Donatella was right about one thing, though.
She didn’t know exactly how to win at this game, and she needed to find out.
Henrietta’s legacy and a lot of people’s futures, including Emily’s, depended
on her being able to pull this off. She opened the door. “Vonnie?”
Vonnie swiveled in her chair, a pleased
expression on her face. “Yes, boss?”
“Derian will do.” Derian chuckled. “Where’s
Emily’s office?”
Vonnie’s smile widened and she pointed.
“Around the corner and down the hall to your right. First door.”
“Thanks,” Derian said, heading off in the
direction Vonnie so kindly indicated for her with a buzz of expectation.
Chapter Twenty
Ron was at the door again. Emily closed her iPad
and set it aside with an inward sigh. She was used to people dropping in and
could usually work around disruptions, but today, somehow, she couldn’t concentrate,
couldn’t lose herself in the words, and that was so unusual it left her feeling
completely off balance. “More news?”
“Depends on what you call news,” Derian said.
Emily glanced up quickly, a small gasp
escaping before she could catch it. Derian stood in the doorway looking
nonchalant and totally at home, wearing a gorgeous dark gray pinstripe suit
with dark chocolate stripes, loafers, and an open-collar shirt that matched the
subtle brown in her suit. She looked every inch the business magnate she had
always said she didn’t want to be. “Oh, I thought you were Ron.”
“I hope you’re not too disappointed.” Derian
raised a brow. “Do you have a moment, or should I come back later?”
Flustered more by the pleasure spilling over
her than Derian’s unexpected appearance, Emily searched around for words. The
only one that came out was “Yes.”
“As in, you’re disappointed I’m not Ron, this
is a good time, or I’m bothering you and I should come back later?” Derian’s
infuriatingly charming grin said she knew exactly how Emily was feeling.
How embarrassing.
Gathering her scattered wits, Emily gestured
to the chair in front of her desk where Ron had sat an hour before, quizzing
her about her feelings for Derian. Suggesting she might want to take Derian to
bed. And now Derian, who was most certainly here in an official capacity, was
sitting in her office and she could barely put two words together. Did she need
any other reminder of why office romances were a bad idea? “Please, of course,
come in. I didn’t expect you.”
Derian quietly closed the door and took the
seat Emily had indicated. “Sorry, my decision-making process has gotten a
little turned around lately. By the time I figure out what I want to do, it’s
past time to do it.”