Free Hers by Dawn Robertson Page A

gorged on unhealthy street-cart food from the Halal cart at the corner, and crashed, but not before downing a bottle of white wine, alone. That makes me an alcoholic, huh?
    My car pulls up to the curb, outside the Alexander Mobile building, and I let out a sigh before exiting the safety of my uncomplicated car and heading back into the best and worst fucking business deal I’ve ever made. This morning, Olivia will be joining me, finally.
    I brush down my black pencil skirt, while I make sure the aqua blouse is still neatly tucked in. My black Manolo heels echo through the prodigious lobby as I wave to the security guys, and catch the available elevator before the doors close.
    Over the weekend, Olivia had my interior designer in to overhaul the outdated office. Mr. Stern was officially gone, so they politely packed up all he’d left behind, which will be removed before the close of the day. The elevator doors open to my floor, and I make a beeline for my office. I have half an hour to catch up, and to ensure Olivia is comfortable, before I have to deal with my Monday morning board meeting.
    As I round the corner, I spot Olivia sitting at her desk, flanked by a balding asshole, flirting with her. None other than Daniel Alexander, of course. Just goes to show the kind of creep he apparently still is.
    “Good morning, Olivia.” I whisk past, completely ignoring Daniel, and slam my office door closed.
    My anger can't hold long, because the office is everything I always wanted. Mikal completely knocked this impromptu project out of the park. The slim white desk sits center on the far glass wall, looking out over the city. The colors mesh perfectly. Feminine without looking like Victoria’s Secret vomited all over the modest space. The carpet is black, the accent chairs are a classy, vintage shade of turquoise, and by God, the couch looks comfortable enough to sleep on. Which I will probably be doing often enough.
    A note sits on the desk, with a single pink daisy.

Seven,
I hope you enjoy the office. I had fun with this project, despite your usual, unreasonable time-frame. Always a pleasure.
Mikal
    “Damn, if that man wasn't gay, I would marry him,” I mumble under my breath.
    My intercom buzzes and Olivia giggles on the other end, not realizing the intercom has connected yet. “Miss James?” she asks hesitantly through the line, clearly sensing I was pissed off when I bound into the office a few moments ago.
    “Yes, Livie?”
    “You have an urgent message. Can I bring it in?” Urgent? Great. All I need!
    “Yes, Livie,” I say and kill the intercom. I set up my laptop while I wait for her to make her way in. The door opens, and she stands on the threshold. “Come in; who is the message from?”
    She starts to read the notice, making her way across the room to hand it to me. “It is a message from the London manufacturing office. There is a problem with Alexander Mobile production.” The last fucking words I want to hear. Ever. She hands the note over with the full details of the problem. I eye it, while she fidgets with her chin length blonde hair, brushing it down with her hands, before doing the same to her cream-colored business suit.
    “Okay, I need travel set up. Book accommodations for two. I’ll get back to you in an hour as to what board member is coming with me. I want the Empire Suite at the Cafe Royal hotel in London. If it is unavailable, I’ll settle for the Club Suite.”
    I pick up the phone, dialing the president of operations in London as Livie exits quickly to prepare my arrangements. Damn it all to Hell. I don't want to go anywhere, especially with any of the fucking board members.

    “I can't travel, doctor’s orders,” one of the older gentlemen says, excusing himself from the travel obligations.
    “I have a three day vacation booked,” Daniel jumps in thankfully, because the idea of traveling anywhere with him, especially overseas, has my blood absolutely boiling. What a fucking