Read Online Dreams: Part Two by Jayne Ann Krentz - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Jayne Ann Krentz
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tucked away for the summer in some little backwater mountain town.
What are you doing back in Portland?“
Diana looked up at Aaron Crown. She would have been grateful for almost anything that managed to interrupt the argument that had developed between herself and Colby, but she wasn’t prepared to see her boss standing by the table. She took refuge in the formalities.
“Hello, Aaron. Good to see you again.“
“It’s good to see you. We’ve missed you, friend.“ Aaron gave her his most engaging smile. He was a blandly attractive man who had the sleek, corporate look down to an art. His suit had been made to measure, his tie was vaguely reminiscent of an old school that he had never attended and his shirt was definitely not a polyester-cotton blend. Aaron Crown believed in dressing for the role he wanted to play in the organization, and that role was at or near the top.
Diana realized a pause had developed in the conversation. Colby was regarding Aaron with a cold expression, and Aaron was waiting politely for introductions. Flustered, Diana hurried to make them.
“Uh, Aaron, this is Colby Savagar. Colby, this is Aaron Crown, my boss from Carruthers and Yale.“
“Her boss, huh?“ Colby shook hands perfunctorily with Aaron. “I’m her husband.“
Diana went bright pink. She cleared her throat quickly as Aaron turned to her with a look of shock on his face. “Oh, yes, right. Colby’s my husband. I forgot to mention I just got married.“ She knew from the expression in Colby’s eyes that she was going to hear about her lapse later.
“Tour husband!“ Aaron managed a belated smile. “Well, congratulations are in order, then, aren’t they? I had no idea you were even seeing anyone on a regular basis, Diana, let alone that you were contemplating marriage. Where have you been keeping Colby here?“
“In the freezer,“ Colby said.
Diana glared furiously at him. “We’ve only been married a few days,“ she explained to Aaron. “We’re both still busy adjusting to the whole idea, aren’t we, Colby?“
“I’ve already adjusted,“ Colby announced grimly. “You’re the slow one in the crowd.“
Aaron summoned up a polite chuckle, but he looked vaguely dazed. “I can’t believe it. Where did you two meet?“
“We met in Fulbrook Corners,“ Diana explained crisply, hoping to put an end to the awkward conversation.
“You mean you’ve only known each other a few weeks?“ Aaron shook his blond, well-groomed head in astonishment. “And you’re married? I don’t believe it.“
“Believe it,“ Colby advised.
Aaron ignored him, turning to frown at Diana with deep concern. “That’s not like you, Diana. It’s hard to imagine you, of all people, rushing into marriage. You’re just not the type. You always think things through so carefully before you act. Wait until your coworkers hear about this. We’ll have to arrange a little party at the office to celebrate.“
“Don’t plan anything in the near future,“ Colby said. “She’s still thinking about whether she wants to return to a job where there’s no career potential for women.“
Aaron blinked and then his eyes narrowed slightly in consternation. He switched his troubled gaze to Diana. “All of us in business have to go through the experience of being passed over for promotion at one time or another. It’s tough, but it’s part of corporate life. And there’s always a next time. I feel sure that after another year or two with me, management will look more favorably on an upward move for Diana. In the meantime I was hoping you’d had a few thoughts about cutting short your leave of absence, Diana. You were always such a levelheaded type. Being away from your job this long is not good careerwise.“
“As a matter of fact, I wanted to talk to you about that, Aaron.“
Aaron beamed with satisfaction. “Terrific. There’s nothing I’d like more than to talk about getting you back into the fold ASAP. As I said,
What are you doing back in Portland?“
Diana looked up at Aaron Crown. She would have been grateful for almost anything that managed to interrupt the argument that had developed between herself and Colby, but she wasn’t prepared to see her boss standing by the table. She took refuge in the formalities.
“Hello, Aaron. Good to see you again.“
“It’s good to see you. We’ve missed you, friend.“ Aaron gave her his most engaging smile. He was a blandly attractive man who had the sleek, corporate look down to an art. His suit had been made to measure, his tie was vaguely reminiscent of an old school that he had never attended and his shirt was definitely not a polyester-cotton blend. Aaron Crown believed in dressing for the role he wanted to play in the organization, and that role was at or near the top.
Diana realized a pause had developed in the conversation. Colby was regarding Aaron with a cold expression, and Aaron was waiting politely for introductions. Flustered, Diana hurried to make them.
“Uh, Aaron, this is Colby Savagar. Colby, this is Aaron Crown, my boss from Carruthers and Yale.“
“Her boss, huh?“ Colby shook hands perfunctorily with Aaron. “I’m her husband.“
Diana went bright pink. She cleared her throat quickly as Aaron turned to her with a look of shock on his face. “Oh, yes, right. Colby’s my husband. I forgot to mention I just got married.“ She knew from the expression in Colby’s eyes that she was going to hear about her lapse later.
“Tour husband!“ Aaron managed a belated smile. “Well, congratulations are in order, then, aren’t they? I had no idea you were even seeing anyone on a regular basis, Diana, let alone that you were contemplating marriage. Where have you been keeping Colby here?“
“In the freezer,“ Colby said.
Diana glared furiously at him. “We’ve only been married a few days,“ she explained to Aaron. “We’re both still busy adjusting to the whole idea, aren’t we, Colby?“
“I’ve already adjusted,“ Colby announced grimly. “You’re the slow one in the crowd.“
Aaron summoned up a polite chuckle, but he looked vaguely dazed. “I can’t believe it. Where did you two meet?“
“We met in Fulbrook Corners,“ Diana explained crisply, hoping to put an end to the awkward conversation.
“You mean you’ve only known each other a few weeks?“ Aaron shook his blond, well-groomed head in astonishment. “And you’re married? I don’t believe it.“
“Believe it,“ Colby advised.
Aaron ignored him, turning to frown at Diana with deep concern. “That’s not like you, Diana. It’s hard to imagine you, of all people, rushing into marriage. You’re just not the type. You always think things through so carefully before you act. Wait until your coworkers hear about this. We’ll have to arrange a little party at the office to celebrate.“
“Don’t plan anything in the near future,“ Colby said. “She’s still thinking about whether she wants to return to a job where there’s no career potential for women.“
Aaron blinked and then his eyes narrowed slightly in consternation. He switched his troubled gaze to Diana. “All of us in business have to go through the experience of being passed over for promotion at one time or another. It’s tough, but it’s part of corporate life. And there’s always a next time. I feel sure that after another year or two with me, management will look more favorably on an upward move for Diana. In the meantime I was hoping you’d had a few thoughts about cutting short your leave of absence, Diana. You were always such a levelheaded type. Being away from your job this long is not good careerwise.“
“As a matter of fact, I wanted to talk to you about that, Aaron.“
Aaron beamed with satisfaction. “Terrific. There’s nothing I’d like more than to talk about getting you back into the fold ASAP. As I said,
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