Page 12 of RAKEish

Lux glanced at her searching for some sign the woman’s mind could be changed. “He suggests women get hypnotized to change their shy ways into guy ways.”

Ms. Birdie grimaced. “That does seem a bit extreme.” She glanced at Dr. Marshall. “It is my understanding Ms. Peterson provided us with ten days to handle the matter. What if we gave Lux the opportunity to use those ten days to attempt to fix the problem before we dismiss her?”

“Is that even possible?” Dr. Marshall asked.

“I have no idea.” Ms. Birdie folded her hands and laid them atop the table. “But Dr. Stone is a bright star. I bet she will come up with a solution.”

Dr. Marshall frowned. “Lux, is this possible? Can you fix the problem to Ms. Peterson’s satisfaction?”

“I’m willing to contact her and try,” Lux said.

“Just to be upfront on this matter, I should tell you what I’ve told the committee. I own Naked Runway,” Ms. Birdie said.

What? “Then you could get her to back down from the lawsuit,” Lux said.

“I could, but I won’t,” Ms. Birdie responded. “I do not micromanage those I put in charge of my companies.”

“Oh,” Lux mumbled.

“That being said, I will tell you this.” Ms. Birdie stopped and seemed to consider her words before speaking again. “Frankie is very much a hardass. It won’t be easy for you to change her mind once it’s made up.”

“Oh,” Lux said again. “Do you have any suggestions on how best to approach her?”

Ms. Birdie studied Lux for a second. “May I suggest you pitch her a fix that plays off the movie: How to Lose a Guy In Ten Days. I understand it’s one of her favorites, which explains why she gave us ten days to fix the problem before suing the university.”

Lux grinned. “I adore that movie.” Anyone who loved romantic comedies couldn’t be all bad.

“What I hear you saying,” Dr. Marshall spoke directly to Ms. Birdie, “is that Lux has ten days to sufficiently grovel to Ms. Peterson. If she fails, you agree with our decision to relieve her of her duties. Is that correct?”

Ms. Birdie clasped her hands and settled them on the table in front of her. “I absolutely am not suggesting groveling. Ms. Peterson has a motto: apologies are for the lily livered. Dr. Stone must go to her with a strong proposal. If she fails, then yes, she will be dismissed. Lux, are you up for the challenge?”

“If I do this, if I get Ms. Peterson to back down from her threat, will the new position be given to me?”

“The possibility would exist,” Dr. Marshall hedged. “If there is nothing more, this meeting is over.”

Lux watched as they all filed out of the room before dropping her forehead onto the table. “How on earth will I pull this off?”

She remained there, lost in the void of the black tabletop, until an idea sparked. Taking a shuddery breath, she straightened up, ready to face her reality.

She grabbed several tissues from the nearby box and boisterously blew her nose while pondering the idea. It was riddled with holes.

Then again, it was the only one she had, and she had absolutely nothing left to lose.

Just how awful was Frankie Peterson?

CHAPTER 5

Tuesday morning at ten, Scott Landshire rapped his knuckles against the polished mahogany door of Frankie Peterson’s office. He had been summoned with an urgency that left little room for delay.

“Come in,” Frankie’s voice sounded from within.

Scott pushed open the door and stepped inside, a prepared remark about Frankie’s latest mandate hanging on his lips. But the sight that greeted him halted his words mid-sentence. Frankie wasn’t alone. The office, usually a sanctuary of high fashion and higher stakes, had an unexpected guest.

“Have a seat,” Frankie’s voice was sharp as she gestured toward a chair opposite her desk.

The woman sitting in the other chair across from Frankie’s sleek, glass-topped desk stood and turned to face him. Doc. The very person who had become a constant prickling presence in his thoughts since her show had aired yesterday morning.

Her presence in Frankie’s office was as surprising as it was intriguing.

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