Free Body Bags & Blarney by J.D. Shaw Page A

too.” Stephanie replied as she plucked a turkey and cheddar deli spiral
off a large platter. “Of course, everyone knows we’re not models because we’re
hanging out where the food is and we’re actually eating it.”
    Vivienne
giggled softly. “I can’t help it.” She snagged a cranberry baked Brie bite off a
nearby platter. “All that rushing around to close early today really built up
my appetite.” She popped it in her mouth and savored the combination of tart
and buttery goodness as she chewed.
    “Mine too.”
Stephanie smiled as one of the regular customers from the bakery complimented
her appearance. “Maybe I could even attract someone like Johnny Guido if I made
a habit of it?”
    Vivienne
looked across the crowded room where Johnny Guido and a burly man were standing
apart from everyone else. He was dressed in an expensive-looking tuxedo with
the front shirt unbuttoned down to reveal his hairless pectorals. Much like the
photograph, his dark hair was slicked back and he kept on a pair of
aviator-style sunglasses that shielded his eyes from everyone. He was flanked
by a rather large man with buzzed hair who kept a close watch on the room. He
wore a dark suit which accented his large upper body frame, dark tinted
sunglasses, and never cracked even a hint of a smile. “What’s with the
bodyguard?” Vivienne asked.
    Stephanie
shrugged. “I’m guessing he needs him in case any of his current girlfriends
should appear at the same function.”
    “Girlfriends
plural?” Vivienne raised an eyebrow.
    “I don’t think
any girlfriend has exclusive rights to him.” Stephanie sipped some of her mock
sangria. “Least of all, Alexis.”
    They both
looked across the room where Alexis was modeling some of the jewelry line. She
was dressed in a scarlet red cami dress that left very little to the
imagination when it came to her bust size. As she pranced around the room,
stopping to display some of the pieces of the collection, Johnny Guido motioned
to the bodyguard and whispered something into his ear. The man nodded and
exited the store.
    “Well, what do
you think of the party?” Kathy seemed relieved to finally greet some personal
friends to her party.
    “I’d say
you’re going to make a lot of money.” Vivienne raised her glass. “Here’s to
profits.”
    Kathy beamed
with pride. “From your lips to God’s ears.”
    “It’s all so
beautiful Miss Saunders.” Stephanie added. “I can’t believe how affordable
everything is going to be. Even with my budget, I can buy some nice pieces for
my wardrobe.”
    “That’s the
idea.” Kathy replied. “That treating yourself to something nice shouldn’t
require a small loan.”
    “So diamonds
aren’t a girl’s best friend anymore?” Vivienne teased.
    “Oh, they
still are.” Kathy corrected her. “But until a man comes along to bring them to
the party, you can still enjoy the festivities.”
    Harriet
Nettles waved to Vivienne and waltzed over with a piece of king cake in her
hand. “It must be my lucky day, I found a gold baby in my piece.”
    “You’ve just
won a twenty-five percent off coupon from Sweet Dreams Bakery.” Kathy smiled
back. “Congratulations.”
    “Thank you.”
Harriet beamed as he handed the little plastic trinket to Kathy. “Say, this
reminds me about that necklace Vivienne turned in the other night at the
library.”
    “Did someone
claim it?” Vivienne asked.
    “Yes, a man
came in and asked if anyone found a necklace.” Harriet replied. “He said it was
a family heirloom.”
    “That cheap
looking thing?” Kathy rolled her eyes. “You should have told him about tonight,
I could have hooked him up with something much nicer to replace it with.”
    “Who was the
man?” Vivienne wondered.
    “The poor man
who helped me with the microphone and ended up getting hurt.” Harriet recalled.
“Isn’t that something?”
    “I’d say he
used up all his bad and good luck at the same time.” Kathy gently