Last Kiss Goodbye. Rita Herron

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СКАЧАТЬ several years ago and had spent time in prison. She gave a low whistle. “I’ll make an appointment for tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. Will that work?”

      “I’ll let him know.” The woman disconnected.

      Judith hung up the phone and couldn’t help a smile. She did a little dance in her office, then smoothed down her hair and clothes and walked over to Abby’s suite.

      “I don’t want any hard feelings between us,” Judith said, entering and taking a seat.

      ‘“I don’t have any feelings at all,” Abby said, not looking up from what she was doing.

      Judith fought not to grit her teeth. “I just got a new client, who I thought of referring to you, but if you’re not interested...” She began to stand.

      “I didn’t say that.”

      Judith leaned back, trying not to look too satisfied. She’d gloat later. “He’s very wealthy and starting a brand-new business. I know that’s your area. If you think you can handle him.”

      “I can handle anyone.”

      “Don’t be overconfident.”

      Abby narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean? I’m good at what I do.”

      “He may be too much for you. I hear he can be a bit of a bully.”

      “I can turn a tiger into a pussycat. Who is he?”

      “Jason Ward.”

      Judith watched her with interest. She could almost see Abby’s mind working and trying to place him. To her delight, she didn’t. “So, why does he need you?”

      “As I said, he’s starting a new business, and while I can help him with his image, I thought you might be a better match, since you’re into corporate business and stuff. Besides, he’s offering a lot of money.”

      “How much?”

      Judith threw out a ballpark figure, just to get Abby interested.

      “That’s a lot of money to pass up. And that’s not like you.”

      “I’ll take the case if you want. I’m only telling you this as a show of good faith. I really hate you thinking that I was doing something so unethical, such as stealing clients from you. I mean, we are family and—”

      “Fine,” Abby cut in, not wanting to talk about the tumultuous relationship she shared with her sister.

      “Good, I’ll give him your number, but only on one condition.”

      “What?”

      “You’ll stay. If you can change Jason Ward in six weeks, I’ll cover the cost for your office suite for the next six months.” Judith knew it was a gamble since she wouldn’t be able to afford it, but she was already convinced Abby wouldn’t succeed.

      “Okay.”

      Judith smiled and held up a finger to indicate that she wasn’t finished. “But if you don’t succeed in changing him within six weeks, you’ll sign for another two years.” Judith knew she had baited Abby. Abby hated to pass up a challenge. “So, you’ll make sure he’s scandal-free and the darling of the business world by the end of six weeks?”

      “You can count on it.”

      * * *

      Abby knew the snake was up to something, but she didn’t care. Jason Ward would be a coup for her. After Judith left, she looked him up on her computer and then gripped her hands into fists when his handsome face came on the screen. That Jason Ward! He would be a nightmare. The man who refused to wear suits, who only wore two colors, who cursed with a fluency that would make a sailor blush. Uncouth, uncultured and undeniably intriguing. A man who kept his private life guarded. And a man who reminded her of someone. Oh, no...the man from the restaurant!

      Abby stood and kicked a chair in frustration. Outside, a late October wind brushed past her window. Judith had set her up for failure. But the fact that he was seeking help meant that he wanted a change, and in spite of herself, she was confident she could help him. Besides, a referral from him would open doors she could only imagine. Her unorthodox methods may be just what he needed. Abby could already see herself affording a new apartment and car. She wanted to regain the life she’d lost after her divorce, and Jason Ward was the key.

Chapter 3

      As Jason rode the elevator, he kept asking himself why he had allowed his mother to make the appointment. She had reminded him that it was time for him to work on his professional demeanor.

      “You have to get a handle on your temper,” she had said to him when he’d changed his mind about the consultation. She had been trying to help him rein in his temper since the day she had adopted him. “I wish there was a man in the house to show you how to behave sometimes.” Jason had resented her insinuation that he needed a man to show him how to be one. But he knew he needed help.

      Sure, he could make money, but SENTEL was the second business he had lost. He remembered the recycling business he’d started with a friend during high school. It had done well, financially, but his temper and mood swings had caused them to break up. He started SENTEL, Inc. after the tragic loss of his girlfriend, Gwen, and had had that stolen from him. Although the members of the board listed his personality as a reason for his dismissal, he knew there was more. In addition to his temper, he knew he also lacked tact. But he hadn’t been tactless with that Armstrong woman.

      While Dennis had no objection to crossing the line with married women, that was one boundary Jason would not violate. He respected his mother too much. He enjoyed women, all sorts of women, but hated the ones who felt entitled to whatever they wanted, at whatever cost.

      He had found relationships with people in general to be confusing at times, which was why, when he’d had to complete hours for community service in order to graduate from high school, he’d volunteered to work with animals. They didn’t need him to be anything other than himself. When he said “sit,” they understood, unlike the Mrs. Armstrongs of the world who lived by their own rules.

      Jason stepped off the elevator and walked to the office directly in front of him and entered, then stopped when he saw the woman sitting there. He hoped she wasn’t the one. He didn’t like her smile; he didn’t trust her. He’d learned early that there were few women he could—or would—trust.

      “Hello,” she said, stretching out her hand. “You must be Jason Ward.”

      “Yes,” he said, seeing her wince when he shook her hand, even as her smile remained. He found it too wide; her body was too close. He could see her sizing him up—calculating the price of his clothes. She’d be disappointed. If this was Abby Baylor, he’d do the initial consultation and then find someone else.

      “Would you like some coffee?” she asked, gesturing to a seat.

      He sat. “No, I’m fine. Thanks, Ms. Baylor.”

      “Oh, no, that’s not me.”

      Before she could explain further, the other office door СКАЧАТЬ