That was when Cassandra entered the delivery bay.
She was laughing at something on her phone.
Then she looked up.
Saw Simone.
Saw the cloth.
Saw the white car.
And decided she understood the situation.
“You missed a spot.”
Simone looked over.
Cassandra pointed toward the hood.
“There.”
Simone glanced at the paint.
“Where?”
“Near the badge.”
Simone looked carefully.
Nothing.
She looked back.
Cassandra smiled.
“Relax. I’m joking.”
Simone said nothing.
Cassandra stepped closer.
“Detailing usually happens before customer delivery.”
“Usually.”
“You new?”
Simone folded the towel.
“No.”
Cassandra looked at her dress.
Then her heels.
Then the towel.
Her smile became stranger.
“Interesting uniform.”
Simone’s expression did not change.
“I’m not wearing a uniform.”
“Oh.”
Cassandra laughed.
Two sales associates near the glass office looked over.
One quickly looked away.
The other kept watching.
Cassandra gestured toward the car.
“So this is some social-media thing?”
“What would be?”
“Cleaning luxury cars dressed like that.”
Simone placed the towel flat on the hood.
“No.”
Cassandra’s laugh grew louder.
“Then I’m confused.”
Simone looked at her.
“That seems possible.”
One of the younger employees covered a smile.
Cassandra noticed.
Her expression tightened.
Then she turned back toward Simone.
“Well, whoever hired you should probably explain that customers don’t usually want fingerprints all over delivery vehicles.”
Simone looked at her own hand resting beside the towel.
“Good advice.”