Tinderella Read Free Page B

out there, have a little fun. Your business is established, you're doing fine, it's time to enjoy life a little bit."

    "I don't know, I don't..."

    "Yes, yes you do. Let's go, come on, want me to do it for you?"

    "Remind me why I like you again?"

    "Because I'm your better half. Let's get on this, are you downloading it?"

    Cyndi held her phone to her chest, "Maybe."

    "Give me that thing," Gooch grabbed the phone out of her hands, "okay, oh you did download it, sweet! Here we are, let's go."

    Less than an hour later Cyndi had her first online profile, and she was already enjoying the scenery.  

    "This is fun! Hey look, that guy at the bar is on here!" she giggled.  

    Gooch sighed, "I'm not sure Tinder and apple-tinis mix very well. Don't do anything rash, like swipe after drinking," she said, gently moving Cyndi's drink just out of her reach.  

    "Oooh, look at him," Cyndi cooed.

    Gooch leaned in to take a look, "He's holding up his black belt certification, swipe left, he shouldn't have to prove it."

    "You're tough, what about this guy?"

    "Leaning against the Porsche? No, look there's another one in the background here, he's at a dealership. Next. You know what? I don't think you should be licensed to do this on your own yet, but soon, very soon." Gooch laughed. Cyndi gently punched her in the shoulder and smiled at her.

    Later, at home, in bed, Cyndi took her phone out again and opened the app. It was unexpectedly fun, and no one knew, the guys couldn't tell. The city was big and there were lots of men nearby to gaze at, she settled back against her pillow and decided she would just enjoy the show.  

****
    PEARCE

    Pearce woke up early on Saturday. He stretched and glanced at the clock. He had time to go to the gym before he met his father and the acquisitions team at the office. Saturday morning meetings were a favorite of his father. An excellent way to show everyone that no sacrifice was too great. Leaving your kids and wife to fend for themselves on Saturday was a great way to show you were devoted to him, and not them.

    He understood why his father did it, he just disagreed. He felt like they should be able to enjoy some free time, God knows they put in enough time at the office. If it were his company he'd do so many things differently. But it wasn't, and he didn't really want it to be. Maybe the difference was he wasn't a wolf, he didn't have the hunt/kill instinct like his dad did.

    The only real limiter, he thought to himself as he headed to the gym downstairs, was his mom. At least the guy listened to her.

    After his workout, Pearce showered and changed and still arrived at the office by 8.  

    "Dad," Pearce nodded, "good morning guys."

    There were murmurs of acknowledgement.  

    "Pearce, glad you could make it."

    "When haven't I?"

    "You always have, it's just an expression."

    Pearce sighed and took his seat, grabbing a coffee on his way. His father always made him feel like a recalcitrant child. Or maybe it was his own fault, maybe he just always behaved like one.  

    He stirred his coffee and pondered that while he glanced through the papers his dad had set out.  
    One name stood out, Cynderella Cleaners. He started to pay attention after that, waiting to hear the plan.

    "And next on the agenda is Cynderella Cleaners, one woman operation, I've already floated the offer past her guy. You may have seen her car around, crazy thing painted like a pumpkin coach. Clever really, except who'd want to be seen in it?"

    There was laughter around the table, but not from Pearce.

    "Why are you interested in her company? Seems like small potatoes."

    "It is Pearce, we're just clearing the decks for new accounts. It's easier to win the business when there's no competition, and if we buy her out we're almost grandfathered in."

    "Huh, yeah, I get it. She cleans my place, does a great job," he pointedly did not mention the cookies, "seems like she's got some good branding going on."

    "Exactly, which