Page 48 of Chasing Sunsets

“I’m not.” Bold and confident, Rhianna smiled her million-dollar smile at the camera. “I’m Rhianna. I brought supplies Doreen will need for her exciting night ahead. You can find me at Simple Styles. We’re open Tuesday through Saturday, seven to seven.”

Sadie grinned. Her cousin knew how to use her assets to get what she wanted. In this case, free publicity—if the producers used the footage in the final edits.

“Can’t you stay?” Truman asked, taking the camera away from his face.

“Afraid not.” She tugged a card from the pocket of her wristlet and passed it to him as she leaned close and whispered something in his ear.

He gazed at her like he didn’t believe what she’d just said. She winked and walked out of the room. He watched her leave, even kept his eyes on the door another minute as if hoping she’d reappear. He slowly turned around and read the card she’d given him. “How did that goddess come to be here?”

“She’s Sadie’s cousin,” Doreen answered.

Truman put the camera on the coffee table. “Is she married?”

Sadie shook her head.

“Seeing someone?”

Before she could answer, he continued, “I mean a woman like that must have a boyfriend.”

“If you want to know more about her,” she said, “you’ll have to call the number on the card.”

“Zack,” Truman pleaded. “Help a brother out.”

“Call her.”

Truman grimaced, clearly disappointed. He pulled out his phone and walked to the door. He propped it open with a chair and stepped into the hallway.

Doreen typed on her phone, closed her eyes, and lifted her face toward the ceiling before opening her eyes and punching the phone again. “I texted Ted. We’ll see if he shows up. Zack, you ready?”

Zack sat in the director’s chair. Truman returned, picked up his camera, and began filming.

“Room service.” A male hotel staff member in black pants and a white shirt pushed a cart into the room. The cart was filled with ice buckets containing bottles of beer, seltzers, sodas and water.

Twenty minutes later, a cameraperson entered the room. Truman handed over the camera and hurried out the door. Sadie couldn’t help but wonder if he was going to Rhianna’s salon.

Brett came through the open door and glanced around. The intensity of his features seemed somewhat softer. “Am I early?”

“You’re right on time. I’ll be with you in just a minute,” Doreen called.

“Would you like a drink?” Sadie motioned to the cart.

He picked up a bottle of beer, twisted off the cap, and sat next to her on the couch. “Thank you for today,” he murmured so only she could hear.

She smiled, hoping her new friends would find a way to work things out.

She and Zack played hosts and welcomed contestants and many of the series staff employees who stopped by while Doreen cut the men’s hair.

All except Ted. So far, he was a no-show.

“Our reservation is at eight,” Zack put his hand on Sadie’s lower back sending tingles up her spine. “We better get going.”

“I wish Ted had showed up,” she complained. “Maybe we should go by his room and see if he got Doreen’s text.”

“No need.” Zack motioned with his head toward the door.

“Thank goodness,” Sadie whispered.

They said their goodbyes. As they passed Ted, who stood just inside the room watching his wife, Sadie softly said, “Doreen is booked, but she might be able to fit you in after her last client.”

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