Beauty and the Beast

Stacy Jenson yawned as she sat in a booth and worked on…something. She was writing in a notebook, the fingers of one hand curled around her coffee cup.

Ethan Harrison shoved the door open and dragged himself in from the cold wind, looking like a rejected extra from Grease. He grabbed his phone from his pocket and checked through his messages, grumbling under his breath. “Damnit Kaine, why do you have to be so hard to get in contact with?”

Stacy lifted her head a moment and eyed Ethan. Kaine. Familial resemblance. She could have easily connected all the dots and told him to send the man a bad pun, that was always what Winter did. “Could just send the man a nudie. Always grabs his attention when his girlfriend does it.” She deadpanned. Her hand lifted her cup and took a sip, her eyes dropping back down to her notebook. _{“I hate Trig.”}

Ethan looked up, then looked around. Not many people around so… “Me? He just needs to look in a men's fashion or health magazine once in a while. I think he publishes them. Or his company does.” He wandered over to her table, placing his phone down as he leaned on it. “Working hard? Or hardly working?”

“A little bit of both, but from your angle, you're going to be working hard.” She replied, then looked up from the jumble of letters and numbers on her paper. “Ethan Harrison, right?” She asked, then took a sip of her coffee. “Stacy Jenson.”

Ethan went to speak, opening his mouth before changing his mind and frowning. He always struggled when someone knew his name but that was just part of the modeling life. Someone would always recognize him. “Yeah.” From this angle… He wasn't going to say more than to agree with her assertion of his name. “It would help if I had his number or anything that meant I could get in contact with him other than sending a message to his company.”

Stacy snorted. “Yeah, good luck with that. Winter only has it because she snooped her sister's phone to pass along V-day information. Dude's locked tighter than Fort Knox.” She replied, her head bowing over her work as she palmed another yawn. She ran her fingers through long dark locks and wrote down an answer in her immaculate handwriting. “Nice knowing you.” She said dismissively. She didn't have time for chit chat, especially since the guy didn't even acknowledge her name.

Ethan sat down at on the seat opposite her. “Look, Stacy? I got into town yesterday, I'm jet lagged, I'm having problems getting in contact with my brother. I'm kinda cranky. Sorry, I didn't mean to take it out on you.” He shrugged out of his leather jacket, leaving just the tight grey t-shirt covering his torso, his well-toned arms bare from the biceps down. He was well aware of how beautiful he was, and he used it to his advantage, even without realizing it. Such was the lot of a male model, even a struggling one. “Can I try that greeting again? Hi Stacy Jenson, I'm Ethan Harrison.”

Stacy looked up, grey eyes inspecting him for a moment or two. “He's your brother? Fuck. Alright, hang on.” She pulled out her phone and sent a text off to Winter, then set it down. “There. I've texted my best friend, Winter. Her sister is dating the guy.” She lifted her cup again and took a swallow. He was a good looking guy but Stacy wasn't really about looks. No matter how amazing his arms looked. “A pleasure, Mister Harrison.” She nodded, offering a faint smile.

Ethan tilted his head to one side and forward in acknowledgment. “Thank you. I'll let you get on with whatever that is. Looks like it's way out of my league.” He stood up, grabbing his jacket and throwing it over his shoulder, making his way towards the bar. _{“That was unexpected.”} He muttered under his breath. With no-one serving, he looked to see if he could get some coffee. He'd heard about the girl who brought coffee in every morning, but apparently, that wasn't happening this morning. He'd have to make do with the coffee pot behind the bar.

Summer pushed open the doors to the club and looked to Stacy. Heels clacked the tile as she made her way to the booth. “Stacy. Where.” She bit out.

“Oh hey Summer, I'm doing great, thanks for asking.” She pointed to the bar. “Over there. I was just trying to help and wow. I feel used today.” She huffed, closing her notebook and pulling out a history book.

Summer made her way to the bar and stood next to Ethan. “Summer Caldwell. Heard you're looking for Kaine. Why?” She said, getting right to the point.

Ethan poured out coffee into one of the paper cups, adding sugar and… Creamer? Where's the milk? It looks like the same stuff… Oh, it'll do. He took a sip from the paper cup and turned just as Summer arrived, starting slightly at her sudden arrival. He'd heard the clicking of her heels, but in his jet lagged state, he hadn't realized she was making her way over to him. “He's my brother, I'm trying to reconnect with him. Who are… Wait…” He peered at her, then pulled out his phone, checking an article he'd saved in his search. “Summer Caldwell, She Wolf of New York, currently dating Kaine Hayden. _{Damn, this day just gets better and better.”}

Summer looked at her phone. “Right. He'll be in touch. I've made him aware. Until then, enjoy the city.” She turned and began to walk out, stopping to glance at Stacy. “Met Art. Friday evening, six o'clock. Winter's birthday party. Be there.” And with that, the She-Wolf departed.

Stacy looked up and gave a small smile. “Pleasure as always, Summer. I'll be there.” She went back to reading, rubbing her temples. Her eyes were starting to hurt.

Ethan frowned, his eyes, then his whole head, following her out of the door, following the sound of her clicking heels. Her exchange with Stacy made the jigsaw pieces drop into place as to how she could find him so quickly. Fucking jet lagged mind…

Stacy was left alone to do her reading. Except now she was irritated. Yay.

Ethan returned to the seat opposite Stacy, drinking the kerosene he'd just served himself. God, he needed a good coffee. “'scuse me, Stacy, I can see the coffee you're drinking isn't this shit. Where can I get something decent here?”

“The place I work at makes a killer cuppa. I might be biased, but the owner knows her way around a good blend.” She sighed and closed her book, tucking it in her backpack. “Suppose you'd like an escort?” She quipped, a twinkle of amusement in her steel grey eyes.

Ethan smiled weakly, still somewhat tired. “If it's not too much trouble. I really don't know my way around the city yet.” He pulled on his jacket in anticipation of leaving.

Stacy hoisted her backpack over her shoulder and jerked her head to the door. “Well. I'm no escort. But I'll be your guide. Welcome to New York.” She retorted with a laugh as they made their way out.

Ethan only managed to draw a connection from 'escort' to anything more than just a guide as they were leaving. _{“Well, crap. I thought you only meant guide.”}

Next: Wolves on the Prowl