Read Online Tailored for Trouble: A Romantic Comedy (Happy Pants) by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff - Free Book Online Page A

of those hot lawyers or someone else from work?”
    Sarah shot her a look. “All of the male judges are my dad’s age, lawyers are too uptight, and that leaves the criminals.”
    “Oh, come on now,” Taylor joked, “don’t be so judgy. There’s got to be a few hot bad boy bikers coming into your court, in need of a little spanking.”
    Sarah couldn’t stand bad boys. She’d sworn them off after college for a very good reason: They were nothing but trouble. In fact, just looking at pair of leather pants made Sarah break out in hives.
    “I’d rather become a nun,” Sarah said, coughing out her words, trying not to laugh. “Maybe you’re the one who needs a bad boy—you look like you could use a little hot man trouble in your life.”
    And, of course, another stupid image of Bennett Wade just had to pop into her stupid head. She sighed. “I think I already found one.”
    Sarah’s smile dropped off. “Really? Who is he?”
    Taylor was shocked that the thought had entered her head, let alone leaked out of her lips. “Oh. Would you look at the time? You’re late for your next session.” She pointed to the clock on the wall above the door.
    Sarah’s big blue eyes widened. “Oh crap. I am late.” She grabbed her pursed and headed for the door. “You and I are not done with the conversation, Taylor!”
    Taylor shook her head at herself
. Yes, we are so done with this topic.
Bennett Wade was trouble and she knew it. And there was no way in hell she’d ever get involved with a man like that.
    —
    After that really great lunch with Sarah, Taylor was starting to feel very optimistic about the way things had panned out. It was wonderful to be able to spend time with her friends and family, something she’d not gotten a lot of these past few years while living in Phoenix and constantly traveling. Being home, where the weather didn’t cook you alive, was also heaven.
    All right, maybe her emotional lift wasn’t completely attributable to the weather or being back on her old stomping grounds. Accepting Bennett’s offer had renewed her hope that HumanitE might have a chance. She simply needed to put Mr. Grinch in touch with his “inner-Taylor” as he’d called it—so cute.
    That evening, she turned the dial on her car radio to NPR as she hit the metering lights on the Bay Bridge to go back into the city for the ball.
    She wasn’t really listening to the program, but was thinking more about the exact words she would use to start the conversation with Bennett before they commenced his leadership-style evaluation.
Bennett, I know you’re used to doing things your way, but we need to establish some ground rules….
    “And big news today from the industrial sector,” said the announcer on the radio, his words filtering into the background of her thoughts. “Anonymous sources at Lady Mary Fragrances, the largest global manufacturer of perfumes and specialty personal care products, confirmed they are in discussions with Wade Enterprises for a possible merger. A spokesperson for Lady Mary refused to comment as did Bennett Wade, CEO of Wade Enterprises, but industry experts speculate the joining of the two large companies is a move by Wade Enterprises to diversify its holdings. And next up, we’ll be discussing socks. Is wool making a comeback…”
    Taylor turned off the radio and stared ahead at the road.
Merger? With Lady Mary?
What the hell?
Lady Mary was an ex-client of hers. Actually, Taylor had dealt with Mary Rutherford’s son, Chip—Mr. “I’ll be heading your way, so why don’t we have our meeting in Vegas. Over dinner. My treat.” He had propositioned Taylor more times than she could remember. But Chip didn’t run the company; dear old mom did. And Mary Rutherford was a well-known, outspoken supporter of women’s rights.
    So why in the world would she be talking to the world’s biggest chauvinistic bully and producer of manufacturing automation about a merger?
Bennett Wade and Mary Rutherford