Free Working It by Cathy Yardley

sure you’re not really a part of the meeting.
    She looked dubious. She pulled a hairbrush through her luxurious curls, quick and business-like, then got a compact out of her purse and dabbed at her face with a few quick, artistic smudges. She looked good to him, but watching her smooth lipstick over her lips made his own mouth go dry. She looked at him, her eyes sharp. Then, she winked. She traded her sneakers for a snazzy pair of low boots and pulled out a blazer.
    He rolled his eyes, gesturing to his watch. “Any time milady is ready,” he muttered.
    â€œYou might not care if you look like you got dressed in the dark,” she said, stowing all her stuff away and smiling at him, “but some of us believe in first impressions.”
    â€œThis isn’t a first impression for me, remember?”
    â€œIt is as president of Robson Steel.”
    He threw up his hands, ignoring the way she sashayed past him. He did have to admit, she looked good.
    When doesn’t she?
    They got to the lobby of the building, similar to Drew’s own. He smiled at the receptionist. “Hi. Rosa?”
    Rosa, a young girl in her twenties, squealed and ran from behind the counter, giving him a big hug. “Drew! We didn’t know when you’d be here.”
    He caught Jade’s look of surprise from over Rosa’s shoulder. “You didn’t schedule this?” Her tone seemed to hold only curiosity, but he could tell from the widening of those mossy-green eyes of hers that she was shocked—and a little disapproving.
    â€œI told Alejandro I’d be here this week,” he said. “I know Alejandro’s schedule. This is Alejandro’s niece, by the way.”
    â€œAh.” Jade smiled at Rosa before shooting another look of surprise at Drew.
    Rosa let go of Drew and looked at Jade. “Who’s this? Your girlfriend?”
    Jade blinked at Rosa.
    â€œAh, no,” Drew said, thinking fast. This was not going to work well at all. He couldn’t talk to Alejandro with Jade sitting there…with the possibility of her piping up and angering the older man.
    He watched as Jade’s disapproval melted into a warm, wide smile. She held out her hand, and Rosa took it. “I’m Jade Morrow,” she said. “I’m…”
    â€œShe’s…uh, a student,” Drew interrupted.
    Both Rosa and Jade turned to look at him, Rosa with a smirk, Jade with a look of utter shock.
    â€œYes. She’s thinking of going into the steel business, and she’s working with Robson. As an intern.” He felt like he was babbling, so he reined it in. “That’s all.”
    â€œAn intern?” Rosa looked at Jade. “Really?”
    â€œApparently,” Jade said, and Drew winced.
    â€œBusiness or engineering?”
    Jade paused for the briefest fraction of a second—and Drew thought the whole thing was shot.
    â€œBusiness,” she finally replied smoothly. “I’m going for my M.B.A. Mr. Robson here has been kind enough to let me tag along on some of his sales calls.”
    â€œSales call?” Rosa laughed. “Good grief. I thought this was just a visit.”
    â€œIs Alejandro free?” Drew prayed he could see him right away.
    â€œSure. He’s on the factory floor. I’ll go get him.” Rosa went to the phone, and he heard her over the intercom. “Tio? Drew’s here in the lobby.” She hung up the phone, then frowned. “I’ll go make sure he gets here.”
    With that, she left Drew alone in the lobby with his very peeved sales coach.
    Jade took a step closer to him, and he could smell her vanilla perfume. “Business student?” Her whisper was a cross between disbelief and anger.
    â€œAlejandro’s a friend. If I tell him I hired a P.R. person and a sales coach, he’ll think I’ve lost my mind,” he replied in a low voice. “It won’t help, believe me. In fact, I