Read Online By Design by J. A. Armstrong - Free Book Online Page A

looked at
Susan who was rummaging through the bag. “How many fortune cookies in that
bag?” she asked.
    “Looks like four or
five,” Susan answered.
    “Let’s hope they
don’t all predict friends from my past,” Candace chuckled.
    “I’m sorry?” Susan
asked.
    “It’s fine, Susan.
Just set it down,” Candace instructed as she returned her attention to the
phone. “Any predictions?” she asked Jameson.
    “Only that you will
be eating Chinese food.”
    “Um. Is this your
peace offering for that mangy feline that Pearl is
already attached to?” Candace asked.
    “He’s not mangy, and you were an equal party to that
agreement,” Jameson reminded the senator.
    “So, I was,” she
admitted.
    “Your email
seemed….well, you just seemed tired,” Jameson said.
    Candace noted the
concern in the architect’s voice. “Long week.”
    “It’s only
Wednesday,” Jameson said.
    “Exactly. Thanks,”
Candace replied gratefully.
    “It’s not much.”
    “The only thing
missing was the usual delivery driver,” Candace said honestly.
    Jameson smiled at the
endearment. “She is working with a very
demanding client right now. Doesn’t give her much time to moonlight.”
    Candace laughed.
“Sounds like a bitch.”
    “No, but I certainly
don’t want to disappoint her.”
    Candace closed her
eyes and inhaled the compliment. “I don’t foresee that in your future.”
    “No?”
    “No, but I do see you
on a plane this weekend,” Candace said.
    “Is that so? You
already opening dessert?” Jameson asked.
    “Maybe I am….let’s
see – it says, a lunatic will crash your
Christmas party . ”
    “Shell is headed to
D.C.?” Jameson asked.
    “I was thinking of a
certain snarky architect.”
    “She might be moonlighting
that night,” Jameson replied. “She relies on tips; you know?”
    Candace laughed.
“Well, let her know that there will be a tip as to the itinerary in her email
later this afternoon.”
    “I’ll check her
schedule with the secretary right now, please hold,” Jameson said. Candace
chuckled while she waited for Jameson to return.
Dana pretended to peruse some files as she listened. “Master Jinx says he can clear her schedule for the weekend if
necessary. He wants to know if there will be wine.”
    “Thank Master Jinx
for me and assure him every amenity will be provided ,” Candace said.
    “I’ll let him know,”
Jameson said. “Guess, I will see you.”
    “Jameson?” Candace
said. Dana looked up abruptly. “Thanks. I needed that today.”
    “It’s what I do,”
Jameson said. “Remodeling a day is part of the package.”
    “I must have missed
that in the fine print,” Candace returned. “Let me know when you get the
email.”
    “I will. I have to go; Master Jinx has taken up residence on my
plans.”
    Candace laughed. “I
told you they were trouble.”
    “Jinx!” Jameson
exclaimed. “Aww, dude! Come on! Gotta go … ”
    Candace disconnected
the call. “Why doesn’t anyone ever believe me?” she mused quietly.
    Dana looked over at
her boss and lifted an eyebrow. “I’m not sure I want to know what that
conversation was about.”
    Candace winked.
“Chinese?”
    ***
    Jameson looked at her
reflection in the mirror. She tugged at her tailored jacket. “Why am I so
nervous?” she asked her reflection.
    “Why are you so
nervous?” Dana asked. Jameson spun on her heels. Dana narrowed her gaze at the
architect’s startled expression. “Okay, J.D.; truth
time . What is going on with you and Candy?”
    “What are you talking
about?” Jameson asked. Dana sat on the edge of the bed in the guest room and
waited for an honest response. “Dana, she’s a client. That’s all.”
    “Uh-huh. So, you send
all of your clients Chinese food randomly when they are having a bad day? Chinese food you have to arrange to be delivered to the Senate offices? Just who did you bribe to pull that one off?”
    Jameson shrugged. “I
know more people than you