Mr. Strictly Business by Day Leclaire

Author:Day Leclaire [Leclaire, Day]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Contemporary, Fiction, Romance, General, Man-Woman Relationships, Businesswomen, Businessmen
ISBN: 9780373769216
Publisher: Silhouette
Published: 2009-01-02T05:00:00+00:00

Six

T hey accomplished the brief ride from the apartment to Piretti’s in silence. Catherine appeared a little paler than Gabe liked, but whether it was the result of the upcoming meeting with her partner, or because of their argument, he wasn’t certain. Perhaps a bit of both.

Roxanne was already at her desk when they arrived, and he watched with interest as the two women exchanged a long look. Another brewing problem, one he needed to think about before determining how best to resolve it.

They entered his office just as Catherine’s cell phone rang. “Excuse me a minute,” she murmured. After answering the call, she listened at length, her expression growing more and more concerned. “Thanks. I’ll take it from here.”

“Problem?” he asked once she’d disconnected the call.

“I have the Collington wedding scheduled for a week from tomorrow. The bride just called in to cancel our services.”

“At this late date?”

Catherine shook her head. “Obviously, she heard about what happened at the Marconis’ and it’s panicked her. Di—my partner managed to get her to agree to meet with me for lunch.”

“I’ll go with you.”

To his surprise, she didn’t argue. “Normally, I’d be able to handle it. Brides are often in crazy mode by now. I’m used to it.”

“But trying to calm her down after hearing about everything that went wrong with Natalie’s party…”

“Will prove challenging. Fortunately, I have an ace in the hole.” She smiled, the first natural one she’d offered since their argument. “You. You’ve always had a way about you, an ability to smooth ruffled feathers.”

“I’ll do my best.” He checked his watch. “Your partner is late.”

“Maybe she hit traffic.”

“You’re sure she’s coming?”

“She was in the city when she called me just now.”

Right on cue, voices reverberated through the thick wooden door panels, one irritated, clearly Roxanne. Gabe winced. His assistant wasn’t at her best this morning. The other, a voice he’d known for every one of this thirty-three years, snapped back with impatient authority. His office door banged open, and his mother paused with her hand on the knob.

“I know the way into my own son’s office, Roxy,” she informed Gabe’s assistant.

“It’s Roxanne.”

“Well, maybe when you’ve worked here awhile I’ll remember your name.”

Gabe could see his assistant visibly struggling to hang on to her composure. She managed it. Barely. “He has a meeting scheduled, Mrs. Piretti. And just to set the record straight, I’ve worked here for three years, as I’m certain you’re well aware.”

“Huh. Could have sworn you were one of those annoying temps.” With that Dina slammed the door in Roxanne’s face. Turning, she offered a broad, delighted smile. “Gabriel, Catherine. It’s so good to see the two of you together again. Give me a minute to just stand here and enjoy the view.”

Gabe’s lips twitched. “I’m sorry, Mom, but Roxanne was right. We’re waiting for Catherine’s business partner to join us in order to—” He broke off as the connection clicked into place, a connection he would have made long ago if he hadn’t been so distracted by the apprehensive woman standing at his side.

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