sparkle with flecks of gold from the sun hitting them. She absent-mindedly chews on her pen, her tongue flicking around the tip. She doesn’t even realize how provocative that is.
The blonde proffers her hand to me. “Niki.”
I shake it, but my gaze never leaves Cyn’s. “Shane O’Flannery, CEO.” I introduce the other guys.
“CEO,” Niki says, breathy and ready to be bedded. I hold back a laugh.
Jeremy trips almost landing face first into Niki’s breasts. He recovers, grinning while Niki steps away from him and moves within inches of me.
She turns toward me, smiling seductively while tonguing her bottom lip. This girl knows exactly what game she’s playing. “Young to be a CEO.”
“He is,” Gina says, winking at me. I do admire her spunk.
Jeremy’s Adam's apple bobs in his throat while his gaze caresses every one of Cyn’s curves, so I push him in front of Niki, so that I can stand next to Cyn and drink her in. “We’re a software company that writes apps to connect you overseas without the high international rates.”
It’s probably my imagination or an answer to my silent prayer, but I swear Cyn gives me a seductive smile. Or is there a little competition between the blonde and she, like there is with her sister Fay?
“Sounds like stealing,” Cyn says.
“I’m sure it’s not,” Niki says, squeezing in between Gina and Cyn to stand closer to me.
“It’s not,” I say. “We piggyback off Wi-Fi and signal towers while paying minimum fees to local carriers. Weren’t you listening to my speech at the Chamber of Commerce?”
“Not really,” she says, toying with me, which I love.
“Interesting,” Niki says, now chewing on her lower lip. “That must bring in a lot of money.”
“We’re doing okay,” I say. I only need 3 mil to buy a fishing camp on the Kenai River in Alaska, then I will leave Austin, and I’d like to take Cyn with me.
“We’re doing better than okay,” Jeremy adds, peering down the blonde’s low-cut blouse. “A few of the major carriers have already offered to buy us out.”
Cyn picks up one of the brochures. “Gina, Christine, and I are finance-business majors, and Niki’s in graphic design. Do you need any interns?”
Shoot. We already have an accountant. “Sorry, ladies. We’re currently looking for programmers.”
“See y’all later,” Cyn says, taking Gina’s arm and continuing their way to the other booths. Cyn’s not as interested as I’d hoped, so I’m a little disheartened.
Jeremy scowls. “Why did you do that?”
“Because we don’t need them.”
“What do you mean? I need them.” Jeremy desperately wants a real woman, so he doesn’t spend so much time on porn sites, even against company policy.
Tang glances at them. “Is that the Cynthia Diaz who was kidnapped a couple years ago?”
“Yes. She escaped, but her mother didn’t.” Saying it still cuts into my skin.
“She must be pretty messed up,” Jeremy says, “but the blonde is very fine.”
“The feds suspected Mexican Cartel, but they never could pin anything on Cyn’s father, who they believed was dealing,” Tang adds.
“Who cares?” Jeremy says, still leering at the girls while they talk to other vendors. “They’re like smoking.”
* * *
Close to five, I close and lock up our booth. Though it’s fall here, when I step outside, the heat and humidity suck my breath away. It’s nothing like Alaska—cool, crisp mountain air scented with pine. I miss home.
A patch of rain clouds threaten to break open any time now. A few drops splatter on my head and paint the sidewalk.
Before I make it to my rundown Harley, I spot Cyn starting her Porsche. It gives a pitiful click-click-click.
A guy leans against an apple-red Ferrari with his arms folded across his chest, like he’s bored, while she keeps turning the key.
“Can’t you do something?” she asks the guy.
“Not really. Call triple A. You have a card.”
Her smile strains against her