Free Bliss by Holly Hood, Maven West Page B

most were starving trying to pay their bills.
    I leaned over the desk. “Fax machine is down again. Here is your paperwork.”
    The young girl smiled taking the paper. “Thanks.”
    I didn’t know her well. “ You’re welcome. Is there anything you need me to bring back with me?”
    She raked a hand through her hair staring down at the pile of paperwork in front of her. “I have no idea. This is my first week and I am swamped.”
    I felt for her. I couldn’t imagine the stress of handling so many types of people.
    “Morgan,” Mr. Cosgrove said coming from his office. He carried a coffee mug in one hand a file in the other.
    I gave a wave. “Hi, Mr. Cosgrove.”
    “ Were you here to try out for the damsel in distress role today?” He joked.
    I smirked, that was never going to happen. “ Nope. Just here because our fax machine bailed on us again.”
    Mr. Cosgrove fix ed his tie. “Have you talked to Ana today?”
    I shook my head. “No, but I saw her the other night.”
    “She’s yet again surprised me and her mother.” He leaned against the counter, resting his coffee cup on the marble. “I didn’t know she was seeing anyone, let alone getting married. What do you think of this young man?”
    I raised an eyebrow, dropping my hands to my sides. “What do you mean, Mr. Cosgrove?” He had to be mistaken.
    “Carter Sterling.  She brought him to the house for dinner a few days ago, and now she calls to tell me she’s engaged. I didn’t even see it coming, especially since I pulled several strings to get him in front of some very important people.”
    I shook my head dumbstruck. It had to be a mistake. Carter and Ana getting married, that made no sense at all. “She never said anything to me , Mr. Cosgrove.”
    He nodded. “Well, she’s heading over to bring me lunch, maybe if you wait around you two can iron out the details.”
    I waved a shocked hand watching him head for his office. Carter fucking Sterling, if that wasn’t his middle name it should have been.
    I turned, running a hand through my hair, waiting for an elevator to open up so I could get the hell out of the agency and back to work. The elevator dinged.
    “Morgan,” Ana said.
    “Ana,” I said back dryly. “Sorry, I have to go back to work.”
    She stared me down, her nose wrinkling. “Another fax malfunction?”
    I nodded, carving a trail through my hair with my fingers.
    “Everything alright?” She touched my arm. “I need to talk to you. Something important.”
    I didn’t even want to hear it. I wanted nothing to do with her news. But what was I supposed to say? I don’t want you to marry Carter because I want a chance to get to know him better?
    “Carter and I, we sort of got engaged.” She smiled, shoving h er ring in my face. A ring more impressive than one I ever got. “He’s on cloud nine ever since he landed his role. And I think my dad loves him.”
    I swallowed. “I guess congrats are in order. So congrats, I hope you two are happy together.”
    Ana nodded, biting her lip. It wasn’t the reaction she expected. “Would you be my maid of honor?”
    I looked away, a sigh escaping. “Sure.” Anything to make her stop talking about the worst mistake she could ever make.
    She squeezed my arm. “I knew you’d say yes.”
    I let out a long slow sigh. “When’s the date?”
    “I’m not sure. We haven’t set it in stone. A few months maybe. You like him right?”
    I raised an eyebrow. “Carter?”
    Ana nodded.
    “Sure, I do. But that doesn’t mean I think you should jump right into marriage with him.” It slipped out before I could help it. “You hardly know him.”
    Ana smiled. “I’m not getting any younger. You were married for three years before Eric died. What’s the big deal?”
    The big deal was Carter was not the guy for Ana. And she didn’t deserve him or anyone with what she did to me.
    “Some things in life aren’t all they seem, Ana,” I said. She would know that better than anyone.
    Ana