Secrets of the Lotus. Michelle Garren Flye

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      Josie paused at the reception desk to check for messages. “Mondays suck.”

      Cindy looked up from her own handful of pink slips with amusement. “More for some of us than others, darling.” She turned back to the gray-haired receptionist. “Thank you, Sonya.”

      Josie frowned. “What does that mean?” Her voice sounded curt, even to her own ears. Usually a morning person, her late night had not agreed with her and she felt completely off kilter. Tossing and turning for an hour or more after she finally got in bed didn’t help either, but she’d had a hard time getting her mind off James and when she finally did, it was only to find herself debating Dan’s proposal, all of which left her grumpy, even with her best friend.

      “Not a thing.” Cindy leaned closer. “Except if I’d been out half the night with one of New York’s most handsome eligible bachelors, I’d be a touch less irritable than you, I think.”

      Josie decided to ignore this, turning instead to Sonya. “No messages, Sonya?”

      “They’re on your desk.” Sonya’s eyes twinkled. “With your flowers.”

      “Flowers!” Cindy pounced. “Ooh, it must have been a better night than I thought!” She grinned, elbowed Josie out of the way and raced her to her cubicle. However, even Cindy was brought up short by the size and beauty of the arrangement. “My dear, what the hell did you do to deserve that?”

      “Nothing!” Josie glared at Cindy. “He shouldn’t have done this.” A momentary hope sparked. Maybe he hadn’t. Maybe it was a mistake. “A card.” She pushed past Cindy and Sonya, who had followed. “There must be a card in here somewhere…”

      “On top of your messages.” Sonya pointed just as Josie’s fingers closed on the small white envelope definitely displaying her name.

      “‘I hope you’ve had some time to think it over. Love, Dan.’” Cindy read over Josie’s shoulder. “What does the dear man mean?”

      Josie groaned and put her head down on her desk. “Go away, Cindy. I don’t have any energy for you today.”

      The phone rang. Josie jerked up as Cindy punched the flashing button and picked up the receiver. “Josie Stewart’s desk. Of course, Mr. Mason. I’ll check and see if she’s in yet.” Not bothering to put the line on hold, she held the receiver out to Josie and said loudly, “It’s for you, Josie girl.”

      “Did you get the flowers?” Dan sounded concerned, but Josie noted a hint of amusement in his voice. “Are they all right?”

      “I’m sitting in their shade now.” Josie plucked a rosebud from the arrangement and flung it at Cindy’s retreating back.

      “Good.” His tone changed to one of satisfaction. “I ordered them online. You never know what you’re going to get.”

      “You got your money’s worth. At least, I assume nobody would pay more for flowers than these should have cost. I’m allergic to lilies, by the way.”

      “Is that why you haven’t said thank you?”

      “Thank you.”

      “You’re welcome. Actually, I was calling to warn you.”

      “Warn me about what?”

      “You haven’t seen NY Style yet, have you?”

      Josie sensed hesitation in his voice. She peered around the flowers at the rest of the office. NY Style, their primary competition, came out on Monday mornings. Lamar, Josie’s editor, made it a point to read NY Style at the beginning of every week, scanning it for articles and events his own magazine should have covered the previous week. Her gaze shot to the closed door of his office. “It’s still early, why?”

      “Don’t get mad. I swear I had nothing to do with it.”

      “With what?”

      “Somebody took a picture.”

      “A picture?” She raised her eyebrows, wondering what he meant. There had been photographers all over the entrance to the benefit. “Of us?”

      “Yeah, but not at the benefit.”

      “Not at the benefit?” She felt panic clench a fist СКАЧАТЬ