Free Get Bunny Love by Kathleen Long

for her bunny slippers and a cup of hot chamomile tea.
    “His bark is worse than his bite.” Bert’s voice rang out close and soft.
    She spun to face him, shaking her head. “I blew it today.”
    He pursed his lips. “You’re good for this firm. We could use some shaking up.”
    She frowned disbelievingly.
    “About your box of tricks.” Bert winked. “They’re fine under your desk. They’ve proven quite useful thus far.” He pulled the basketball hoop from behind his back. “We left this in the conference room. Wouldn’t want it to disappear.”
    She took the plastic rim from his hands and tucked it into the box. When she turned back to face him, she rolled her eyes. “This day has been a disaster.”
    “Not at all.” He glanced at his watch. “You’d better hurry up before you’re late to your meeting. And, Bunny?”
    “Yes.”
    A genuine smile warmed his face. “Welcome to McNulty Events. I’m glad you’re here.”

 
     
    CHAPTER SIX
    Bunny fought the urge to squirm. She sat alone, separate from the other residents who’d gathered in the Wellington Arms’s lounge for the Condo Board meeting. The room felt stuffier than usual, and she couldn’t help but think what a simple rearrangement of the furniture could accomplish.
    The six members of the Condo Board panel sat at the front of the room with Thurston Monroe leading the charge. Not one strand of the man’s slick, silver hair fell out of place. His tweed jacket, paisley ascot and gavel completed his perfect, upper-class ensemble.
    While Bunny waited for Monroe to call her name, she eyed the bright, red object clinging to the side of her pump. A crushed candy-coated chocolate. Another subtle reminder of Alexandra’s surprise invasion. Honestly, if not for sugar and caffeine, the woman would shrivel up and die.
    Greeting cards . Bunny winced, trying to flick off the sticky candy by batting one shoe against the other. Her mother had come back to Philadelphia to write greeting card verses. This from a woman who had devoted her life to maintaining the perfect home for the perfect husband in the perfect lifestyle.
    Why couldn’t she have gone to California to take out her midlife crisis on Vicki? She and her boring family probably would have welcomed the excitement. Yawn . The only creative energy Bunny’s sister had ever experienced had been the birth of her son. Now that kid showed much chaotic promise.
    “Miss Love.”
    Bunny snapped to attention. Monroe’s tone sounded even crankier than usual.
    “Were you planning on joining us anytime soon?” he continued. “Or were you going to bang your feet together all night?”
    Heat flushed Bunny’s cheeks and she quickly straightened, doing her best to appear polished and responsible.
    A few minutes later, she felt as though the interrogation had been going on for hours.
    “What about your income level for financing?” Thurston asked. “I don’t see how a freelance...whatever it is you are...can gain approval.”
    “Actually, I’m employed full time now.” Bunny held her chin high and straightened her spine. “I’m proud to say I’m the newest event coordinator at McNulty Events.”
    Thurston’s gray brows met in a peak. “Martha’s firm?”
    Bunny did a mental eye roll. What did these wealthy people have? A private club?
    “Yes.” She offered her best I-will-be-the-best-condo-owner-you’ve-ever-seen smile.
    “Impressive.” Thurston nodded while making a notation on a lined pad of paper. “The firm is quite selective.”
    Yes , Bunny cheered silently. Willie Simpson winked quickly. This was good. Very good.
    “Of course there was that unfortunate incident with the lobby furniture.” Thurston’s voice dropped to a low grumble.
    Bunny winced. So close . She’d been seconds away from an approval. She just knew it.
     “Well,” Bunny paused for a moment, concentrating on controlling the defensive tone of her voice. Sheesh. How long was Monroe going to hold this grudge?