If I Were Your Woman Read Free

on top of the registration desk, and walked toward the office to prepare for her meeting with Terri.
    When she opened the office door she was surprised to find Ann Marie sitting behind the desk on the phone. Her back was to the door, but she spun the swivel chair around to face Stephanie. She gave her a smile and a thumbs-up signal.
    Stephanie angled her head in question, then eased the door closed and took a seat opposite Ann Marie.
    Ann Marie flashed a self-satisfied grin on her cherub face when she finished with her call. “Well, you can t’ank me now or you can t’ank me lata.”
    â€œWhat exactly am I thanking you for?”
    â€œI used all me skills and contacts and found you an office for your business for cheap!” She grinned triumphantly.
    â€œAn office?” Her stomach muscles knotted. On any other day it would have been fabulous news.
    â€œYes, chile, an office. You can’t run a real business in this tiny box. How’re you going to entertain your big-time clients?”
    Ann Marie had been instrumental in getting Stephanie’s business license and supporting her dream of starting her own PR company after she’d quit her job at H. L. Reuben. Of all the girls, it was Ann Marie who surprised her most when she’d come to her aid and encouraged her to step out on faith. Over the years she and Ann Marie had been like oil and water.
    At times she thought it was simply Ann Marie’s feisty Jamaican roots that rubbed her the wrong way. But Ann Marie had changed, she’d mellowed, the bristle around her edges had softened. As a result Stephanie lowered the barrier she’d kept between herself and Ann Marie and they’d finally become real girlfriends.
    Stephanie tossed her head. Her shoulder-length weave fell into perfect waves to frame her face. She held up her hand. “Wait, you got me an office?”
    â€œYou goin’ deaf? That’s what me said, mon.” She sucked her teeth in mock annoyance.
    Stephanie pushed out a breath. “Ann, I don’t know if I’m ready…for an office.” Her voice faded with each word.
    Ann Marie frowned and leaned forward. “I thought you would be excited. Ya look like someone stole something from ya.”
    Stephanie tried to play it off, but it was too much trouble. She glanced over her shoulder to be sure the door was closed. She drew her chair closer to the table, the wooden legs scraping across the floor.
    â€œI got a call today.”
    â€œFrom who?”
    â€œConrad’s wife.”
    â€œOh, damn.” She threw her hands up in the air. “What she wan’now? Guess law and order don’t mean not’ing to ’er.” She jumped up from her seat and began pacing, her high heels popping like bullets against the floor. She stopped in midstep and swung a look at Stephanie. “Well, what ’appened?”
    â€œI mean she said the same crap she’s been saying except…”
    â€œExcept what?”
    â€œI don’t know, Ann,” she said, sounding defeated. “It was different. Kinda scary. I haven’t been able to shake it all morning.” She visibly shuddered, then looked up at Ann Marie. “To tell you the truth—and not that I don’t appreciate your efforts, but I’d just feel safer—here for a while.”
    Ann Marie pursed her lips and blew out a measured breath then slowly sat back down. “Did she threaten you?”
    â€œNot anything like an ‘I’m gonna kill you’ kind of threat, but…she said it wasn’t over. The thing is it’s not so much what she said, but how she said it. It was creepy.”
    â€œDid you tell Tony?”
    She shook her head. “He’d already left for work. He had a meeting with a new client.”
    â€œListen, she can’t be crazy enough to really bother you. You have a restraining order against ’er. Call the police and let them know.”
    â€œI