A Taste of Spring

Spring looked up in time to see Mr. Spencer motion to the same man who stepped in-between Brandi, her, and the secretary. Unlike Stanley, Joe didn't shake their hands. Instead, he just saluted them then continued to fiddle with the camera in his hand.

"Let's get you guys set up," Taylor said with excitement. She motioned for them to follow again.

Spring glanced over her shoulder at Mr. Spencer. He was still watching her. Blushing, she turned away and followed Brandi, who was following Taylor.

Spencer Studios was a grand space with many wide windows, whiter than white walls, and more natural light and lighting fixtures to brighten a dark city block. Everything looked new, clean, and expensive. Two lines of columns separated two sides of the main floor that had four sections set up for picture taking, leaving the middle of the building as a wide walkway. Two bay doors sat at the far end of the building and on the opposite side, where they were headed, was a wall that didn't quite reach the high ceiling. The wall had a huge glass window above several doors.

Taylor pointed to the doors. "There are the offices. That one without a nameplate is Stanley's. These are the dressing rooms," Taylor said, pointing at doors as they approached.

Spring glanced over at the only room without a name but quickly looked ahead, entering the room that Taylor held open for them. She glanced over her shoulder as she entered, once again meeting Mr. Spencer's hooded gaze. Spring sucked in a gulp of air then turned away immediately.

"He can be pretty intimidating at first but he's a teddy bear." Taylor smiled as she closed the door.

"Really? Because teddy bear isn't the vibe I was getting." Brandi said as she took a seat on one of the chairs.

either but she didn't say so. Instead, she looked around the dressing/makeup room that was about half the size of her sister's apartment. Racks of clothing, drawers of accessories, and shoes were on

Taylor said with little conviction, sounding more like she

stylish

you got the message about keeping the braids in." Taylor giggled, shrugged, then started

She was happy she didn't

informed and if Stanley Spencer trusted her,

What was going on with her? First Dez and now Mr. Spencer. Something definitely had woken inside her.

----------

DEZMOND

One month later

I am certain that I will lose

the hell has

out. He spoke loud enough to get the attention of the group of women standing on stage beside the karaoke screen. "How about something with less bass, something

familiar notes of a pop song that Dez found just as annoying. Then the songstresses added their high pitched toneless