Free Can't Help Falling in Love by David W. Menefee, Carol Dunitz

he smiled. “I’m counting on you to help us do it,
Allison. You’re the best!”
        
Evidently, he appreciated her. As much as she wanted him to express much more,
she was content for the moment to have his true approval. “Thank you! I’ll do
my best!” she replied sweetly, while grabbing the opportunity to demurely bat
her eyelashes once at him. She allowed her chest to swell with pride, which
drew attention to her perfectly shaped bosom. Her actions were not lost on him.
        
“I know I’m in good hands.”
        
“As a matter of fact,” Allison added with confidence, “my little sister’s a
very talented photographer. I think she’ll love taking some fashionable shots
of you.”
        
“That’s convenient keeping the business in the family. But you better tell your
little sister to be careful and not do what her big sister’s done.”
        
“What’s that?”
        
“Make me fall for her.”

Chapter Ten
       
      
Whipping wind in Allison’s hair brought just the effect she had hoped. She
practically floor-boarded the gas pedal on her convertible and finally was able
to feel herself breathe more freely. Best of all, Sharon was out of her face. Meeting her twice
in one day left Allison feeling drained. Being near that
woman even for fleeting moments is like facing Dracula. In fact, Sharon has all the attributes of a blood-sucking vampire hell bent on draining the
lifeblood from others! The gust of exhaust Allison left behind obliterated the
scene in her rear view mirror. She also sensed tension slowly leaving her body
with the realization that a wonderful guy had finally come along that thought
she was more than just a professional whiz-bang. Now she knew how Scarlet O’Hara
felt in Gone with the Wind , when
Ashley Wilkes admitted that he loved her.
        
Hearing kind words from a man she knew hundreds of other girls adored left her
feeling rejuvenated. That meeting had confirmed the fact that she would indeed
be doing promotional work for him. She was committed to doing a fine job for
him. She wanted him to be pleased. Or is it that I want to please
him? she dared to ponder.
         A short while later, Allison walked briskly down the hall to
her apartment. She was trying hard to dismiss the hot and bothered
feeling Sharon had caused that she could not shake.
When she opened the door, she was greeted by the television blaring in front of
Karen, who was draped in her terry cloth bathrobe and reclining on the couch.
        
Allison snapped, “Do you have to play it so loud?”
        
Karen’s response was to turn the set off, and then she replied sarcastically,
“I can see things went well for you this evening! What happened, did his guitar
string snap and pop you on your keester ?”
        
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think you’d be up this late, and I was craving some peace
and quiet.”
        
“Are you kidding? I’m sorry if you didn’t get the job. There’ll be lots of
others. You’ve just got to—”
        
“I’ve got the job! He needs me!” Allison looked jealously at Karen. Deep down
inside, she knew that Karen would never let herself get so worked up about a
man that she had only recently met, nor would she be as upset as Sharon had made her. Allison felt tears misting
in her eyes.
        
Karen noticed. “Allison, what’s the matter?”
        
“I’m such a jerk! How could I ever have imagined that meeting the most
wonderful man in the world wouldn’t be offset by being crushed by the most
horrible female on earth?”
        
“Wait a second. Wait a second. There are some scenes missing from this story. I
know about your new client, but who’s this Bride of Frankenstein that made you
cry?”
        
“Sharon Eaton.” Allison bit off the words as if she was announcing Adolph
Hitler. “She’s a conniving threat to me and every other marketing executive in
this city. She reminds me of that girl in All About Eve