Free Aint too proud to beg sfdg-1 by Susan Donovan Page A

getting along, she said in that wavering voice. Its a little too quiet for my taste, of course. Ira was such a talker. He always had something to say to the TV people, especially that Bill OReilly fellow.
    He never cared for him.
    Josie nodded.
    I hate to say it, but if Ira werent already dead, last nights Fox News lineup would have done him in for sure.
    I see.
    Im thinking about selling the house.
    Josie glanced at Denise in a silent plea for help. The receptionist smiled.
    Conference Room A is open. Would you like me to send in coffee?
    Josie nodded at Denise in gratitude. That would be fabulous.
    Id prefer tea, Mrs. Needleman said, pushing herself from the sofa with little difficulty. Shed come to the paper dressed in a blue wool jumper over a beige polyester blouse tied in a bow at the neck. She had on pearl clip earrings, and carried a stiff patent leather bag with a huge snap closure, an accessory so ancient it had become ultrachic again. Her hair had been recently permed and styled. She wore an old-fashioned, flowery perfume. Josie watched her march toward Conference Room A as if shed been there before, then flick the light switch inside the doorway.
    The fluorescent bulbs blinked on.
    This will be lovely. Mrs. Needleman motioned toward one of the swivel chairs. Have a seat, Miss Sheehan, and you can tell me all about your progress over a nice cup of tea.
    Gwen Anders slammed down the phone and paced in her office. Why had Rick distanced himself so? Was it Margots death? Of course not. Hed started limiting his contact with Gwen long before that, as if he wanted their relationship to be less casual, less personal. Shed cried several months back when he told her, from that point forward, to make an appointment before stopping by the Celestial Pet offices. He said it was about keeping his corporation and his foundation separate. She knew it had nothing to do with any of that nonsense. He was trying to push her away.
    He was trying to avoid her.
    Did he think she didnt notice? Did he think it was acceptable?
    Gwen brought both hands to her chest and tried to steady her breathing.
    Now was not the time to panic. She couldnt allow emotions to cause her to be sloppy. Now was the time for precision and focus. With concentration, she could bring it all together. It was taking longer than she expected, but it could still go according to plan. If she could just hang on a little longer, Rick would wake up and see that Gwen was what he needed and wanted.
    Shed done everything right. Shed been patient as a saint. Chaste as a nun. Discreet as a priest. Above reproach in her management of the foundation and in all her personal affairs. There was nothing/nothing/that Rick could find objectionable about her lifestyle.
    Even Teeny Worrell hadnt found anything on her. Shed made sure of it.
    Gwen had been loyal to Rick in the extreme. Shed turned down several outstanding job offers and a very generous proposal from Ricks nemesis, Bennett Cummings, who was perpetually looking for a chink in Ricks armor. Of course she was above such bribery. She ignored Cummings.
    Was it her looks?
    Gwen smiled to herself, breathing easier now. She was flawless. That was the only word for it, really. Her weight and muscle tone were perfect.
    Her hair, skin, and teeth were in top form, radiant with health. Her clothing, shoes, bags, accessoriesall impeccable. Nothing overstated.
    Nothing that screamed money or status, which, of course, indicated she had both and needed neither.
    So what had she missed in this equation? Why on earth had Rick Rousseau never once shown a flicker of interest, in all these years? She was well aware of his tragic pastin fact, it was an essential ingredient to his overall appealbut /please/. The man was only flesh and blood. This couldnt go on much longer, could it?
    Of course not. That would mean shed miscalculated horribly. And Gwen Anders didnt miscalculate.
    One by one, the senior managers of Celestial Pet Superstores rose from