Page 101 of Cowboys at Coconuts

“Gotta run, honey. I want to grab an egg sandwich before I board the plane.”

“Have a safe flight, babe. I love you.” Suzy hung up feeling mystified. On the one hand, she and Izzy had never gotten along well. She was glad to be rid of Izzy’s stupid phone addiction which annoyed her to no end. On the other hand, she couldn’t wait to have her husband to herself but did want her stepdaughter to be involved in the twins’ lives. They’d be half siblings, after all. With mixed emotions, she refilled her tea.This will be an interesting experiment and life change.

Chapter 93

Dreading going to work after the disastrous board report and especially after the horrible email blast exchange, thanks to Hannah, Alex made sure she was on time.

She crossed the lot and entered the back door code. Before she passed the copier machine near the back door, her boss, arms crossed, and not in a relaxed way, glared at her. “Meet me in my office.”

I’m getting fired.Mind racing, Alex followed Jim into his corner office and sat in a chair. Shoulders stiff, she chewed on her bottom lip. “I guess I should start from the beginning.”

Mouth in a grim line, Jim said, “Whatever you have to say right now doesn’t matter. I’m disappointed in you, Alex. First, your marketing report was a disaster. Then you had the audacity to call our esteemed board president names.” Throwing up his hands, he added, “If that wasn’t enough, you accused my daughter of setting you up.”

Always one of the bank’s stellar employees who received high praise during evaluations, Alex couldn’t believe her ears. “I-I—”

The bank president raised his voice. “I’m not finished. Hannah’s in charge of marketing now. At least until the dust settles. We’ll see how it goes.”

Alex opened her mouth to defend herself but closed it. Nepotism was on the tip of her tongue but blurting that out wouldn’t pay her monthly bills.

“I have a customer coming in.” Her boss’s tone was wooden.

Knowing it was no use to contest his decision while he was still furious, Alex didn’t utter a word. Gathering her purse, she crossed the lobby where Hannah was already seated—at her desk.She’s obviously already been told about our role reversal.

“Morning, Alex.” Crossing her feet on the edge of the desk, Hannah said, “Before we begin, I’d like some coffee.”

Alex scowled at her intern but didn’t say a word. She knew she couldn’t quit. Not until she had several months of cash saved. As she climbed the stairs to the employee lounge, she wished she had the nerve to spit in her intern’s coffee. The thought made her smile at least.I’ve got to look for another job. But where will I go? Another bank? Jim would likely make me sign a non-compete clause. I really shit in my nest.

Returning to the office where Hannah was stretched out as if she were in a recliner, Alex plunked the coffee on her desk and slumped in a chair usually reserved for customers or Hannah. “I guess you’re thrilled with how this went down. You and I both know exactly what happened. Thanks for setting me up. You added those names and hit ‘reply all.’”

Pursing her enormous lips, Hannah said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Alex rolled her eyes. “Whatever. We need to work on the—”

Voice shrill, Hannah said, “I’min charge now. I’ll tell you what we’re working on. Why don’t you update the annual report?” She gave a wicked smile. “I know how much you loathe those.”

“The report doesn’t need to be updated for months.” Alex reached for a pending file. “We need to—”

Undaunted, Hannah continued. “After that, I’d like for you to pick up some brochures at the printer.”

“Why?” Alex’s brows knitted. “The printer delivers.”

“Pick them up anyway.” Hannah turned toward her computer. “What’s your password?”

She’s enjoying this role reversal way too much.I can’t tell her my password is:ihatehannah123. “Um, I’ve forgotten. Just change it to something you’ll remember for now.”

Clicking the keyboard, Hannah said, “Yeah, right.”

Chapter 94

Still humiliated and furious after discovering Sebastian had created the greatest illusion since Houdini to get her on a plane to New York, Cheri plucked her ring from her armoire and had her doorman hand deliver it to Sebastian on a freaking silver platter. At least that gave her satisfaction.

After three cups of coffee, she worked up the nerve to call her surprisingly not-so-shocked mother the news. Breathy, and blowing smoke, Victoria attempted to be motherly and take Cheri’s side. Cheri half heard her mom’s “Darling this and darling that and mentioning she noticed Cheri never spoke of her fiancé, which wasodd.” She felt relief after her mom promised to tell her always-absent father since disappointing him would be too much to endure.

Pacing her plush living room, Cheri read the note Alex had left thanking her for her hospitality.I’ve got to come clean to my girlfriends—and fast—before they find out my secret.

Stepping from room to room, a headache bore down. Still angry with Sebastian, mad at herself, and sick with worry about Cole, she peered out a window and watched the unknowing masses on the Manhattan sidewalks. All she could think about was her simple, yet perfect, day with Cole.I’ve got to go back soon. After I meet with my employees at Fifth Avenue Catering, I’m hopping on the next available plane.

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