Read Online Unlikely Venture (The Venture Series Book 1) by Kristen Luciani - Free Book Online Page A

the consultant this afternoon, too. She won’t be coming back.” Rich snickered.
    “Refresh my memory, which company was this again?”
    “DMC, looking to charge boatloads to help take us public.” He snorted. “I’m sure that Jessica somebody or other won’t be barking up this money tree anymore.”
    Paul furrowed his brow. Jessica ? Had to be. “Listen, Rich, we agreed Blue Coat doesn’t get mentioned as a partner until after the dust settles. Right? As of now, we’re silent partners, got it?”
    “Yeah, yeah, don’t worry about it. I won’t mention this to anyone. I just want to make sure my clients don’t panic when all this blows up.”
    “Don’t worry about it, that’s why we pay for publicists.” Christ, I don’t want Jessica to find out about Blue Coat’s involvement with Secure Transact. He preferred to keep the details of his somewhat unscrupulous business dealings classified, not wanting them to damage his chances with her.
    And Androtti? He’s not going to know what hit him.
     
     
    “JESSIE, THE CAR’S coming in ten. Enough with the laptop. Finish getting ready!” Lisa raked a brush through her long blonde hair and finished the glass of chardonnay in one long gulp.
    Jessica sent one last email and closed the lid. “Li, I’m ready.” She sipped her water. “Why are you so antsy?”
    “I had a rough day, okay? I wasn’t lucky enough to be swept off my feet at Kinko’s. Nooo, I’ve been buried under valuations for days , to the point that I can’t see straight anymore. I’m blinded by numbers.” Lisa pulled on a pair of tall black boots and then poured another glass of wine.
    Jessica giggled. “Don’t worry, a few more cocktails and you’ll be blinded by a whole lot more than numbers.”
    “So when’s the big date?” Lisa shot Jessica a knowing glance.
    “Tomorrow.” Jessica’s cheeks warmed.
    “Crazy, right?” Lisa shook her head in disbelief. “But I’m so happy for you. It’s a very good thing, Jess. I’m glad you finally took my advice!” She squeezed Jessica’s hand. “He sounds great. ”
    “I get a good feeling about him, Li. I could be completely off base, but there’s something between us, this amazing spark. I felt it the first time we met and you’re right. I owe it to myself to find out what it is. I deserve to have a little fun.” She clasped her hands.
    “It’s about damn time, Jessie.” Lisa’s phone beeped with a text and she yelped. “They’re here. Let’s go!”
    A sleek black Hummer limo was waiting outside. Jessica let out a long whistle as some of the passersby slowed to see if any celebrities were inside. “No way .”
    Rochelle stepped out with a champagne flute in-hand. “Ladies, shall we?”
    “Wow, Rochelle, you look hot .” Lisa hurried to the car with an appraising glance at her ensemble.
    Rochelle smiled. “Thanks, Lisa. You two look…really nice .” She smoothed the front of her black Hervé Leger bandage mini-dress as she regarded their outfits with a trace of disdain.
    What a bitch. Jessica snorted. “I didn’t get the memo about dressing like prostitutes.”
    Rochelle’s lips turned up into a frosty smile. “I have a certain image to maintain in my line of work. Maybe one day you’ll get there too.”
    “I didn’t realize your line of work was managing a brothel,” Jessica shot back.
    “Okay guys… You’re crushing my buzz. Can we please get into the Hummer and have another cocktail? I’d really like to start this night.”
    The disgust on Rochelle’s face evaporated and she led them into the limo. “I already poured the champagne.”
    Jessica felt her phone buzz and pulled it out, smiling at the unexpected message from James. Hey, thought you might be interested in this. Looking forward to tomorrow. Hope you have comfortable clothes.
    The text contained a link to an article was from the Technology section of the Wall Street Journal . It talked about how difficult it was for smaller companies to