Read Online PeakExperience by Rachel Kenley - Free Book Online Page B

their business to large, not boutique, firms.
Golden Cosmetics was a local company that hit big thanks to a blitz on a home
shopping channel and opening small, well-staffed kiosks in the mall. Lena heard
the rumors about them looking for a company to help them with marketing as they
grew, but didn’t think they stood a chance. “How did you manage that?”
    “I found them an artist who intrigued them and who is
working exclusively with us.”
    “Who?”
    “Daniel Royer, the artist from the gallery opening the other
week.”
    “Royer,” Lena said, her stomach falling. This could not be
happening.
    “Yes, that night is turning out to hold several unexpected
surprises.”
    “No kidding,” Lena said flatly. Her friend didn’t know the
half of it. She’d never mentioned to Michelle the name of her young lover.
    Not noticing Lena’s expression, Michelle continued. “I was
searching the call for proposal sheets and when I saw Golden, I thought of him.
I used the postcard you left on your desk to get in touch with his agent who
arranged a meeting for the next day. He wasn’t sure at first—I don’t think he
thought of his work as being commercial in the literal sense—but ultimately he
agreed. I couriered his work over to the cosmetics company’s offices, and they
got back to me in hours. His work is so original they were immediately curious.
We have an official presentation with them in less than three weeks. That’s all
the time they would give me. Daniel starts work this afternoon.”
    “Great,” Lena said flatly.
    “I know. Everyone is buzzing.”
    “I’m sure they are, but I can’t do this.”
    “The hell you can’t. You know how big this company and the
industry are. If we get in, we’ll tap into a huge market of clients. It could
change everything for us.”
    “Michelle.” Lena raised a hand to stop her friend. Lena
couldn’t let her go on. “Daniel Royer is the man I slept with a little over a
week ago.”
    “Oh…shit.”
    “Hitting the fan,” Lena agreed.
    “I hate to say it, Lena, but regardless of what happened
between you two, we need this account, and they want to see a campaign with his
work.”
    “I know,” Lena said, and she did. The truth was she would do
anything to save her business. Even if that meant working with Daniel.
    “So,” Michelle said after they sat in silence for a few
minutes, “I guess this means you’re surprised?”
    “Completely.” I hate surprises.
    * * * * *
    For the rest of the morning, Lena did the only thing she
could—she avoided everyone by staying in her office behind a closed door and
reviewing the research Michelle had done on Golden Cosmetics. By the time she
walked into the conference room a few minutes before two o’clock, she thought
she was ready, but when she saw Daniel sitting there her resolve slipped.
    Anticipating his presence didn’t stop her heartbeat from
racing at the sight of him and when he smiled, her mouth went dry. When his
eyes met hers she knew she hadn’t imagined her initial attraction to him. His
appeal wasn’t due to the alcohol she drank. Unfortunately, this new knowledge
wasn’t helpful. It didn’t make her any less nervous to work with him.
    “Hello, Ms. Crane, or can I call you Lena? It’s good to see
you again.”
    She chose a chair on the opposite side of the table and a
few seats down. She was being childish, but she wanted to have as comfortable a
distance as possible between them. Sadly, she admitted to herself, that would
require her to be in another building at least, another state at best. “Under
the circumstances—all of them—I think Lena is fine.”
    “Lena it is. I suppose Thumble…”
    “Is out of the question,” she finished for him. He gave her
a too-knowing smile. Anger made some of her tension slip away, but she couldn’t
be continually annoyed if she was going to work with him. “My colleagues know
we’ve met. You don’t need to be formal, but there’s no need to be too