“You’ve gotta love three-floor walkups with paper-thin walls.”
“That are more expensive than most five-bedroom houses in any other state.”
“But at least the heat doesn’t work in the winter and there’s none of that noisy air-conditioning in the summer.”
Madison nodded and had another big sip of martini. “Well, doll, it’s tough for us young, gorgeous career gals.”
Karrie’s brows rose. “Gorgeous?”
“Hey,” Madison said, “if we can’t play pretend, I really am leaving.” Karrie was gorgeous, even though she’d deny it. All that fabulous auburn hair with natural golden highlights, while Madison’s dirty-blond hair was so nondescript it was pathetic.
“Which is exactly why we’re going to see Madam Zora.”
“Oh, no.”
“Oh, yes. You and I. Together.”
Madison shook her head. “I don’t know what Sonya was thinking.”
“Probably trying to take our minds off the fact that we have a better chance of winning the lottery than we do of getting lucky tonight.” Karrie sipped her peach martini, her gaze drawn to a tall woman with dark waist-length hair and red lipstick who’d emerged from the room.
Madison watched, too, as the woman’s dramatically made-up eyes widened when Nancy asked her what happened with the psychic.
“She’s amazing. Totally awesome.” The woman, whom Madison didn’t recognize as a regular, shook her head, her expression a haze of disbelief. “She knew everything about me. Even that I’m engaged.”
Madison poked Karrie in the ribs, then nodded at the rock on the woman’s finger. “Amazing.”
Karrie pressed her lips together but couldn’t quite hide her smile. “Come on, you chicken. What can it hurt?”
“Don’t make me do this. I hate this kind of stuff. You know I break out in hives when I’m exposed to too much schlock in one evening.”
Karrie laughed. “Madison, don’t be such a wet blanket. Who knows, maybe she’s going to see a tall, handsome stranger in your future.”
“Yeah, right.”
“Okay, so she won’t. But do it, anyway. Please?”
“Fine.”
“Okay, then.”
Madison caught a passing waiter and exchanged her empty glass for another martini.
“You’re really not nervous about this?”
“Of course not. It’s all nonsense.”
Karrie grinned. “Good. Because I put our names down an hour ago. We’re next.”
Madison glared at her, but quickly switched her attention to the opening door and Camilla, who’d hosted the candle party last month, her face flushed, the sparkle in her eyes an odd mixture of fear and excitement. Scary. The woman was pretty savvy and not the type to fall for this twaddle.
Karrie made an odd, throaty noise and Madison glanced over at her. She looked as if she might be having second thoughts. Good. Madison didn’t want to be a wienie about this, but she didn’t want to hear some horrible prediction that her life was about to take a dive or, worse, her career.
Even if it was all nonsense.
“Hey, Madison, Karrie.” Sonya waved them toward her bedroom. “Madam Zora is waiting for you.”
HER FRIEND LED THE WAY into the dimly lit room, and Madison followed, her pulse accelerating. Silly, since she didn’t believe in this stuff. Not even a smidgen. But she had to admit, Sonya had done a good job of setting the mood. She’d put up curtains to hide her bed, and made the area for the reading intimate and exotic, the only light coming from the soft glow of a pair of candles.
“Do not be nervous, now. Come sit.” Madam Zora motioned them to the two chairs opposite her, her smile displaying the flash of a gold tooth. She had to be in her forties, or maybe even fifties. Her unlined skin hid her age well, but she had old eyes.
Kind eyes that, amazingly, seemed to put them both at ease.
They were dark, her hair short and as black as the caftan she wore over her large, languid form as she lounged on a burgundy velvet love seat. If not for the giant gold hoops gleaming from her ears, she nearly blended into the black-draped walls.
Karrie sat first, and then gave Madison the eye as if she thought Madison might bolt. Which wasn’t a bad idea. Instead she didn’t even try to hide her reluctance as she sank into the other chair.
Madam Zora laughed softly. “Tell me why you’ve come to see Madam Zora,” the woman said, looking directly at Karrie.
She shrugged and said bluntly, “This isn’t something I’d normally do. I don’t really believe in this stuff, but I figured that since you’re here and I’m not paying for it…”
Madam Zora laughed again. “You needn’t fear me. You have a very bright future….”
Karrie leaned forward with interest.
Madison sighed to herself and listened with half an ear while Karrie continued to get her reading. Mostly general stuff that could apply to anyone. Except halfway through, Madam Z. said some things that caught Madison’s full attention. Things the hokey psychic shouldn’t have known about Karrie or her brother.
Madison’s gaze went to Karrie, and suddenly it wasn’t so amusing. She could see from her friend’s expression that she was buying every prognostication as gospel. Which wasn’t like Karrie at all. This had to be a trick, that’s all. Or someone had tipped Madam Zora off about Karrie’s brother. It was stupid to even consider…
The second they were finished, Madison stood. Karrie didn’t budge, and Madison touched her shoulder. “Come on, kiddo.”
Karrie hesitated, but then finally stood, and gave Madam Z. the perfunctory thanks. Madison headed straight for the door.
“You needn’t be afraid.”
The psychic’s voice stopped her in her tracks. She turned back to face the woman, who, come on, could have come up with something more original than the damn gypsy garb. “I’m not. I realize this is only entertainment.” At least she didn’t call it schlock but she almost reconsidered at the hint of condescension in the older woman’s smile. “You have a waiting list. I’ll give someone else a turn.”
“Ah, but don’t you want to hear about the career opportunity on your horizon?”
That got Madison’s attention.
“Let’s hear her out.” Karrie started to go back to her seat.
Madison tugged on her sleeve. “Nah, go ahead. I’ll be right behind you.”
Karrie
