Kimber Chin

“That Carr?” Mr. Michaels asked as Anne hung up the receiver.

“Yes.” It had been, checking in on projects, Stevie in Nevada. Anne kept her expression neutral, masking her sympathy. “Everything should be wrapped up by early next week.” Stevie’s mother not expected to last the weekend.

“Good, good. Don’t want to have to transfer her files to Preston.”

Anne’s eyes widened. Stevie would go bezerk. Preston, that male chauvinist pig, hated Stevie.

“No need for that, sir.” Eric bounded up, a grin on his face, only the dark circles under his eyes attesting to the long nights they had both been pulling. “Everything’s on track.”

The partner narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Never known you two to work together before. You got your sights on Carr’s leads?”

Eric shrugged. “Trying to gain any advantages I can, sir. I plan to give her a run for the leadership award this year.”

“Do you?” A slow smile. “You have your work cut out then. Consumer goods,” Eric’s specialty, “hasn’t the returns tech does.”

“Nope.” He didn’t seem to mind. “And if this project comes through…”

“That big, huh?” Mr. Michaels’ face lit up. “She won’t tell me what it is.”

“Doesn’t want to get any hopes up. You know how it is.” Another shrug. “Could be nothing. Could be something.”

“That’s our girl. Playing it close to the chest.” The partner chuckled as he wandered off.

“Very close.” Eric winked at Anne.

Find Out What Eric’s Game Is November 5th

$Read more about how Anne uses her training in Breach Of Trust, Available Now In Print and eBook!!

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Tonight I’ll wow you
with dinner.
I had nothing in my fridge
except beer and week old pizza
so
I hurried to Tesco,
picking up enough groceries for two.

I have on a great jacket,
a dress shirt,
slightly worn jeans
and an expensive pair of shoes.
It says
trying but not too hard.

Oh, and don’t expect to see this wide grin tonight.
I’ll play it cool
and you’ll never know
how happy I was you said yes.

I could write a novel based on this photo.

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“James, you’re not quite the f**k up, I thought you’d be.”

“Thank you.” Anne beamed, accepting it as the hard won compliment Stevie intended it to be. This late night was worth it, to hear that.

“We’re hearing a pitch next week. If you keep your mouth shut and…” The phone rang before Stevie could finish that promising statement. She answered with a blunt ‘Carr.’ Silence. Anne squirmed, knowing better than to leave. “Yes.” “When?” The woman’s beautiful face crumpled. A scary thing to see. Stevie careful never to show a weak emotion like grief. A few more one word questions and answers and the receiver was replaced. Stevie stared into space, eyes unfocussed.

“Go get that jacka$$.” Her voice cracked.

Anne hustled. That Stevie would ask for Eric said it all. It was an emergency.

“Eric, Stevie,” she huffed, hanging onto the doorframe, not knowing what to say.

It didn’t matter. One look at Anne’s face and Eric ran. Anne followed at a slower pace. Would Stevie need her? She should… Anne stepped into Stevie’s office. Eric sat on the desk, back to the door, blocking any view of her boss.

“Stevie?”

A wet sound, suspiciously like a sob.

“Something has come up. I’ll be covering Stevie’s projects for the next week or so, James.” Eric didn’t even turn his head.

“No.” A strangled protest.

“Yes.” A coo from Eric. “I’ll tell them you’re working on a special project. No one will know. If anything, you’ll garner more respect.” Something Anne couldn’t make out. The man bent forward. “Let me do this for you, Stevie.”

“I’ll help.” Anne didn’t know what was happening but she’d do what she could.

Eric chuckled. “See that, James will help too. And I promise not to get her fired.” Anne heard a ‘f**k’. “You don’t have to do this alone, sweetheart.”

Well manicured hands reached around the back of Eric’s jacket, clenching the fabric. Anne backed out of the office, closing the door behind them.

Find Out What Happened To Stevie October 29th

$Read more about how Anne uses her training in Breach Of Trust, Available Now In Print and eBook!!

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