“Are you here for an event?”
The question sounded harmless.
The woman understood it immediately.
“No.”
The manager smiled again.
“We sometimes have guests arrive early for private functions.”
“I’m not early for anything.”
The junior associate shifted awkwardly.
The manager looked toward him.
“I’ve got this.”
He hesitated.
Then stepped away.
Not far.
The woman noticed that he remained within hearing distance.
The manager turned back.
“Were you looking for someone?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
The woman looked at the Bugatti.
“Eventually, the person responsible for selling that.”
The manager laughed softly.
Not openly mocking.
More like correcting an adorable misunderstanding.
“That particular car is not part of our general inventory.”
“I know.”
“It is being held for qualified clients.”
The woman turned toward her.
“What qualifies someone?”
The manager’s smile thinned.
“Purchase history.”
“Financial verification.”
“Relationship with the brand.”
“And?”
The manager tilted her head.
“And what?”
The woman looked toward the car.
“Whatever else you were about to say.”
The manager’s expression stiffened.
“I think you may have misunderstood me.”
“I doubt it.”
The junior associate looked down.
The manager noticed.
That irritated her.
She returned her attention to the woman.
“Would you like to look at something else?”
“No.”
“There are other vehicles available for viewing.”
“I came for this one.”
The woman stepped closer.
Her fingertips stopped an inch above the open door.
She did not touch.
The manager moved between her and the car.
“That vehicle starts well above three million dollars before taxes and associated costs.”
The woman’s expression did not change.
“Does the number change depending on who asks?”
“No.”
“Then why tell me before I asked?”
The manager stopped.
A customer near the configuration table glanced over.
The junior associate looked like he wanted to disappear.
The manager lowered her voice.
“We have problems sometimes with visitors coming in for social media content.”
The woman looked around.
“Do I have a camera?”
“That isn't the point.”
“What is?”
“We protect the vehicles.”
“From me?”
“From everyone.”
The woman smiled.
“Interesting.”
The manager did not like that word.
It sounded as though the woman was studying her.
“I can arrange a brochure.”
“I don't need one.”
“Then perhaps—”
“I’d like to sit in the car.”
The manager almost laughed.
“No.”
The answer came too quickly.
The woman’s eyebrows lifted.
“No?”
“Not without qualification.”