“Are you seeing him regularly?” Adele asked when Marni remained quiet.
“He’s doing the cover work for the new magazine. There were some things we had to work out.”
“Do you think youwillbe seeing him? Socially, that is? A photographer.” Marni could picture her mother pursing her lips. “I think you should remember that a man in a field like his is involved with many, many women, and glamorous ones at that. You’ll have to be careful.”
The “many, many women” Marni’s mother mentioned went along with the stereotype. Marni felt no threat on that score. Indeed, it was the least of her worries.
“Mother,” she sighed, “you’re getting a little ahead of yourself.”
“It doesn’t hurt to go into things with both eyes open.”
“I’vegotboth eyes open.”
“All right, all right, darling. You needn’t get riled up. I only called because I was concerned. I know incidents like that aren’t uncommon, but witnessing it on the street can be a traumatic experience for a woman.”
“It was traumatic for the victim. I’m okay.”
“Are you sure? You sound tired.”
“After a full day at the office, I am tired.”
“Well, I guess you have a right to that. I’ll let you rest, darling. Talk with you soon?”
“Uh-huh.” Marni had hung up then, but she’d spent a good part of the night brooding, so she was tired and unsettled when Web came to greet her at the reception area of the studio. His smile was warm and pleasure-filled, relaxing her somewhat, but he was quick to see that something was amiss.
“Nervous?” he asked her as he guided her into the studio.
“A little.”
“It’ll be easier this time.”
“I hope so.”
“Is … everything all right?”
“Everything’s fine.”
“Why won’t you look at me?”
She did then. “Better?”
He shook his head. “Smile for me.”
She did then. “Better?”
He gestured noncommittally, but she was looking beyond him again, so he didn’t speak. “See? It’s almost quiet here.”
Indeed it was. Anne, who appeared to be the only one present fromClass,waved to her from the other side of the room, where she was in conference with the makeup artist. Marni recognized the hairstylist and, more vaguely, several of Web’s assistants.
“Lee?” Web called out. A man turned from the group and, smiling, approached. “Lee, I’d like you to meet Marni. Formally. Marni, my brother, Lee.”
Marni’s smile was more genuine as she shook Lee’s warm hand. He was pleasant-looking, though nowhere near as handsome or tall as Web. Wearing a suit, minus its tie, he was more conservatively dressed than the other men in the room, but his easy way made up for the difference. Marni liked him instantly.
“I’m pleased to meet you, Lee. Web’s had only good things to say about you.”
Lee shot Web a conspiratorial glance. “I’d have to say the same about you. I’ve heard about nothing else for the past week.” He held up his hand. “Not that he’s telling everyone, mind you, but—” he winked “—I think the old man needs an outlet.”
Marni wondered just how much Lee knew, then realized that it didn’t matter. He was Web’s brother. The physical resemblance may have been negligible, but there was something deeper, an intangible quality the two men shared. She knew she’d trust Lee every bit as much as she trusted Web. Of course, trust wasn’t really the problem….
