Read Online Wish You Were Here by Lani Diane Rich - Free Book Online Page B

herself.
    It would be a far second to the real thing, but desperate times—
    Her cell phone went off. Her shoulders tensed, and she hesitated, then said, “Better things to do,” and went into the bathroom. She whipped off the “Kiss Me” T-shirt and her blouse, baring down to the silk camisole she had on underneath. She unzipped the side of her skirt and stepped out of it. The cool air of the bathroom on her skin felt good, and she eyed the showerhead with some anticipation as the cell phone gave one last chirp, then cut off.
    “ Thank God for voicemail,” she whispered. She closed her eyes and leaned against the sink, trying to bring her mind and body back to what Nate had made her feel. She imagined his lips on hers again, the feel of his hand on the small of her back as he pressed himself against her, her breasts pressed up against his strong chest, the cool taste of vodka on his tongue as he explored her—
    The cell phone rang again. She opened her eyes, looked at herself in the mirror.
    “Hold that thought,” she said, then stormed out to the living room where she tossed the bags aside, trying to find her purse. It chirped off, going to voicemail just as she pulled it out of its case. She flipped it open, checked the missed calls log.
    Dad. Talk about a mood killer. She hit dial, and waited. He answered on the second ring.
    “ Richard Da—”
    “ What? What is it you want, what is it you must have at this exact moment that can’t wait?”
    “ Freya.” He was using his stern voice.
    Freya really didn ’t give a crap. “What is it? You got me, what do you want?”
    “ I was expecting to hear from you on the Idaho deal. Are you on your way home?”
    She put her hand to her forehead, anticipating the headache that was sure to come. “No, not yet.”
    There was a slight pause. “Did you make the offer?”
    “ Yes. No deal. He won’t sell.”
    Her father let out a half laugh. “Well... that’s ridiculous. The property isn’t worth near that much.”
    “ No, Dad. It’s not. I seem to recall pointing that out once or twice.”
    “ Then what’s the delay?” Her father’s voice shifted from surprise to anger. “Freya, you should have had this deal sewn up in five minutes. I sent you because I thought you could close this one without a problem. I would expect this kind of thing from your sister, but you’ve always been one of my most dependable people.”
    Her shoulders slumped and she sighed. “I can close this deal. It’s just... complicated.” She plunked down on the couch where Nate had been sitting. “The guy has some family issues he needs to deal with. I just need a little more time—”
    “ Freya, this is a simple deal. There’s no reason for it to drag on like this, not with that kind of money on the table. I’m beginning to think I should have sent someone else.” Someone else ? Was he under the impression she was vacationing out here? Jesus. She blinked hard and reached for her Tic-Tacs. “You don’t need to send anyone else. I can handle this.”
    From the other end of the line, she heard her father ’s heavy sigh. “Come home. I’ll send Charlie Taggert.”
    She crunched down on the mints, flipping the box over in her fingers. “And what happens when I come home?”
    “ What do you mean?”
    “ You know what I mean. If I don’t come home with this deal signed, are you still going to recommend me to the board as your replacement?”
    There was a long silence. Too long.
    “ Freya. I already made my recommendation.”
    “ What?” The air went still around her, and then, like puzzle pieces clicking together, she finally got it. “You recommended Charlie.”
    Her father didn ’t answer.
    “ Bastard,” Freya breathed.
    “ Freya, I’d like to pass this company on to you, but you and I both know that’s just not a reasonable expectation.”
    “ Really? We both know that?”
    “ Your performance has been uneven. You’ve been emotionally unstable.” There was a