doorway. âIâll have to get back to him. Didnât you let him know Iâm on an important call?â
The young man nodded. âHe was insistent. Said he had some crucial information for you, and if you didnât get it youâd probably kick his ass. Sorry, those were his words. And thereâs a Miss Daly waiting in reception. She doesnât have an appointment but said youâre expecting her?â He ended on a question to explain his own lack of knowledge of the unexpected visitor. âI think she has to do with why Mr. Peterson is calling.â
âI wouldnât be surprised,â McCoy Sutton muttered, already pushing a button on his phone console as his assistant backed out of the office door, closing it behind him.
âJeff, this is a bad time. Iâm in the middle ofâ¦â
âFifteen seconds, I swear. Itâs about my sister, Cherise Kim Daly. Sheâs twenty-three, was voted Miss Something-or-other in Washington, D.C., has done a few commercials, and she wants to be an actress. Think Vivica Fox, but younger. I sent her over to see you. Did she get there, yet?â
âAnd you want me to see her becauseâ¦â Mac began, his annoyance at the interruption held at bay because Jeff Peterson was one of his best friends.
âBecause I know you can hook her up.â
âNot with me. Not my type, and sheâs too young.â
âOf course not with you. This ainât about booty, Mac. Sheâs trying to break into the business here, and I thought you could help her out a little.â
âJeff,â McCoy began with more patience than he was feeling, âIâm not in the business. I donât have anything to do with the movie industry, the studios, the directors, or young women who want to be actresses. And, Iâm in the middle of a deal.â
âYou know a lot of people. Just introduce her to one or two and then you can cut her loose.â
Mac looked at his watch. âYour fifteen seconds are up. You owe me, Jeff. Bye.â He hung up the phone, shaking his head, but nevertheless amused by his friendâs affrontery. He called his assistant. âColin, tell Ms. Daly Iâll be with her shortly. Offer her something to drink.â
Shortly turned out to be close to an hour.
When McCoy was finally able to go out to the reception area, it was to find that Jeff Petersonâs description of his sister had been on target, and Colin had fallen under the spell of the brown-skinned beauty, as was evident by the flush in his cheeks.
âSorry to keep you waiting so long,â Mac said, extending his hand to the very slender, tall and poised young woman who stood up to meet him.
Within the first few seconds McCoy had taken a complete assessment of Cherise Daly and determined that she had at least several key attributes necessary for success in Hollywood. She was tall and Hollywood thin, but with curves in all the places deemed to be important. She had a slightly exotic look, with hazel eyes and long wavy hair. Her features were less African-American than they were kind of multiethnic other. Her skin color was the same as Halle Berryâsâbrown enough not to be confused for white, but light enough to afford Ms. Daly more opportunities. Mac doubted if all of Ms. Dalyâs assets were hers, but no one particularly cared anymore about authenticity in Hollywood.
She was totally aware of herself, and with a certain feminine coyness that Mac personally found too studied to be appealing.
âIâm sorry Jeff didnât give you more warning about me.â Her smile was warmâ¦and sexy.
Mac tore his gaze from her and looked at Colin who, clearly mesmerized by Cherise, was trying not to appear too dumbstruck.
âWhatâs on my calendar for the rest of today?â
âA three oâclock appointment with Altair Construction over that renovation in Santa Monica, and thereâs that fundraiser