The Mommy Makeover. Bonnie K. Winn

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СКАЧАТЬ safe distance away, it hadn’t come from outside. Which left his passenger.

      Craning his neck around, Finn looked in the back but didn’t see her. Doubting she’d bailed out, he stared straight down—into Katelyn’s furious face. Crumpled into a heap, she was wedged on the floor between the seat and the bar.

      “Where did you learn to drive? Beirut?” Katelyn asked as she pulled herself up and onto the seat.

      “Didn’t you have your seat belt on?”

      “Are you suggesting that your erratic driving is somehow my fault? Because my seat belt wasn’t fastened?”

      “Of course not. But you should have it on.” Finn held up a hand to stave off her protests. “For your own safety. Sorry about the quick stop. I’m a little tired this morning. Guess my reflexes aren’t up to par.”

      “Mr. Malloy, my firm hired you to drive. I suggest you get your reflexes back on line.” She palmed the goose egg forming on her forehead. “Or I’ll be forced to find another firm.”

      Finn swallowed his automatic response and his jaw ticked with the effort to keep it still. Not trusting himself to speak, he clamped his lips tightly together as he shoved a tape into the player.

      The truth was, he needed this contract desperately. This morning was a glaring example. As a single father, Finn relied on the flexibility of having his own business. He also needed a steady contract that would guarantee to cover the limo payment, insurance and costs. And most of those contracts went to the bigger firms. It was a miracle that he’d gotten the call from Ellington. He couldn’t blow the job because the ice princess was a pain. He supposed her orderly life didn’t have any messy complications. Certainly nothing as unpredictable as children.

      As promised, Finn delivered her to the Republic Bank Building ahead of schedule—a full ten minutes early. But even though he pointedly glanced at his watch as she exited the car, she didn’t comment.

      “Did Daniel give you today’s schedule?” she asked instead.

      “He faxed it to me.”

      “Then you know I have a steady stream of meetings all day.”

      “Yes.”

      “Fine. It’ll be a full day, then.”

      “So it seems,” he replied, managing a reasonably charming smile.

      She looked at him, searching for sarcastic undertones, then decided to let it go. Gripping her briefcase, she headed inside the building for meeting number one.

      Finn watched her walk away, thinking she was true to form. He wasn’t any more significant to her than the dozens of strangers crowding the sidewalk. In fact, if the limo could operate on automatic pilot he doubted she would miss his presence.

      Clamping on his hat, he set the alarm on his watch for two hours from now, then climbed inside the car. If he was going to do battle with the ice princess, he had to get some z’s.

      STEFANIE LANGSTON paused in front of Daniel’s desk, perching her slim, elegant body on the one empty corner, languidly swinging her impressive legs. Daniel smiled in appreciation as he rapidly concluded his phone call.

      “This must be my lucky day,” Daniel told her as he hung up the phone, his eyes resting on her beautiful face.

      She smiled, raising her brows ever so slightly. “Of course, dear boy.”

      Then they both grinned, accustomed to this banter.

      “She in?” Stefanie asked, referring to Katelyn.

      “Yep. And your timing’s exceptional. She should be off this conference call any minute now.”

      Stefanie nodded, then her expression grew thoughtful. “That’s good.”

      Daniel picked up on her changing mood. “Something wrong?”

      Again she nodded. “You remember that talk we had a while back? About how Katelyn’s been all work and no play?”

      Daniel nodded cautiously. Although he and Stefanie had an easy, friendly rapport, he didn’t want to confide his plan to her.

      “Well, I think it’s getting worse. I asked her the other day if she’d met anyone interesting and she told me she’d stopped looking.” She met Daniel’s eyes. “And that can’t be good. In fact, I can’t remember the last time Katelyn was excited about someone she was dating.”

      “True,” he agreed. “And she’s not acting much like herself anymore.”

      “I read you, Daniel. She’s edgy, impatient, and I think she’s forgotten how to laugh.” Stefanie narrowed her eyes knowingly. “But I don’t have to tell you. She can’t be a lot of fun to work for these days.”

      That much Daniel was willing to admit. “You’re right. I’m worried about her.”

      “Me, too.” Stefanie pulled her perfectly arched brows together. “Frankly, I think she needs to meet someone new, someone she can’t dismiss. Someone who could turn into a significant other.”

      Daniel looked at her in surprise. “You’re advocating marriage?”

      “Okay, so I’m no Betty Crocker, but Katelyn’s not like me. I grew up with all the traditional trappings and I know it’s there if I choose that road—” She grinned wickedly in self-derision “—or not. But Katelyn thinks she’s not cut out for the serious stuff, and I disagree. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be reexamining her decision to remain married only to her career.”

      Daniel hadn’t counted on an ally in Stefanie. “So you think she might need a push in the right direction?”

      Her eyes lit up. “Precisely.” She adopted her best mock alluring expression. “I knew I liked you, Daniel.”

      “It’s mutual. And who better to nudge her in the right direction than us?”

      Stefanie grinned. “Exactly. We can be discreet, thoughtful…” she paused with a wicked grin. “And pushy.”

      Katelyn’s office door swung open. “Hey, Stef. What’re you doing here?”

      “I thought I’d kidnap you for lunch.”

      Katelyn automatically glanced at her watch. “I wish I could, but I don’t have time for lunch today.”

      “Maybe dinner then?”

      Katelyn shook her head. “I’m booked tonight, too.”

      “Hot date?”

      Katelyn laughed cryptically. “Date? What’s that? Nope, this is strictly business.” As she spoke, Katelyn reached for the stack of messages on Daniel’s desk.

      As she did, Stefanie exchanged a look with Daniel.

      “Okay, I sense a brush-off when I hear it,” Stefanie replied.

      “It’s not that, Stef, really. You know СКАЧАТЬ