Joey and Lauren pulled apart as they heard footsteps coming down the stairs of the club
'Joey?' Sharon called out
Lauren looked at him and quickly wiped her lipstick off his lips, he grinned her
'Not my colour?' he teased
Lauren rolled her eyes and stood up 'Do I look okay?' she asked him again
'You look fine. Good luck babe' he said and he stole another quick kiss as they stood up 'I'm in the bar, Lauren's here' he called back.
Sharon came into view 'Oh Lauren I'm sorry I'm late' she apologised 'Denny was being a nightmare' she told her
'It's okay' Lauren smiled at her
'Have you been here long?' Sharon asked
'Five or ten minutes' Joey replied before Lauren could say anything. 'Gave us a chance to catch up a little' Joey squeezed Lauren's shoulders as he walked passed her 'Good luck' he said softly.
'Well are we ready then?' Sharon asked Lauren 'We'll go into my office'
'Yeah I'm ready' Lauren nodded and she followed Sharon, she glanced at Joey just before she disappeared into the office and he winked at her, she smiled shyly.
'Well take a seat Lauren' she said 'I take Joey's filled you in a little bit?'
'He's not really said much' she said 'He told me that you wanted to see some of my drawings so I brought them in, but I left the case on the bar'
'Don't worry, pop out and get them' she said , Lauren turned to go back Just as Joey appeared with the art folder
'Thought you might need these' he said
'Thank you' Lauren took the folder from him, Sharon watched from behind her desk as they held each others gaze a little longer than necessary.
'Thank you Joey' Sharon said, Lauren turned and she put the folder down on Sharon's desk, Sharon thought she could see a faint blush on her cheeks 'Well let's have a look then' Sharon said reaching for the folder.
Long minutes passed and Lauren sat nervously in her seat, chewing on her bottom lips as Sharon took her time going the drawings, her expression giving nothing away. She studied one drawing for a little longer than she did the others and she nodded her head and then looked at up Lauren.
'Well, Joey said you were good, I have to admit I was expecting this' Sharon said and she looked back down at the picture that she was holding 'He's a big fan of yours' she told her 'And you've captured his likeness to a tee.' She turned the picture round and Lauren was mortified as she saw a picture of Joey, she felt her face flush bright red .
'I thought I'd taken those out' Lauren said and she swallowed and avoided Sharon's gaze.
'So why don't I tell you what I'm looking for?' Sharon continued.
'Okay. Do you mind if I take notes?' Lauren asked her
'I'd be worried if you didn't' Sharon smiled at her.
Lauren took notes as Sharon described what she wanted the brand of the club to be, 45 minutes later Lauren looked up from her notes 'I can have something for you in a couple of days?' she told Sharon
'Really, that quick?' she raised her eyebrows in surprise
'Well I have a lot of free time'
'Okay, well I'm excited to see what you come up with' Sharon said 'Of course I can't promise anything, we'll have to get Phil's approval too and like I told Joey it won't pay much'
'I'm just glad of the opportunity' Lauren told her and she picked up her folder 'I won't let you down Sharon' she said with a smile.
'I'll see you out' Sharon told her and she stood up and she followed Lauren out of her office and to the stairs of the club 'You call me when you're ready to show me a draft okay'
Lauren nodded 'I will' she told her with a smile 'Thanks again Sharon'
'You're welcome' she replied with a smile. As Lauren left the club Sharon turned and walked back to her office
'Well?' Joey asked her
'Well what Joey?' Sharon paused and she looked at him 'Did I offer Lauren the job?'
'Well yeah'
'She's going to draw up some drafts and we'll take things from there' she told him 'But yes you were right, she is really good. I particular like her portraits' she said. Joey blinked and frowned slightly, confused. Sharon walked a few more steps 'Oh and Joey, that shade of lipstick doesn't suit you'
Joey wiped his mouth on the back of his hand and looked at the faint smear of lipstick and then glanced towards Sharon's office.
AN: So Joey and Lauren have been discovered already? What will her parents think about the good news… Will she be celebrating at the club tonight or will something get in the way? R&R as always and enjoy reading.