it. I’ll admit, the camera loves her right back.
“Joss,” the photographer crows, “I love your intensity. Use it. Grab her.”
Vallie looks back up at me and for a moment I can see her annoyance because I had even a moment of attention. Then she’s wrapped around me even tighter and it makes me wonder if she can trace her lineage to an anaconda somewhere in the distant past. Or maybe something with suckers considering the way she’s clinging to me.
I have to fight my desire to shake her loose. It wouldn’t be easy with the way she’s attached herself to me though.
“I’m not giving up on getting you out for a night,” Vallie’s voice has an edge of determination. “But I’ll let it go this time.”
The way she says it makes it sound like she’s doing me a favor. As if I was desperate to go out with her and whoever is going to be fawning over her all night.
It sounds like a horrible way to spend a few hours even if I didn’t have a long ass day ahead of me tomorrow. I almost groan at the thought of tomorrow.
“You’ll have to tell me all about the freaks who go to those kinds of conventions,” Vallie titters and giggles.
Even though part of me is surprised she paid even a little bit of attention to what I’ve said about my job, I’m annoyed at the way she’s talking about people she doesn’t even know.
And I’m aware that I’m a hypocrite. But it’s kind of like having a sibling. It was that way with my little brother. I was allowed to make fun of him as much as I wanted, but if someone else dared to do that shit, I was going to rip into them and enjoy it immensely.
I feel the same way about the people at the conventions. Most of them are just living their life and enjoying what they can.
I take a deep breath and force myself to pretend like I actually want the woman in my arms. She’s the last woman I would want to be with, but I don’t think anyone looking at us from the outside would know it.
There is one thing to look forward to with the convention tomorrow. Maybe the chocolate lady will be there. She wasn’t at the last few events, but I’ve heard all about her and how delicious her creations are.
My mouth waters at the thought. I’ve always had a bit of a sweet tooth. And I can be very picky when it comes to chocolate. I’ve tasted it all over the world and I know what I like.
Maybe work tomorrow won’t be as bad as I’m expecting. A delicious snack certainly wouldn’t hurt.
CHAPTER 3
SYNDAL
It has been a day. Sure, it’s been a good one, but I’m exhausted. It takes a lot out of me to sell at my table all day. Being personable and excited about literally everything doesn’t come easily to me. I really have to get in a mindset of it not being about me or my embarrassment, it’s all about the customer and their experience with my treats.
I am my product in so many ways.
It’s a hard-won lesson which is why I’ve had to work up to doing as many events as I do. The first couple I did, I was a mess. I had no idea what to expect or what was going to happen. Then there was the fact that I had no idea what I would need.
I’m a little better prepared now, but I’m still a nervous wreck for a while before the event even happens and then the feeling stays with me for a few days after. I have three conventions pretty much back-to-back and this is the first one. It’s the first time I’m doing them so close together and I hope I haven’t screwed myself because of it.
I’ve created a schedule for the next two weeks; one I hope will mean I’m able to make a reasonable amount of treats and be ready for the next event. What do I even know? I’m sometimes surprised at what people buy at certain events and have completely missed the mark more than once before.
I nod at whatever the elf I just checked out is saying while forcing my smile to go even wider and brighten. Well, he’s not really an elf, but he’s fully committed to his cosplay, and I have to say he does make a damn good elf.
“I hope you enjoy the magic mushrooms,” I chirp before leaning in, “without the hallucinogenic effects, of course. They’re just chocolate.”
It’s probably the third time I’ve said it since he walked up to the table. I do not want anyone to think they’re going to be getting high off my chocolate supply. Calling them magic mushroom is just a marketing ploy. Nothing more.
I swear.
“I plan to enjoy them while sitting in my favorite copse of birch. I shall share them with nature.”
After flashing me a wide grin, he turns and melts into the crowd. As much as I hate to admit it, from a business standpoint, I’m glad the crowd has started to thin. I still have some things to sell, but I’m tired and could use a moment.
