Holiday Magic (Second Chance) Read Free Page A

her dresser, and removed the picture frame inside. It was a classic black and white photograph of her and Mark taken by one of Philadelphia’s best photographers. It had been their engagement picture for the society page. She looked at the image of the handsome man beside her, and reached out her finger to trace his face. A single tear slipped down her cheek. She hoped that she had made the right choice. She was certain that seeing Mark again would be sheer hell.
     
     
    ***
     
    Mark Anderson stared at the letter in his hand, a message from Howard, his lawyer, concerning Eleni’s latest venture. Mysterious millionaire and casino owner Garth Simmons had requested an exclusive contract for Eleni’s services, stating that Holiday Magic could complete any contracted events while she worked for him provided that they were not in similar venues. In addition, he had stipulated that Eleni herself live at the casino for the duration of the contract. He was offering an outrageous fee for her services, and her penthouse and meals would all be complimentary. According to Howard, while the stipulations of the contract were unusual, it was a great deal.
    The phone desk rang. He saw it was his administrative assistant, so he pressed speaker button.
    “ Yes, Ruth. What is it?”
    “” Eleni Baxter is here to see you.”
    “ Send her in.” He hung up and walked towards the door that was opening.
    Eleni had almost become his sister-in-law. The tall, leggy blonde with a figure most models envied, came over and kissed him on each cheek as she always did. Her green eyes sparkled.
    “What did your lawyer say? Can I sign the contract? I’m so excited!”
    “ Hello to you too.” He laughed. No matter how down in the dumps you were, you could never be unhappy around Eleni when she was in a good mood. Most of the time, she saw the world as bright and beautiful. He would kill the person who ever took away those rose-colored glasses she wore. He had come close to doing it himself once, but she had forgiven him. If only her sister were that kind.
    “ Howard, my lawyer, says the contract is iron clad. If he fires you or chooses to end it before February 28th, it’ll cost him three times the fee he has offered. Plus, the suite is yours for the duration, all meals and casino expenses included. When Howard asked Simmons’ lawyer what that meant, he said, and I quote, ‘Ms. Baxter can leave her purse in Philadelphia. Every cent she spends is on us.’
    “ Does that mean that I can gamble with his money too?” The mischievous look on her face that did not bode well for Garth Simmons.
    “ Eleni, use your head. This contract will make or break you. If you got it extended, you’d never have to do another job again. No more dealing with Bridezilla or pushy mothers. The world would be your oyster. He owns six casinos world-wide Vegas, Monte Carlo, Darwin, Lisbon, and England, as well as the one in Atlantic City. If you were to do the décor for all of them, you’d be set for life.”
    Mark turned and looked out the office window. Sometimes working with her was exasperating. Holiday Magic was her dream. He was a not-so-silent partner, but in reality, she could get along fine without him. He was the one who didn’t want to let go, because to do so would cut his last tie to Georgia.
    “Did you read the fine print?” He knew she would probably lie and say yes when she had done no such thing.
    “ Of course I did. I saw that twenty-four seven part, if that’s what you’re asking.”
    “ Are you ready to sign it then?”
    “ Yes, ready, willing, and able.” She selected a pen from the cup on his desk and signed where the stick-on arrows indicated. “Done. I am now Ocean Front Casino’s official winter season decorator.”
    He took the signed contract out into the bull pen to make copies. He was back in less than a minute. Eleni stood in front of the window looking out at the world below.
    “I wish it would snow.” She turned around to