Read Online An Executive Decision by Grace Marshall - Free Book Online

half-empty fizz and pushed the glass aside. ‘I was just overlooked for a promotion and the position was given to someone far less qualified.’
    ‘You mean Dee Henning?’
    ‘Yes, I mean Dee Henning. That job was mine.’ Tally leaned close to him, practically hissing in his face. ‘I can’t believe Ellis could even consider anyone else. I’ve been busting my ass in accounting for five years now, and after Beverly Neumann’s death, I was indispensable. Ellis barely knew which end was up without me.’
    ‘Strange choice, Dee Henning. You’re right. She’s not really qualified.’
    ‘Of course she’s not qualified. She’s just a headhunter and …’ She stopped mid-rant. It suddenly hit her. ‘How do you know about Dee Henning? Who are you anyway?’
    ‘I had a rather unpleasant run-in with Ms Henning when she worked for Jasper and McDowell.’ Her new friend waved his hand as though he were batting away a fly. ‘Besides, I make it a point to know what’s going on in the business world.’ He offered her his hand. ‘Terrance Jamison, at your service.’
    She nearly fell off the stool. ‘ The Terrance Jamison, of Jamison Holdings?’ She thrust a hand forward.
    ‘The same.’
    ‘I thought I recognised you, but I was a bit distressed, you know, not thinking very straight.’
    ‘Perfectly understandable,’ he said. Just then the drinks arrived. He handed her the fizz and lifted his whiskey. ‘I’d like to make a toast to new possibilities, Ms Barnes. What is it they say, a door never closes but what a window opens? Is it OK if I call you Tally?’
    ‘You know my name?’
    ‘Of course I know your name. How could I not know your name? From what I’ve heard, Pneuma Inc. would grind to a standstill without you. I think it’s shocking that Thorne doesn’t appreciate what a treasure he has in you.’
    He barely got the words out before his iPhone rang, which gave Tally a chance to let what Jamison had just said sink in, while she did a little basking in the first good thing that had happened to her all day. She studied the man surreptitiously in his conversation. So this was the infamous Terrance Jamison. She half expected him to have horns and a tail with the reputation he had at Pneuma, Inc. – probably undeserved. Jamison was Ellis Thorne’s rival and worst enemy. Everyone knew the men hated each other. She’d seen pictures of Jamison in The Oregonian , always looking like he was king of the world, like the kind of man you toyed with at your own peril. And he was sitting here next to her, buying her expensive champagne, reminding her of just what an asset she would be for any company. And that made him even easier to look at. In spite of the man’s chivalry, he was a bit frightening with those cool eyes and pale hair. He was in his early 50s, she’d read somewhere, but oh, he was definitely one of those men who aged very well indeed.
    Ellis had never been chivalrous to her. The best she’d ever gotten from Ellis, even with all her help and kindness after Beverly’s death, was distant politeness. She could have been the janitor for all he noticed.
    She was consorting with the enemy. It gave her a warm, squirmy feeling inside, like revenge of the very best kind, especially since Terrance Jamison knew who she was. Ellis might not appreciate her, but Ellis wasn’t the only show in town now, was he? And it would serve him right to lose her.
    At last Jamison hung up. ‘Sorry about that, Tally.’ He gave a conspiratorial smile. ‘That was Alan Marston. You know Alan Marston, don’t you? He certainly speaks highly of you.’
    A slight blush of pleasure warmed in her chest. ‘Al? Al speaks highly of me? Well, I’m delighted, of course; I mean, I’ve basically picked up the slack with him and the Scribal Paper account since Beverly Neumann’s death, no easy task as I’m sure you can imagine.’
    ‘Oh, I can well imagine,’ he said, swirling his drink, holding her in an icy-hot gaze.