Free A Twist of Fate by T. Gephart

Was
I giving off some weird pheromone?
    “Is something
wrong?” I asked, slightly perturbed by his glance.
    “Hmmmmmm,” he
commenced “James told me about what you did for Mike here... how
you saved his life.”
    “Yes,” I said,
not fully comprehending where he was going with this.
    “You pulled him
from the wreck. Administered CPR. You made a tourniquet out of your
shirt to stop the bleeding in his leg.” It was like each word hung
in his mouth, caressed by his tongue before it slid out
effortlessly. He still had a hint of his Nordic accent. God this
man was hot. He unnerved me so I slipped into defence mode.
    “Thanks for the
re-cap Alex, but I do remember - I was there. Is there something in
particular you wanted to ask me about?” I watched the corners of
his mouth twitch, he was making me squirm and he was enjoying
it!
    Damn he was
good at this game. It was almost like looking into a mirror; the
smooth, level tone, the same self-assurance, each word dripping in
open ended possibilities but to the untrained ear seemed nothing
more than conversation. The casual smile, the eyes engaging my
gaze... a manoeuvre I had perfected over the years, was now being
reflected right back at me.
    “Well... I was
just thinking.” He paused for effect “It’s a pretty extreme measure
that was undertaken by Mike here to get your top off... I’m not
sure I condone his behaviour but now that I’ve seen you, I
understand,” he concluded.
    My mouth
dropped open and I heard gasps from Jackson and Mike.
    “Alex!” James
barked “Outside... now!”
    “No, No. It’s
okay.” I assured James as I put my best game face on. “Why Alex,
that is very flattering,” I breathed. “If poor Mike wasn’t still in
such a precarious state I’d take my top off right now, seeing as he
missed it the first time.” I slid my hand provocatively to the hem
of my top. I heard the beeps on Mike’s heart monitor speed up
slightly as his face flushed bright red.
    Alex dissolved
in fits of laughter. “I like this one, we should keep her
around.”
    “Well if she
can handle you, I’m guessing she can handle anyone.” James smiled
back, enjoying the fact I had cracked Alex’s steely facade.
    “Indeed she
can,” he gleamed. “Although at the risk of changing the topic and
talking business, we need to decide what we are going to do about
the rest of these shows. Chris has been on the phone with me all
morning and you know I hate talking on the phone.”
    “Well, we need
a new opening band, Jacks can’t play and the guys don’t want to do
it without him,” James responded. I was surprised they were having
this conversation while I was in the room. Jackson looked about
nervously; I focused my eyes on him and gave him my best “it will
be okay” smile.
    “You guys need
a band?” I asked. Both men turned toward me as if suddenly
remembering I was there. “I can get you a band” I fished into my
handbag and pulled out a business card. “Here, call Jamie. He’s an
agent here in Melbourne. He has everything from corporate bands to
garage bands and everything in between. He owes me a favour because
I planned his daughter’s 16th birthday party.”
    James inspected
the card. “You know any good PR firms? We fired our local
representation after they leaked news of Mike’s accident to the
press.”
    “Are you
shitting me?” I almost choked. I reached back into my bag and
grabbed my business card out and handed it James.
    “Lexi Reed,
Cole Public Relations and Events” James read aloud.
    “Well, I stand
corrected... it seems saving Mike was a rather extreme way for Ms
Reed to get a job interview” Alex chuckled.
    “Congratulations Lexi Reed of Cole Public Relations and Events. I
believe your services have just been retained” James announced.
     
     
     

Chapter 9 – R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
    Yesterday had
been such a whirlwind. I went straight from the hospital to the
office to inform Kate of the unexpected new account I had