Lucky Charm (37 page)

Lilly picked up on the first ring. “What’s up? I was just going to call you
.
I’ve got awesome news!”

“What is it?” Annabel did her best to sound as upbeat as possible
. H
er Jeremy dilemma would have to wait.

“I just got a huge order from Bloomingdale
’
s.”

“Lilly, that’s great! Congratulations!”

“But, wait, I’m not finished. Simon is moving back to
New York
. H
e got relocated for another five years.”

“That’s awesome! So you’re not moving to
Paris
?”

“Definitely not for the next five years.”

For a moment
,
Annabel forgot about her own troubles
. H
er best frien
d was no longer moving half
way across the world, and everything was going to be all right.

“So what did you want to tell me?”

“Oh, nothing important
.
I just called to say hi,” Annabel forced cheer into her voice, determined not to ruin Lilly’s good mood.

“How about we get together for drinks after work tomorrow? There’s this new bar on Third and Fiftieth
.
I’ll email you the directions. Does seven p.m. work?”

“Sounds good; I’ll see you then.”

“See you tomorrow.”

From the moment Annabel walked into the office the next morning, she could tell that something was amiss
. T
he way Paige waltzed down the hall with a wide smile on her face, crying out in a sing-song, “I’ve got wonderful news, Ann – come and see me in five!” was simply unsettling, and the fact that Janine still had not showed up to work was disconcerting to say the least.

“What’s going on, Sally?” Annabel whispered to the receptionist
.
Sally always got wind of things way before Annabel.

“Search me.” Sally shrugged. “I sure as hell hope we are not getting fired
.
I need this job.”

“Fired? Paige would be crazy to fire you
. Y
ou keep this place running.”

“You and I
, both, but the way Paige has been acting lately, I doubt she notices anything. Haven’t you heard, our boss is in love, and the world has officially been turned on its head.”

Before Annabel could reply to Sally’s remark, the front door opened
,
and Janine whirled into the room.

“Well, hello, ladies!”

“Hello to you too. You got five messag
es from yesterday.” Sally slammed a stack of message slips
on her desk.

“That’s some welcome
. T
hanks, Sal. I’m afraid you’ll have to answer those messages for me, Ann. You see, I’ve come to say goodbye.”

“You’re quitting?” Annabel asked, trying not to sound too excited
. M
aybe now Paige would finally hire somebody who would actually do the work.

“That’s right.” Janine beamed triumphantly. “Say hello to the new Mrs. Vargas!” Janine dangled her left hand, revealing a huge diamond. “Stephen and I got married in Vegas!” she shrieked, jumping up and down.

“Congratulations,” Sally mumbled. “My regards to your new husband.”

“That’s great, Janine. All the best to you and Stephen.” Annabel smiled
. T
his was news indeed
. W
ho would have thought that Stephen Vargas, a notorious bachelor who had dated every actress and model on the planet, would choose to tie the knot with Janine?

“Thanks, Ann. It’s really big of you
.
I know you had a thing for Stephen, but he chose me in the end.
”

That’s what you get f
or being nice to people
like Janine
, Annabel thought. She was about to walk away when the door to Paige’s office swung open.

“What’s all the noise?” Paige demanded.

“I quit.” Janine thrust out her left hand again. “Stephen and I got married.”

“Good for you, Janine. I’m sure you’ll make a wonderful wife.” Paige smiled wryly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to get back to work. Say hello to your mother for me
. I
t’s been a pleasure having you around the office.”

Before Janine could say another word, the door to Paige’s office shut closed.

“Well, I guess this is it.” Janine lingered hesitantly, clearly disappointed by the lackluster reaction to her big news. “I’ll see you around, girls.”

Sally twirled her fingers. “Give me a call next time you’re in
Monte Carlo
or
Saint-Tropez
.
I’ll do my best to join you.”

“Have a nice life.” Janine stormed out of the office, slamming the door.

“Good riddance
,
” Sally grinned, and Annabel could not help but join in
.
I
f anything, Janine’s departure would make the office run a lot smoother.

“Ann, can you stop by and see me for a moment?” Paige poked her head from her office.

“This ought to be good.” Sally grinned.

“Can you believe the nerve of that girl?” Paige exclaimed
,
once Annabel took a seat in her office. “If it hadn’t been for her working here, she would have never gotten within ten feet of Stephen Vargas! I wonder how she swung that one? You know, I always thought Stephen had a thing for you. Why you never gave him a chance is beyond me.”

“Oh, I think you’re exaggerating. He is not really my type. Besides, he is married to Janine now.”

“I give that marriage a month at most. By the way, how are things going with your fella in
Paris
?”

“Everything is fine,” Annabel answered lamely, afraid that if she admitted that the last time she spoke with Etienne was over seven days ago, Paige might insist that she snatch Stephen Vargas from Jeanine.

“I’m glad to hear that.” Paige smiled benevolently. “But getting back to business… I’ve got really important news to tell you. Come to think of it, Janine’s departure could not have happened at a more perfect time.”

“Don’t worry about a thing, Paige. I’ll handle things until you find a replacement for Janine,” Annabel started, but Paige interrupted her.

“I don’t doubt that
.
I’ve been really lucky with you, Ann. You may think that I don’t notice, but I notice everything.” Paige leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs. “As for picking up the slack for Janine, there won’t be any need for that. I’ve sold the business.”

The news hit Annabel on the head like a sack of bricks.

“You’re selling the business?” she mouthed, regretting all the times she had complained about her job
. W
hat was she going to do now?

“Yes. But hear me out first
.
I think you’ll like what I have to say. I’ve made you a one percent partner. Once the sale is complete, you will stand to gain this much.” Paige handed Annabel a sheet of paper with a number on it that equaled Annabel’s three-year salary. “If you’d like, you could also take the job with the new company.” Paige named the high profile agency that had bought her business. “I’ve already given them the highest recommendation possible, so they are dying to meet you. But if I were you, I wouldn’t.”

“Why not?” Annabel mouthed, still shell-shocked by all the news.

“Because you’re the best writer I’ve ever hired
,
and it would be a waste to see you write ad copy for the rest of your life. I loved your last story in the
Paris Review
. Yes, I do read, you know.” Paige smiled at Annabel’s wide-eyed expression. “And it’s high time you took your writing seriously, Ann.”

“Wow, Paige. I’m completely blown away. Thank you, for everything.”

“It’s not me you should thank. It’s Robert
. H
e proposed and I accepted. Do you like the ring?” Paige showed off the enormous princess cut emerald on her left hand.

“It’s beautiful.”

“My first husband got me a diamond
. L
et’s hope I’ll have better luck with an emerald.” Paige winked. “We are moving to
Wyoming
.
Robert has a beautiful ranch there
. I
t reminds me of my parents’ ranch in
Australia
. I know what you’re thinking – Paige Martin quitting
Manhattan
,
she won’t last a year. But the truth is, I’m no spring chicken, and I’m tired of being alone. It’s time I settled down
,
and I know that Robert is the man for me
. H
e makes me happy
,
and I want to do the same for him.”

“Wow, Paige. Congratulations! I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you. And by the way, don’t you worry about Sally
.
I’ll talk to her next
. S
he’s got a job offer with the new company and a twenty percent bump, so I’ll think she’ll be pleased.”

For the next hour
,
Paige and Annabel discussed the details of transferring over the business. The deal had been signed, but the transfer of assets was to take place over the next month
,
and there was a lot of work to be done to ensure a smooth transition
. O
ffice systems had to be merged, client files had to be organized and ongoing projects had to continue without interruption. There was a lot to do, but Annabel did not dare complain – not after the wonderful gift Paige had given her.

“And, Annabel,” Paige called out just as Annabel was about to head back to her office. “When you do finish your novel, give me a call
.
I know a few people in the publishing world
,
and I’ll make sure that you stay out of the slush pile.”

“Thanks, Paige. I don’t know how to than
k you
. Y
ou’re like a fairy god
mother.”

“Just do your job, Ann
. T
hat’s all the thanks I need.”

“Ann, you’ve got a flower delivery!” Sally’s voice rang on the intercom.

In an instant, Annabel jumped off her chair and flew down the hall. There could be only one person she knew who would send her flowers – Etienne. What an idiot she had been to doubt him! Surely, there was an explanation for all the unanswered phone calls and the sporadic emails.

A huge bouquet of two dozen bright red roses obscured Sally from view.

“Get this monstrosity off my desk, will ya?” Sally grumbled. “I can’t concentrate with all this romance around me.”

Her hands shaking, Annabel struggled to open the card.

The course of true love never did run smooth.

I meant every word I said last night. Love, Jeremy.

“Now, that’s real courtship
.
French men sure know how to wo
o
a lady.” Paige appeared by Sally’s desk.

“It’s not from Etienne.” Annabel dropped the card on the floor.

“Who is it from, then?” Sally moved her reading glasses down her nose.

“Jeremy.”

Both Sally and Paige gasped at the same time
. O
ver the past months both of them
had grown
more than familiar with all the details of Annabel’s break up.

“It’s a bit late for an apology, isn’t it?” Paige observed sharply.

“I don’t know
. H
e showed up by my building yesterday, begging me to take him back. He said he couldn’t live without me,” Annabel added feebly.

“I thought I saw him around town with Athena Alexander.” Paige picked up the card from the floor. “Now he is sending you flowers and quoting Shakespeare. He could have at least taken the trouble to hand
-
write the message,” she observed.

“Are you
okay
, Ann?” Sally rose from her chair.

“Yes, I’m fine,” Annabel mouthed, which was the furthest thing from the truth. “Do you think I should give him another chance?”

“Not in a million years,” Sally snapped.

“Hold it, Sal. I’ve been in your shoes before, Ann, and all I can tell you is that only you can make this call. Cheating is difficult to forgive, but some couples manage to get over infidelity. From my experience, once a man is a cheater, he will always be a cheater. But then again, there are exceptions
,
and only you can decide which category Jeremy falls into. I know it’s not much help, but you’ve got to figure this one out for yourself. If I were you, I would ask myself if I could trust him again
. I
f you trust Jeremy, that’s the only answer you need.”