Free Music City by Leona Bryant

there’s plenty of food,” he held his hand out for a shake and then helped her out of the chair. “Oh, where are my manners? I’m Tracy.”
    Brandy smoothed her white ruffled blouse out anxiously and fumbled for her purse that was on the table, and then laughed nervously as she replied. “I know who you are, Tracy. I’m Brandy, Mila’s my best friend. I always help her when she performs. Well, I mean, I don’t actually help her sing, she does that all on her own, she’s so talented, don’t you think? But I help with her makeup and wardrobe and generally anything she needs. Thank you for coming over, but I’m fine right here, really. Your mother has made sure that we have anything we could ever need.” Brandy finally took a breath when she finished her rambling speech.
    Tracy smiled, he was intrigued by this nervous and yet very beautiful young lady. “Mila’s very talented, I agree. I think it’s very nice of you to help her like you do, but wouldn’t you like to meet some of the other folks here? Come on, let me introduce you around, Brandy.”
    Brandy bit her lip and then tugged the barrette out of her long dark curls, fluffing her hair as she did, then she tightened the multi-colored scarf that hung loosely around her hips and touched her teardrop earrings lightly.
    “You look fine, Brandy, very pretty, in fact. My sister Vani would die for hair like yours. Have you met her yet?”
    “No, I haven’t met your sister, but Mila tells me she’s one of the best agents in the business. Do you work for your mother’s company too, Tracy?”
    “No, I work for a private detective agency. In fact, one of my bosses is here, come on, I’ll introduce you to him first.”
    Brandy wasn’t sure she wanted to meet all of these people, but Tracy certainly was persuasive, not to mention mind-numbingly handsome, so she tentatively took his outstretched arm and let him lead her around the pool to the small group that was gathered near the bar. Tracy grinned at his sister and nodded to his new friend, “Vani, I don’t believe you’ve met Mila’s friend, Brandy? Brandy, this is my sister Vani, and this is my boss—well, one of my bosses, Derek.”
    Vani smiled and offered Brandy her hand, “Hi Brandy, it's very nice to meet you. Mila did a fantastic job, I’m very excited to have her on board.”
    Brandy smiled and blushed a little when she shook her hand. Vani had to be the most stunning woman she had ever seen in her life. Her long blonde hair was straightened perfectly, and even though the party started hours ago, there wasn’t a single strand of hair out of place on Vani’s head. She was intimidating in her four-inch heels and tailored dress that was a mixture of red and orange that Brandy just couldn’t put her finger on—it was a strong look. Brandy realized Vani was still looking at her, expecting a response, so she stammered, “Uh... Er... Oh, yes, she did. She's—we're so happy to be here.”
    Derek offered his hand, “It's nice to meet you, Brandy, it’s always a pleasure to meet a beautiful woman. I have to say, I was blown away by your friend's performance.”
    Brandy blushed, and then coughed to cut off a giggle. “It’s nice to meet you too.” She wondered briefly if there was any average looking people in Tracy’s life.
    Vani fingered the scarf that Brandy had around her hips, “Oh goodness, I just love this scarf, wherever did you find it?” Vani gushed.
    Brandy blushed as red as in the scarf. “Oh, um, I bought it at Goodwill.” She said as she put her head down to hide her embarrassment.
    Instead of the awkward silence Brandy was expecting, Vani said, “Oh my gosh, which one? I bet the one on Gallitan, they have some great stuff.”
    Brandy was floored. “Actually I picked it up at the one on Charlotte—you shop at Goodwill?”
    Vani laughed, “I shop everywhere.”
    Tracy added, “She drives us nuts if she sees a yard sale when we’re out driving, we have to stop if she even