“We’re all good buddies with him, although we dream about becoming more.” Jackie released a hopeful sigh.
After hearing the description, Breanna shook her head in disbelief. Sounded to her like this man was a figment of their imaginations. No man could be that perfect. “Okay, now I know why you’re all acting like a bunch of escaped lunatics, so I’ll let you get back to what you were doing.” She sat in her chair, hoping to concentrate on the article she had to finish editing, but the voices of her co-workers disturbed her thoughts.
She cleared her throat loudly. “Could you please simmer down your enthusiasm just enough so that I can think over here?”
Within minutes, the cackling geese settled and Breanna finally was able to get back to her article. She glanced at the clock hanging on her wall. She had only thirty minutes remaining. She groaned. The closest she’d ever come to a deadline.
Placing her fingers on the keyboard, she continued with her work, expertly picking out the mistakes and correcting them. Her title as the magazine’s text programmer gave her no room for errors. The magazine,Upbeat,had a reputation to uphold, and she wasn’t going to be the one to destroy it.
She finished the last sentence and leaned back in her chair, breathing out a sigh of relief. Clicking the save button on her computer, she then emailed the file to her supervisor. As she turned around, she caught the pitiful glances of her co-workers. When they realized she was looking, they quickly moved their gazes.
It didn’t take a genius to know they were talking behind her back. Again.
With eyes downcast, she walked past them toward the hallway. She wished they could accept her for who she was.
Passing the twin glass doors entering into the receptionist area, she caught her reflection. She wore her normal drab colored dress and low-heeled shoes. As always, her hair was pulled back from her face and secured with a rubber band. Squaring her shoulders, she shifted her gaze back to the floor and dragged herself toward the supervisor’s room.
She knocked on his open door. “Terry?” He looked up from his work and met her stare. “I just wanted to let you know I’m done, and I emailed you the file.”
Her middle-aged boss shook his head. Running his fingers through the receding hair that would turn him bald in a couple of years, he glanced at the clock on the wall. “Ahead of schedule, once again.”
“Well, today I’m cutting it short. The hyped-up women in the office distracted my concentration.”
He nodded. “Yes. I couldn’t help but overhear that Todd’s son is in the building.”
“I don’t understand why everybody is going berserk.” She shrugged. “They’re acting like it’s the end of the world if their hair is not perfect, or their makeup is slightly smudged.”
A loud laugh escaped him. “I take it you haven’t met Brad Montgomery?”
“No.”
“Then save your opinion until you meet him because I’m sure it’ll change. I don’t know one woman who hasn’t gone gaa-gaa over him.”
She shook her head sadly. “Don’t count on me being one of them.”
“Most women like him because he’s a billionaire, but he does have good looks and charm, too.”
She widened her eyes. “A billionaire?”
“Yes. If you can believe it, the son actually makes more money than his father.”
That was amazing, especially since Todd Montgomery was the richest guy she knew.
“Well, now that you’re done with this assignment,” Terry said, “would you hate me too much if I gave you another? Todd threw me for a loop this afternoon, and I need this article done by the end of the day. You’re the only one I can trust to get it done on time.”
She smiled. “Of course, I can.”
“I’ll email it to you.” He smiled. “And thanks, I owe you.”
“This is my job, remember?” She left without hearing his answer.
When she re-entered her office, the giggling females had finally mellowed and were sitting at their desks, but Breanna doubted they had accomplished much. Pity they weren’t workaholics like herself.
Just as her bottom touched the cushioned seat, the glass doors by her cubicle opened and someone walked in. Before she had time to look, a man’s musky cologne caught her off guard...and smelled vaguely familiar.
“Hello, ladies.”
She glanced toward his direction and heard the heavy sighs of her co-workers. “Brad.”
