Last Kiss Goodbye. Rita Herron

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ the small office, she had been thrilled.

      Initially the arrangement had worked. Abby had gotten on well with the former owner, an older woman who’d given her tips about the business even though they each had a different focus, and they’d networked together. Abby worked with corporate business professionals because she had helped her ex-husband create a multimillion-dollar enterprise and learned a lot working with him. She had met him directly out of high school and fallen head-over-heels in love. He’d promised her the sun and the moon, and convinced her that she didn’t need to go to college; he’d make enough money to take care of her. She’d lived a Cinderella dream, and had enjoyed her charmed life. And while she’d worked long hours, she saw it as her duty as his wife to help and support him.

      They had traveled the globe and met with millionaires and successful business entrepreneurs. Since her divorce five years ago, and after unsuccessfully looking for work, she decided to go into business for herself and use the skills she had developed. Her client list was growing, but not fast enough to cover her business and living expenses. Unfortunately for her, she’d signed a prenuptial she eventually regretted. If she divorced she would get no alimony, and the property was not to be shared—leaving her with just her wardrobe and the money she had in her personal account. She’d decided that this time she’d make sure she got paid for what she’d done for free in her marriage. She’d made her husband a success, and he’d repaid her by falling for his acupuncturist—and she had ended up with nothing.

      Abby was determined she wouldn’t be bitter. Instead, she’d get her revenge. She’d make all those CEOs, COOs, CFOs pay for the knowledge she had, to help them develop the polish and right image the business culture demanded.

      But then things began to go wrong. Very wrong. Judith wormed her way into being hired by Finishing Touches, Inc., eventually convincing the older woman that she could take over the tasks the former owner no longer wanted to do.

      Abby had accepted the change, although it rankled her having to see Judith every day. A year later, the older woman suddenly retired. Unlike Abby, Judith focused solely on the superficial outer aspect of a person’s image, with no depth. But since she desperately needed the space, Abby didn’t care how Judith did things. She’d hoped to move out within another year since her division had been doing well, until recently.

      That’s when she discovered that Judith had been stealing clients from her. “I’m really hurt that you would accuse me of doing these things,” Judith said.

      Abby flashed a cool grin. “I know since Mrs. Frazier left that you’ve wanted this place to yourself. So I’ve decided I’m going to make that happen.”

      “You’re leaving?”

      “Yes.”

      “But you can’t do that,” she said.

      Abby stared at her, amazed by her passion. “Of course I can.”

      Judith quickly gathered herself together. “I mean, we have an agreement.”

      “That’s coming up for renewal.”

      “You don’t need to be hasty about this. I’m sure there’s just been a misunderstanding somewhere.”

      My first misunderstanding was that you were a decent human being. “No.”

      “Abby, dear, I would hate for something small like this to break up the relationship we have. This is an excellent location and—”

      “You’ll do well.” Abby was in no mood to listen to any more of Judith’s lies. She knew she was crafty, but to deliberately steal her clients? That was a new low, even for her.

      “It was an accident. I wouldn’t have done that to you. You know how much I—”

      “Cut it out. I hate when you do that,” Abby said in a tone that let Judith know she was on to her.

      “Why don’t we start over? I have a couple of clients I haven’t been able to get to yet due to my busy schedule.”

      “We have different clients. I don’t do personal image makeovers. You know I strictly work with business professionals. I’ll leave by the end of the year,” Abby said, then left and went into her office.

      * * *

      Judith watched her go with growing panic. Abby couldn’t leave. She couldn’t afford the space by herself, but she didn’t want to tell her that. Yes, she had been misleading several of Abby’s clients because, for some reason, things had slowed down and she wasn’t bringing in the amount of money she needed, and she had gotten desperate. She had to save face. Damn, she hadn’t thought she’d catch on so quickly. After Mrs. Frazier had left, the business hadn’t been doing well, and there was more interest coming to Abby. It didn’t make sense. Why did anyone need corporate etiquette over personal image makeovers? Besides, she didn’t see that much of a difference in what they did, and, fortunately, neither had the clients who’d come in for consultation. Since they shared the same office and computer system, it hadn’t been hard to access the main data system and change schedules.

      Abby always acted so superior. Judith knew she was prettier, but Abby had a striking beauty that always got a second look. Judith was irritated that although Abby couldn’t afford her own office space, she acted as if she could buy the building if she wanted to. That had always annoyed her, but now she had to convince her to stay. When the phone rang she brushed her problems aside and put on her voice. “Finishing Touches, Judith Watson speaking.”

      “How full is your client list?” a woman asked in a brusque tone.

      “I never turn away business,” Judith said as pleasantly as she could.

      The woman sighed. “You may want to with this one. He needs a major makeover, and might be difficult to work with.”

      Judith lifted her brows, intrigued. “What do you mean by that?”

      “He needs help fast, but I’m not sure he’s convinced yet.”

      “And you are?”

      “His mother. He’s a little rough around the edges, but he’s a good man and I don’t want to set him up for failure if you’re not up for it.”

      Judith thought back to one torturous client she had dealt with. He’d caused her to lose twenty pounds over six months, and refused to pay her at the end because he did not feel that she had met his standard.

      “If you’re interested, he’ll pay well. Money’s not a factor.”

      Yes, she needed the money, but not at this rate. Besides, she preferred working with women more than men, and if his own mother thought he was difficult, Judith knew her time with him would probably be miserable. Why did Abby have to threaten to leave? Abby? Hmm. “Okay, is he in business, by any chance?”

      “Yes, he runs his own company and has just started a new venture.”

      “And his name?”

      “Are you interested in taking him on?”

      “No, but I know someone I can refer him to. A colleague I work with here in the same office. You can rest assured that I’ll be very discreet.”

      “His name is Jason Ward.”

СКАЧАТЬ