Close Quarters: A Novel (Zane Presents) Read Free Page B

mix business with pleasure.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “I could have given your firm the account, but it wouldn’t have worked out. Now I could sit here and pretend I agonized over my decision, but I didn’t. After we had lunch, my thoughts weren’t focused on Trinity Accounting and Tax or what your firm could do for Harlow Pharmaceuticals. I thought about you . . .and how to get to know you better.”
    What nerve. There I was trying to build my business and run with the big dogs, and this man discounted me because he thought I was cute. “Who did you hire, Mr. Harlow?”
    “I’m back to Mr. Harlow?” He chuckled. “We went with Sampson Dewer.”
    “I see.”
    “Trust me. You were one of our top candidates. And though we won’t be doing business together, I’ve spoken to a business associate of mine about you. Expect a call from Marty Sewell some time next week.”
    “Martin Sewell?” The chill melted from my voice. “ The Martin Sewell? CEO of Omega Toys?”
    “The one and only. I hope you don’t mind.”
    I smiled on the inside. “Why would I mind? I look forward to receiving Mr. Sewell’s call.”
    If Ellison didn’t believe in my ability, he certainly wouldn’t have referred me to the toy magnate of the East Coast. I crossed my legs and relaxed back into the seat. I had hit the jackpot—in more ways than one.
    • • •
    I sipped my coffee and flipped through the Sunday New York Times . I had every intention of rollerblading in Fort Greene Park, but Mother Nature had something else in mind.
    A driving rain pelted the window with such force I was drawn to peer out at the downpour. The wind whipped through the trees, shaking loose the fall foliage. Broken branches and leaves littered the street. I pressed my hand to the glass, and found it to be much colder than I thought. It was the kind of day to snuggle with a loved one and watch old movies.
    I returned to the couch and turned on the television. Malik shuffled into the living room, eyes barely open. Last night, we parted ways after dinner. When I came home, Malik went elsewhere.
    Malik eased down onto the couch like a man twice his age. He leaned his head back against the pillows and groaned. I glanced over at him . . .five o’clock shadow . . .wrinkled tank . . .sweats . . .bare feet . . .hangover.
    Malik turned pleading eyes on me. “Please tell me we have Alka Seltzer in the house.”
    I took pity on him. “I’ll get you some.”
    “Thanks, Mel,” he mumbled.
    I went to retrieve the cure to Malik’s ailments from the medicine cabinet. I dropped two tablets into a glass of water and prepared a cold compress while the medication fizzed and bubbled.
    I handed Malik the glass, hovering over him until he finished its contents. I instructed him to lie back on the couch and then placed the compress on his head. “Where did you go last night?”
    “I ended up at a lounge on Dekalb. My boys met me down there and we set the party off right.”
    “I hope it was worth it. You look like crap.” His café au lait complexion was pale, almost ashen. “What’s the point of partying when this is the end result?”
    Malik winced at me through slits. “I’ll let you know once I feel better. Right now, I’m not up for being analyzed.”
    I left him alone and went to the kitchen to pour myself another cup of coffee. I considered heading to the office since my plans for the day were ruined by the weather, but decided that working on a rainy Sunday was a bad idea. I settled on going to a movie and then maybe doing a little shopping. I picked up my mug and started toward my room. A groan stopped me in my tracks. “Are you going to be all right, Malik?”
    I walked back to the living room. Malik’s lips were moving, but I couldn’t hear a thing. I bent down in front of him, trying to figure out what he was whispering.
    He took the compress from his head. “Can you run this under cold water?”
    I snatched the compress from him and