Page 48 of Release
Chapter 19
“I’ve gotthose VIP passes you wanted for Max and Rosa,” Rick announced the next day in the late afternoon, stepping into her office with a brown envelope in one hand.
She beamed up at him from her desk. Giving Wilkes the boot was probably the best thing she had done in a really long time. “Sweet. Thanks Rick. I didn’t know you were still here.”
“You’re not the only one burning the midnight oil.”
“It’s barely seven o’clock, Rick. Stop exaggerating.”
“It feels like midnight, especially now that you pissed off your ex-boyfriend and gave me the task of sorting out his termination agreement.”
“We both knew this was where things had to go if I wanted to get my life back, Rick. Did you see the stunt he pulled at the interview yesterday morning?”
“Sure, but it was not as believable as what you two did at your front door. That kiss looked damn real, if you asked me.”
“Don’t you start. Anyhow, what have the lawyers said?”
“About Wilkes? Easy as pie. A few million will do it, along with throwing in an extra percent or two of royalties for this upcoming album. I always told you he was all about the greenbacks.”
“You did, and that settlement is more than reasonable. Hey, you think you can get somebody to send these tickets off for me? The way my schedule has been, I’ll probably forget they’re here on my desk. I want to make sure Dad and Rosa get them.”
“Not a problem. I’ll take care of it. By the way, can you spare an hour to meet with someone?”
Alexandra looked at the clock on her desk. “Now? What for?”
“You’re going to love me.”
She groaned.
“Clearly you’re having a great day, and I’m about to make it better,” Rick quipped, unaffected by her sour mood.
Alexandra growled. “Rick, please.”
“Lexxi, have I ever let you down? This is important.”
“Okay what is it?”
“The woman you’re interviewing for the Chief Operating Officer position next week is right outside your office.”
“What? How come?”
“I bumped into her over lunch and suggested she come by. You’re welcome,” Rick hummed.
“Do you have time to meet her with me? I need you to be on board with whoever we choose.”
“I’m on board, Lex. Trust me. She’s the right person for this job. Easy on the eye too, if you know what I mean,” he said with a wink.
“Okay. Give me a minute, then bring her in.” Alexandra stepped into her private powder room and got herself together.
Returning to her desk, she pulled up the file that Human Resources had emailed to her a few days earlier. She needed to have some background on the candidate who could turn out to be in the top operations spot here at Purple Blaze. Alexandra would still maintain the CEO position, but with Ladonna Johnson potentially handling the day to day management of the company, the very idea felt like a weight off of her shoulders.
At the knock on her door, she ran a hand down her shirt and took a calming breath. “Come on in.”
Rick breezed back into her office, followed by the woman who stretched out a hand for a handshake.
“Hello, how are you?” Ladonna Johnson greeted her. The attractive middle-aged woman with blonde hair and watery blue eyes flashed a brilliant smile and a confident disposition. Half-rising, Alexandra shook her hand and then gestured for them both to have a seat.
“Are you ready for this?” Rick asked Ladonna with a grin.
