Authors' Note: A huge round of thanks and hugs to all our wonderful reviewers. Many thanks for to everyone else for sticking with us and being patient with our recent dry spell. We hope this has changed and we aim for regular updates from now on (though regular doesn't mean daily, so keep your pants on!)

Anyway, we hope you enjoy this update and we look forward to hearing your comments! Now, on with the story!

Chapter 20: El Tango de Ronald

"Come on, Max, I promise this is going to be great," Kendra enthused as she dragged the brunette towards one of her favorite haunts. "It's clean, it's friendly and you won't get ogled by freaks. Win-win, right?"

"Kendra, seriously, I can handle doing my own hair and make-up for a party," Max protested for the hundredth time. Like all her other attempts to object, it seemed to roll off the bubbly blonde's back like water. Kendra had steamrollered every single argument Max had come up with, poking and prodding her into the car and leaving the brunette wondering exactly who was supposed to be the secretary out of the two of them.

Wasn't Kendra supposed to do what she said? She could have sworn that was part of the job description for a personal assistant…

Then again, to Kendra's way of thinking, she was assisting. The pair had already ploughed through almost every dress store in Seattle in search of the perfect last-minute gown and shoes. Now Kendra had decided that Max needed to be pampered and professionally primped before she was unleashed upon an unsuspecting public and the X5 had somehow found herself helpless against the tide.

Why wasn't she running in the other direction again? Oh right. The girly arts, of which she was in dire need if she didn't want to show up and get berated by her employer for not looking perfect, were not her forte. Besides, after the previous day's therapy debacle, Max felt a bit entitled to some pampering and relaxation, particularly as she would have to spend an entire night making (painfully dull) small talk with her boss and other business acquaintance.

I could kill Normal, right? Max thought wistfully. Really, who would miss him?

Well, her bank account would miss him. Okay, bossicide bad.

Kendra hauled her through the front door of a salon that had "Sadie's" emblazoned across the glass in neon pink that matched the hair color of the woman who stuck her head out from behind a privacy curtain towards the back.

"Kendra baby!" the woman enthused in a shrill tone that made Max's left eye twitch. "Come here, girl, and give Sadie some sugar!"

That's Sadie? Max thought, her expectations suddenly circling the drain as she stared at the… colorful…and rather full-bosomed woman embracing Kendra like a bubblegum-flavored Betty Boop. Oh brother… Knowing her luck, she would walk out with a rainbow bob and green skin.

"Sadie, this is Max," Kendra said happily, pulling her friend forward by the elbow. "We're getting the works."

"Oh, sweetie, I have just the thing to turn that frown upside down," Sadie said after taking one look at Max's pinched expression. "Come with me. I just need a few minutes to heat up the wax and we can get started."

Sadie bustled the pair into a curtained cubicle with a massage table squarely in the centre and flashed a smile at Kendra before leaving them alone just as quickly.

"Kendra, where the hell have you brought me?" Max asked with a voice full of dread.

"A beauty parlor," Kendra said matter-of-factly. "Trust me, Sadie's the best. She'll do anything you want. Now stop pouting before your face freezes like that. You've been pissed off since yesterday. Don't you think you should give it a rest?"

Max muttered something under her breath that might have been a grudging agreement.

Kendra was right. She had been fuming almost continually since escaping that lunatic psychologist's office. Most of the Sutherlands' employee roster had spent the rest of their Friday avoiding Hurricane Max lest she blow in their direction. Only Sam and Kendra had been game to come near her and the irritated RSD had eventually told her to get over it and spare him the melodrama.

Sadie quickly reappeared and handed Kendra a sealed, unmarked cardboard box with a wink before ducking out again. The blonde gasped and grinned like she'd just woken up to discover Christmas had come early, snatching the box excitedly.

"Thank you!" she said emphatically, licking her lips.

Max glanced at the nondescript package and then at Kendra. "You got a mail box here or something?"

"Oh, Sadie runs a goody shop out the back," Kendra replied airily.

Max blinked. "A goody shop?" she repeated, feeling a little stupid for doing so when Kendra laughed.

"Come on, Max, don't tell me you've never visited a specialty store," the blonde teased, leaning in conspiratorially.

"Your friend-slash-beautician doubles as your sex toy supplier?" Max murmured to Kendra, who looked far too relaxed about the whole thing.

"Doesn't Alec work for Cindy?" Kendra asked innocently.

"He's not a sex toy," Max muttered, coloring slightly at the thought.

"But he could be," Kendra replied knowingly. "I think he'd be very willing to play with you."

Max chose to ignore that remark.

"Does Walter know you have that stuff?" she asked instead, torn between curiosity and embarrassment.

"Babe, he bought half of it," Kendra snickered. "A girl has needs, after all, and Mister Multiples works long hours some nights. Let's just say I have more than a few friends hidden around the apartment that come out to play while the cat's away… and sometimes when he asks real nice."

Muffled male laughter drew the attention of both women.

"Hey, quiet in the peanut gallery," Kendra called over her shoulder though she didn't sound terribly offended. In fact, she looked tempted to join in. She pushed the fabric barrier aside in hopes of finding out who was listening in.

"Oh come on, you might as well have broadcasted that conversation on live radio for all the discretion you were practicing," a familiar voice chimed in and Max's head whipped around to find Ames White stepping out from behind another curtain with only a towel draped around his hips to protect his modesty. "Mister Multiples, huh? Where can I get one of those?" he continued, looking delighted at the prospect.

Kendra eyed him appreciatively and gave him a sympathetic look. "Sorry, cutie, but there's only one of him and he's all mine."

"Guess it's back to the meat market then," he sighed, shaking his head and catching sight of the brunette who had shrunk back behind Kendra, hoping she wouldn't be noticed. "Max?"

"You two know each other?" Kendra asked curiously, glancing back at her friend.

"No," Max said quickly at the precise moment that Ames said, "Yes."

Kendra shot Max a questioning look and the X5 was forced to concede defeat.

"We just met a few days ago," Max amended. "Acquaintances." She fixed her gaze on White. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm getting my hair done," he replied serenely, directing a significant glance downwards. Max's eyes widened and she suddenly wished she hadn't asked.

"O-kay," the blonde said softly, then smiled at Ames and held out a hand. "I'm Kendra."

"Ames White," he replied, shaking the hand she'd offered without hesitation. "Pleasure to meet you."

"Pleasure's all mine," Kendra assured him, looking him up and down with open admiration.

"Sorry, girl, but you're not really his type," Max put in helpfully, smirking slightly, and Kendra pouted in mock disappointment. "What was it you were quoting the other night?" she prompted him. "'That kind of thing ain't my bag, baby…'"

The curvy blonde tossed her head, struck a dramatic pose and purred. "Shagwell by name, shag very well by reputation."

"That's it. I'm keeping you," Ames grinned. "Max, find yourself another salon-buddy. I'm kidnapping this one."

"Only if Walter's invited," Kendra stipulated.

"Is Walter waxed?" Ames asked hopefully and Kendra burst out laughing.

"I could probably arrange it," she admitted impishly, warming to the topic immediately. "How do you like your cops? Over easy or sunny side up?"

"Oh my God, I can't listen to this," Max groaned, plugging her fingers in her ears against the visual Kendra's words conjured. "Stop! I'm begging you…"

"No, keep going," Ames chuckled encouragingly. "I'm always partial to having a man in uniform for breakfast."

"I think we're traumatizing her," Kendra giggled.

"Aw, the poor thing's an innocent," Ames sighed, thoroughly enjoying himself.

"Hey!" Max protested, plucking her fingers out of her ears. "Now wait just a second. Innocent, my ass."

"Ooooh, I think she needs corrupting," Ames decided, his expression alight with evil ideas.

"Absolutely," Kendra agreed, looping an arm through Max's left arm while White mimicked the motion on her right. "Sadie, we need a few minutes!"

"Take your time!" the pink-haired woman shouted back.

"Wait! Where are we going?" Max yelped, and then realized they were pulling her towards the infamous back door. "Oh no! No! I came here for hair and make-up. No-one said anything about shopping in the triple-x section."

"Welcome to the home of the sexy and shameless," Kendra said wickedly.

"Amen," Ames snickered as he swung the door wide.

The rear end of the store, as it were, was a masterpiece in black silk and mood lighting. Max hung back as the pair led her into the den of iniquity (God, she sounded like Normal), incredulous that Ames could be so blasé about parading around in that kind of environment wearing nothing but a towel. She took a step back, hoping she might slip away unnoticed but Ames stepped into her path, idly toying with something Max was sure was meant to go somewhere very uncomfortable.

"Oh no, sweet cheeks. I'm bringing up the rear," he chuckled, grinning like the cat that got the canary.

"Let's not forget this is a full service establishment, boys and girls," Sadie declared, sashaying into her domain with theatrical flair. She picked up a leopard-print thong and spun it around on her finger before tossing it to Ames.

"Fabulous," White drawled with a saucy wink and a salacious smirk. He simply let the towel drop and Max spun in the opposite direction, eyes wide and cheeks flaming at the split-second glimpse she'd caught of an area that had been very thoroughly waxed.

"Oooooh, the new rabbit," Kendra cooed, picking the product up off the shelf to inspect its rather impressive girth. She circled her thumb and forefinger around the base. "Hey Sadie, are the tester batteries still in the drawer next to the register?"

"Tester batteries?" Max echoed, her eyes widening to impossible proportions.

Kendra rolled her eyes and laughed. "No, Max, I'm not going to try it out right here on the shop floor," she assured her friend. "I just want to check out the speeds."

"And the thruster action," Ames added helpfully, still happily modeling the thong for Sadie. "Does this come in purple?" he asked, cupping himself and adjusting the fabric. "It's marvelous."

"Like Skittles, honey. Taste the rainbow," Sadie smiled. "There's an edible version, too…"

"This really isn't my thing," Max admitted, gingerly picking up a black-vinyl corset with her thumb and forefinger. "I'm not much of a shopper."

"Honey, you bought Alec off the rack, sight unseen," Kendra reminded her, putting the item back down. "There's something to be said for impulse-buying."

"He wasn't an impulse-buy," Max insisted. "He was a professional necessity."

"If that man inspires professionalism, you are not human," Kendra snorted, oblivious to the ironic eyebrow Ames arched in Max's direction.

Kendra, you have no idea, Max inwardly sighed.

"So have you ever tried an egg?" Kendra asked, all blue-eyed innocence, just as Max's phone went off. The X5 female growled something unintelligible and fished the offending piece of technology out of her pocket.

Max glanced down at the screen and tried not to scrunch up her face as Alec's name flashed up at her. She had really been hoping to avoid any kind of conversation with him. He'd said more than enough in Renfro's office.

She took one last look at her surroundings and sighed. Trust Alec to call her while she was standing in the middle of a room full of fake genitalia.

"This had better be important," she told him warningly.

"Hello to you too, Max," Alec drawled lazily. "Sleep well? Had your coffee yet? Eviscerated your neighbors?"

"Okay, okay, hello," she conceded, rolling her eyes. "Now why are you calling me?"

"There's been a change in plans tonight. I can't pick you up," Alec replied. "I'll have to meet you at the party instead."

Max's jaw clenched. "Something came up?" she echoed slowly, a lethal edge tingeing her tone. "You've known about this thing for a week."

"I know and I'm sorry," Alec temporized. "Look, I wouldn't do this if it wasn't important. All I'm saying is that I can't drive you in. I promise that I'll be there and do the rounds as your arm candy."

Max suppressed a frustrated growl. "Alec –"

"Oh my God, Max, you have to get this one! It has six speeds, a remote control and I guarantee it'll make your toes curl," Kendra said in a voice loud enough to make the X5's cheeks redden all over again.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line for a moment following Kendra's exclamation.

"Max," Alec began, sounding slightly strangled, "Where exactly are you?"

"Uh… my blender broke."

"You need a blender with a toe-curling function?" Alec asked, amusement creeping into his tone. Max's face flamed and Kendra nudged her shoulder.

"Is that Romeo?" the blonde asked.

"Don't call him Romeo," Max grumbled as Kendra snatched the phone from her nerveless fingers.

"Shouldn't you know better than to disturb a girl while she's getting dolled up? You're messing with a centuries-old female ritual here," Kendra chided him good-naturedly.

"Hey, I'm doing the polite thing by giving her advance warning about a change in plans," Alec defended himself. "I'm the good guy here. Now what's this about six speeds and toe-curling?"

"We're just shopping," Kendra chirruped merrily as she wandered down the aisle, out of Max's immediate reach. "For naughty things..."

"Tell me quick before she takes the phone back," Alec urged her.

"… and if you're lucky, you might even get to watch her use 'em," Kendra enthused.

"Give me that!" Max squawked.

"The phone or the toy?" Kendra asked mischievously as the brunette practically tackled her in a bid to reclaim the communication device. Max seized the phone and scrambled to reclaim her composure.

"Fine. Whatever," Max huffed at Alec, dragging a hand through her hair. "I'll find my own way there." She snapped the phone shut and put it away.

"You okay?" Ames asked, regarding her with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"Yeah, I just need to hire a car or something for tonight. Mine's in for repairs," Max groused, her frazzled sensibilities taking yet another hit. "Kendra, do you know the number for the local cab company?"

"Did he just punk out on you?" Kendra demanded, looking outraged on her friend's behalf.

"No, he's meeting me there," Max informed her.

"Meeting you where?" Ames prompted them.

"A work party," Kendra supplied. "For Sutherlands. You know, the advertising agency?"

"Actually, I do," Ames nodded. "If you need a ride, I'm happy to pitch in. It just so happens I'm on the guest list. The Ronald residence, right?"

Max nodded numbly. "You're invited?"

"Money kind of runs in the family," White nodded. "Someone had to attend and I drew the short straw. What time can I pick you up?"

"Uh…"

"Seven," Kendra promptly told him when Max hesitated.

"All right, just make sure you give me the address before you make a run for it," White chuckled, leaving the brunette to wonder how her life had brought her to a point where a gay man in a leopard-print thong would end up escorting her to a work function.

A few hours later, Max emerged from Sadie's red-faced, perfectly coiffed and clutching a plain cardboard box that contained the Lava Monkey 6000 that Ames and Kendra had insisted on buying for her – a purchase that would be shoved into the back of her closet when she got home and never, ever see the light of day if she had anything to say about it.

* * *

"Fear not, my feline friend. I know how to work a party," Ames assured her that night as they moved towards the entrance of the mansion Reagan Ronald called home. The glossy black Mercedes purred its way back down the lengthy drive, leaving Max no avenue of escape.

Feline friend? Max bit her tongue and focused on convincing herself that it was a bad idea to drag her strange companion somewhere quiet and gag him. Her temper was rather frayed and she couldn't afford to lose it in such a public setting.

She was just glad that White had chosen to forgo the crushed velvet suit and frilly lace cravat she had subconsciously been dreading. Normal would have fired her on the spot if she showed up on the arm of anyone so spectacularly dressed. Instead, Ames had elected for the more traditional black tuxedo and shiny shoes.

They strode into the foyer, Max discreetly searching the area for her real date. If Alec was late, she would personally see to it that he was incapable of fathering children. Her keen eyes flitted around, taking in every detail, yet there was no sign of him. Her teeth scraped against the inside of her cheek as she looked at the delicate watch that encircled her wrist.

Alec had six minutes before his head – and other parts of his anatomy – were officially on the chopping block.

"Not here?" Ames guessed and Max shook her head. "I can wait with you if you like," he offered.

"It's fine," she assured him quickly. "Go on. He knows he can't flake on this."

White studied her for a moment and finally nodded. "Play nice, kitty."

Max rolled her eyes at him and waved him off.

"You look beautiful, by the way," Ames told her truthfully as he retreated.

Max sighed, hating that the compliment sent a wave of relief rolling over her. The last two days had been stressful and though she didn't usually pay much mind to her looks, it was important that she made the right kind of impression at these functions.

As usual, it had turned out that Kendra was right. X-rated product-mongering aside, Sadie did know precisely what she was doing. By the time the beautician was finished, Max had been waxed, plucked, exfoliated and then massaged to the point where she'd actually dozed. Her hair had been shampooed, trimmed, styled and blow-dried to fall around her shoulders in raven-hued perfection. Her make-up was fresh and subtle… and it had felt nice to sit back and be spoiled for a brief time.

By the time she had gotten back to her apartment, hidden the never-to-be-thought-of-again sex toy and finished getting ready, Max had been prepared to admit that the time and expense had been worth it. The one-shouldered gown of midnight blue silk had a slightly Grecian look to it and hugged her curves in all the right places. She felt… feminine.

The fact that she was also pissed off was completely Alec's fault. Patience was not one of her virtues.

Tick… tick… tick…

Max could hear each second ticking over as the hands on her watch circled around. She didn't need to look at it to know what time it was. Six minutes quickly became four, then two. Max folded her arms across her chest and continuously tapped her index finger against her bicep, seized by the completely unladylike urge to growl under her breath.

One minute.

"Max, are you coming inside?" Sam asked, his voice coming from behind her. "Normal's looking for us."

X5-452 clamped down on the urge to say something completely scathing and unprofessional and plastered on her best expression of false pleasantry as she turned to face her co-worker. He actually managed to look rather dashing in his formal black ensemble.

"Sure, I'm just waiting for Alec," she replied, trying to keep her voice light. "I'll be right there."

Sam frowned. "You know Normal's gonna tear you a new one if you're not making the rounds in thirty seconds, right? Date or no date."

"I said I'll be there in a minute," Max snapped peevishly, the last vestiges of her good mood evaporating like smoke. She really didn't need any more aggravation right at that moment. She opened her clutch purse and grabbed her cell phone, punching in Alec's number from memory.

Pick up, pick up, she mentally urged him but it rang out.

"Max, come on," Sam insisted. "His name's on the guest list, right?"

"Yeah –"

"So security knows to let him in," Sam reasoned. "Now get your backside in there before Normal has a fit."

Max couldn't argue with that. Clenching her teeth, she allowed Sam to escort her through the immense house to the hall where the guests were circulating.

Ames noticed her entrance and shot her a questioning look. She shook her head in response and the hacker excused himself, weaving his way through the throng until he reached her.

"Just smile and picture everyone naked. It works for me," White whispered to her when he arrived at her side, flashing a lascivious grin at Sam. "Now introductions, if you please, Miss Guevara," he said at a more customary volume.

Left with little choice, Max obliged him. "Sam, this is Ames White. Sam is Sutherlands' Regional Sales Director."

Sam narrowed his eyes at White as he offered his hand politely "Do I know you from somewhere?"

"No, but I'd certainly like to know you," Ames replied, licking his lips as his fingers clasped Sam's hand and tilted it, a peculiar gleam lighting up his eyes. "You must tell me where you get your nails done," he said smoothly, smiling at Sam in a manner that couldn't be misinterpreted. Sam shifted slightly but made no effort to free himself from White's grip.

"A place on Seneca," he replied, clearing his throat slightly, and Ames finally released him.

No way… Max thought, her mind instantly jumping to the dual-purpose salon she had attended that very day.

"Sadie's?" Ames asked knowingly.

Okay, it could be worse, Max tried to comfort herself as she inwardly cringed. White could be hitting on Normal.

"There you are!"

Speak of the devil… she sighed in resignation as her boss materialized out of the crowd with his wife on his arm. "Mister Ronald," she greeted him with a smile that was going to be hurting her cheeks by the time the night was through. "Missus Ronald, it's so nice to see you again."

Sam quickly issued a similar welcome as Ames cleared his throat delicately, arching one eyebrow at Max.

"Right… this is Ames White," Max choked out.

"Betty Ronald," the woman said politely as Ames smiled, taking her hand and brushing his lips across her knuckles. In stark contrast to his earlier behavior, he didn't linger over the gesture.

"Do you dance, Missus Ronald?" White asked gallantly.

"Oh yes, I adore it but Reagan isn't interested in that sort of thing," she said wistfully.

"Well, perhaps you'd allow me the honor?" Ames prompted her, smiling at Normal's wife with more charisma than Max would have thought he'd waste on the opposite sex. "Maybe he'll join in if we set a good example?"

"I'd be delighted!" Betty declared.

"Behave…" Ames purred in a gently admonishing whisper aimed at Max and whisked Betty onto the dance floor. He bent a significant glance at the transgenic female before focusing on the task of guiding his partner around the other couples, all of whom were moving at a sedate pace that echoed the bland music being played – undoubtedly at Normal's behest. The difference was immediately apparent. White danced with grace and energy, sweeping Betty around with skill and enthusiasm that made them stand out among the crowd. Betty happily matched him, looking like she was having the time of her life.

Despite herself, Max's lips twitched as she watched. However temperamental her employer may have been, his wife seemed genuinely nice and it was good to see someone having fun at the party. If this was any indication of the kind of shindig Normal put together, Max was in for some long, boring nights in the line of duty.

Thankfully, Normal's attention was aimed squarely at Sam when Max's phone vibrated a few minutes later.

"Excuse me for just one second," she said quickly and stepped away from the two men, snatching the phone from her purse. Sure enough, Alec's name mocked her in all its liquid crystal glory.

"Where the hell are you?" she asked in a sweet tone laced with steel.

"Max…" Alec hesitated for a moment before plunging onwards. "I can't make it."

"Very funny."

"It's not a joke," he sighed.

"Alec, you can't bail on me," Max hissed through the taut, utterly fake smile plastered across her face for the benefit of the guests. "I am paying you to not bail on me!"

"Max, I'm sorry," Alec repeated. "It's okay though, you don't pay for me if I'm not there."

"So not the point!" Max reprimanded him, her voice unconsciously rising. "Alec, if you're not here in half an hour, I swear –"

"There'll be no swearing around my clients, Missy Miss," Normal interjected and Max had to consciously tell her fingers to resist the urge to crush the phone she was holding.

"Max, I've gotta go," Alec said and the brunette wanted to shove the regret she could hear in his tone down his throat until he choked on it. The steady beeping that signaled the end of the call made her swallow hard.

Son of a fucking bitch!

"I hope that was your Golden Boy telling you he's on his way," Normal said pointedly.

Max pursed her lips, mentally trying to gauge how badly Normal would react to her suddenly-dateless status. "Listen, Mister Ronald –"

"May I have this dance?" Ames interposed smoothly, smiling at the trio comprised of Max, Sam and Normal. At that moment, Max could have kissed him. But before she could open her mouth to accept out of sheer desperation for a distraction, White seized Normal in a classic tango stance.

As the first stunned protest burbled forth from Normal's lips, Ames started moving, pulling his unwilling partner across the dance floor. Max's jaw went slack as she froze on the spot, rooted to the ground in horror as giggles and gasps erupted around them.

My career is over, Max inwardly despaired as the waking nightmare played out. Ames manhandled her boss back and forth, heedless of the way Normal was scrabbling to get away. People pointed and laughed and whispered while the band belted out another chorus with gusto.

"Unhand me this instant!" cried Normal, whose voice rose an octave as Ames dipped him with a flourish.

Sam saw the mortification in Max's wide-eyed expression, knew she was imagining her job getting flushed down the toilet for being the one who introduced Ames to Normal, and took pity on her for the first time since he'd met her. It didn't take a genius to figure out she'd just been stood up and no-one deserved that, especially when they worked for Reagan Ronald.

Sam slipped through the crowd and towards the odd couple.

"Okay, how about you let Mister Ronald here have a breather, huh?" Sam suggested, looking pointedly at Normal who was being dipped a second time and nodded like one of those toy dogs with the bouncy heads.

"But then who will I dance with?" Ames asked with a mischievous – and distinctly flirtatious – glimmer in his eyes as he gazed at Sam, one eyebrow rising in challenge.

For a moment, Sam strongly considered walking away and letting Normal languish in homophobic Hell. It would serve the man right but he had the power to make everyone miserable come Monday, which wasn't anything to sneeze at. Then there was Max, abandoned and embarrassed by the whole spectacle.

Ames plucked the rose from the lapel of his jacket, biting down on the stem with his teeth, and moved to continue his display. Sam swore that he heard Normal's back crack from being held in the dip for so long.

"Okay, okay," Sam said quickly, stopping him mid-step. Ames flashed him a triumphant look and released Normal, who staggered to get his balance back. White stepped into Sam's personal space and both men moved into an intimate dance-hold, cheek-to-cheek as they paced the floor in time with the music. White waggled his brows and Sam shook his head, seizing hold of the rose with his own lips to claim it for himself.

"If you were looking to get my attention, you did a damn good job," Sam muttered around the stem.

"Wonderful," Ames replied with a lascivious wink. "Perhaps I can persuade you to join me for dinner tomorrow night. I've been told that my Red Lobster Alfredo is a treat and I've got a bottle of Chateau Mouton Rothschild Pauillac '95 just begging to be shared by the fire." He glanced at the blond man. "Unless you think I'm being too forward?"

Sam gave Ames an incredulous look. "After that display? No, I thought you were the quiet type," he deadpanned. "You're just lucky I have a habit of going after what I want."

"And what is it that you want?" Ames asked encouragingly.

Sam's lips quirked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"I'm ruined!" Normal lamented from the sidelines, looking like someone had just assaulted him with a trout as he stared at the two men. He looked about, his angry gaze quickly zeroing in on Max. "This is all your fault, Missy Miss!"

"What?" Max yelped, her temper flaring. "You're blaming me for this? You invited him!" She gestured wildly at the dance floor that was devoid of any occupants save the couple finishing up their tango. Max felt the first stirrings of a migraine as she watched Ames and Sam disappear into the crowd at long last.

"Next you'll be bringing Sappho's daughters to work!" Normal continued, the vein at his temple throbbing ominously.

"Mister Ronald?" a new voice chimed in sweetly.

Normal's head snapped around, his horn-rimmed glasses sliding down the front of his nose, to find a middle-aged woman wearing a pale green gown hovering by his side.

"Yes?" he huffed, belatedly trying to regain his composure.

"Oh, I just wanted to say how lovely it is to see a man with such an open policy in dealing with his employees," the woman gushed, making both Normal and Max blink in surprise. Normal's jaw dropped.

"Excuse me?" Normal finally said, staring at her in blatant disbelief.

"I'd never heard anything about Sutherlands being an equal opportunity employer," she continued, sounding breathless with excitement. "It's so refreshing!"

"Well, uh…" Normal stammered.

"I'd love to discuss running our advertising through your firm…"

Max took the opportunity to slink away, picking up speed as soon as she had put a reasonable distance between herself and her boss. She darted into the corridor in a flurry of silk and closed the door behind her, replaying the entire horrifying scene in her head with a groan.