Read Online Slightly Sinful by Yvette Hines - Free Book Online Page A

receiver like an expectant mother.
    “Yes.” It’s Monday . With nervous excitement, her chest tightened as if a band squeezed around her ribcage, causing her to have difficulty in breathing.
    He continued. “Your company’s proposal has received favorable comments from our board.”
    Oh, my God.
    “We’d like to meet with you and your team tomorrow at three, if the time is convenient for you.”
    Was it convenient? Midnight would have been convenient. Trying for calm, cool and collected, she swallowed the tumultuous thrill bubbling inside and threatening to spill out in a scream. “If you give me a moment to check my schedule, I can let you know.”
    “Take your time,” he told her.
    Her team stared at her expectantly.
    She signaled them to be patient by promptly holding a single finger in the air and then palming the black device. She selected the menu button and scrolled until she located her electronic planner. Letting out a small sigh of relief, she replaced the phone to her ear. “Three tomorrow afternoon will work for us.”
    “Well then, congratulations on the contract and we’ll see you tomorrow.”
    “Please pass along my gratitude to Mr. Torres and the board.” After his confirmation to relay the message, Delilah hung up the phone as if she’d just finished placing an order for takeout.
    “Delilah, please don’t keep us in suspense,” her head architect pleaded.
    Clipping the smartphone on her case, she slowly lifted her gaze to her team.
    “Oh, for the love of Peter, Paul and Mary and all that’s holy… spill it,” Darren implored.
    Smiling broadly, she whispered in awe, “We did it.” Gazing at each member, she repeated it. “We did it. Torres Corp selected Précis Touch.” Her voice rose. “They chose us.”
    Her team stood stunned for a moment then everyone reacted at the same time, with hugs, high fives and good-natured slaps on the back. After the congratulations had subsided, the other four people got into their cars and left, heading back to the office to prepare for the next day.
    She and Darren stood by her car and waved the others good-bye.
    Darren gave her a firm hug. “I knew you could do it. All those years of hard work are about to pay off.”
    If anyone knew how much winning this project meant to her, Darren did.
    Breaking the embrace, she stepped back and looked at her friend. “You remember the first day you walked into the office and demanded I give you a job?”
    Darren nodded and grinned.
    “Telling me you wanted to be a part of building something and watching it grow. You worked for the first three months without pay.”
    His laughter shook the atmosphere around them. “Actually, no one else would hire me. So, I would’ve been broke either way. Thank goodness for the money I had left over from my final college loan.”
    Delilah’s mouth dropped open in animated shock at discovering her friend’s earlier lie. “Darren…” she attempted to sound scolding.
    He tried to look ashamed, but the smile that played at the corner of his mouth made the effect weak. “I’m sorry, Delilah. I was fresh out of college with no experience. You were my last choice. My plan was to work for you for six months and pray that I got a more lucrative position.”
    Shifting her stance and placing a hand on her hip, she accused, “What about all that business of seeing the job I did at your girl friend’s doctor’s office.”
    His laughter roared. “No girl friend at the time and never saw any office. I was sitting in your little two-chair waiting room when I heard your secretary tell you that the check from Dr. Burke’s office had finally come in with a card thanking you for great job on redecorating his waiting room.”
    “You’re fired,” she called out in a firm voice, but her one-sided smile caused the effect to be lost.
    Pulling her into another quick embrace, he then let her go just as fast. “The truth of the matter is that your tenacity in getting your business off