Read Online The Bare Facts by Karen Anders - Free Book Online Page B

you want to marry? And why is it some kind of a race?”
    â€œShe thinks if I land a rich husband, I’ll quit my job and be the society dame like her. How many garden parties can one woman possibly attend?” Margo sluiced her hand through her silky hair in exasperation.
    â€œSounds like a lot of pressure.” This is the world Dylan lived in. She was glad that she wasn’t subject to such pressure from her family.
    â€œIf she thinks that I’ll fall in love with this guy and give up my plans of getting into advertising, she’s crazy.”
    â€œCouldn’t your family pull strings for you?”
    With a heavy sigh, Margo said, “Sure, but my father’s blocked about every attempt I’ve made to get an advertising job. He calls it vulgar to sell things to people. If you hadn’t been instrumental in getting me this job, I’d still be looking.”
    â€œSo have you met the guy?”
    â€œSure. He’s very attractive and dresses impeccably, but he’s a workaholic like my father, and believe me, that’s not what I want for a husband.”
    â€œI don’t have these issues with my parents at all. My dad was a mailman and my mom stayed home.”
    â€œRight, and he took you to baseball games and Sunday matinees. You’re lucky, Haley. My dad was too busy for any of that stuff. I went to exotic places for vacations, but rarely did my father go with us.”
    Haley reached out and squeezed Margo’s hand. “I’m sorry, Margo. My parents want me to get married and settle down when I’m ready.”
    â€œYou can’t imagine the pressure of having to live up to the Grant name. If I make one slip, you’ll see it in the society page.” She seemed to shake off the frustration. “Enough of this boo-hooing. I’m not dating The Prince, so my mother better get over it.”
    â€œI really admire you, Margo, for standing up for what you believe.”
    â€œThanks,” she said, and smiled warmly. “So, are you excited about the next fantasy?”
    â€œYes. I can’t say I’m not nervous about it, but not enough to call the whole thing off. The first one was so wonderful.”
    â€œSpeaking of fantasies,” Margo said as she put down one of the message slips. “Dylan. And let me see, another one from Dylan, and one more. From Dylan.”
    â€œHe’s called three times today?” Pleasure filled her chest. She hadn’t expected him to call. But, of course, she could still be novel to him. He probably hadn’t gotten tired of her yet.
    â€œUh-huh. He wants you to call him back. He gave me his home phone, his work phone, his cell phone, his beeper, and, of course, his e-mail.”
    Haley turned away from the messages and booted up her computer.
    â€œAren’t you going to call him back?” Margo asked, tapping the message slips with a well-manicured nail.
    â€œNope.” Haley didn’t take her eyes off the screen. She sent the job she opened to the printer.
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œI’ll drop him an e-mail and thank him. I need to give him a time frame for the next fantasy and get his key, but we don’t have a relationship. This is just business. I’m not going to have any other contact with him.”
    â€œI guess he’s agreed to this, so that it won’t be any surprise when you don’t fall into his charming trap.”
    â€œHe is charming, but like your family, Margo, image means a lot to him. I’m sure he wouldn’t want to end up in the society page linked to my name.”
    â€œGo for it, girl. Go for that goal. Although, I’d say it sounds like Mr. Malone is very interested in you, Haley.”
    â€œFor now, Margo.” Before Margo could say another word, Haley handed her the sheets of paper she’d just printed. “I sent this column to Kate by e-mail last night. Tell me what you think.”
    Haley went to get a cup