A Demon in Stilettos by Empress LaBlaque Page A

but today they were chummy—very chummy. Realizing they were discussing her, Coy stilled and listened.
    “Well, I’m staying out of Coy’s way,” Erin announced aggravatedly. “It’s like—she’s an entirely different person—like, totally ghetto. We don’t eat lunch together anymore. The witch doesn’t even wait for me to take a break. She just does her own thing.”
    Hector’s rich inflection met Coy’s sensitive ears. “Yeah, you’re right. Somehow, Coy is no longer, Coy. Everyone notices her, and not everyone likes her new ‘tude.
    Erin giggled. “I know, right? She’s demanding and pushy—just so sure of herself. Now, when she strolls down the hall, people actually move out of her way. What’s up with that?”
    “Yeah,” Hector barked. “Man it’s like Coy’s in charge, and we’re only here to serve her.”
    “Can you believe I’ve tolerated this shit for three whole weeks? People are throwing questions at me, like I have the answers. Some women want to know her secret.”
    Hector’s voice became muffled. “That’s for real. Men told me they wanted to trade shoes with Johns, and I don’t blame ‘em. That’s one hot piece of ass.” Hearing quite enough, Coy turned sharply to leave the cramped space. Unfortunately, when she turned the corner, she stumbled over Erin who was getting Petri dishes from a lower shelf.With widened eyes, Erin gasped. “Oh! H—hey Coy.”
    With darting eyes, Hector backed up until his back touched the shelf behind him. He ran his fingers through his dark hair. “W—we were just talking about, you.”
    Coy narrowed her eyes. “So I hear.”
    With eyes glued on Coy, Erin stood up. “I know you overheard us talking.” She turned toward Hector, and then faced Coy. “We’re just concerned about you. Honestly.” Erin grimaced then cast her gaze toward the floor. “We didn’t mean anything we said.”
    Putting out an opened palm, Coy pushed past Erin.“Save it. This witch has work to do.”
    “I’m sorry,” Erin called.
    * * * *
    That evening Coy went about her work as usual. Though Erin and Hector had slaughtered her character, she held them no ill will. Finally, Erin approached Coy. Biting her lip, she shoved her hands deep into her pockets. “So, the big play is this weekend, huh?”
    Coy pulled off her sterile bonnet, and her mask. “Yep. I’m not sure we’re going. We might be busy that night.”
    “Why, Coy?” Erin wrung her hands “You’ve waited months for this play.”
    “I don’t know. I’ve kinda lost interest.”
    Erin charged forward. “How could you? You told Johns to buy tickets. Your brother, Jacque is starring in this play.”
    “Really? Well, okay.” She shrugged. “I guess I’ll go.”
    “How could you forget such an important event?” Erin made her lips into a perfect ‘O’. She placed her hands on her hips, “I forgot. You’ve been busy getting your brains screwed out. I guess all that wild sex is affecting your memory.”
    “Oh yeah.” Coy smiled pensively. “That Lincoln Johns, sure can fu…”
    “Coy VanAlstine. Stop!” She grabbed Coy by the arm and pulled her toward a chair. “Sit down. We need to talk.”
    Coy sat down at her desk, and turned her chair toward Erin. “What now? My skirt is too short—my lips are too red?”
    “It’s you!” Erin scolded, shaking her finger. “Your weird behavior!”
    Coy placed her palm to her forehead. “Let’s not do that same old song and dance.”
    Rudely, Erin removed Coy’s hand. “Listen to me, Coy. I’m sorry you heard me and Hector talking, and I’m sorry for treating you like dirt. I deserved a good ass chewing. But, right now you need a real friend.”
    “And that friend is you, right?”
    “Yes! Something is terribly wrong with you. The Coy I know would never have sex in the doctor’s office, in the men’s room, or in the closet. She would no t spend her every waking moment, getting off, or having her own way.”
    Staring blankly, Coy