A Perfect Compromise. Anna Sugden

strong, too.

      Bella popped into his head, as she had every day since he’d returned from Antigua.

      Never before had a woman had such a lasting impact on him.

      J.B. shook his head. It didn’t matter. Their relationship was over and he was good with that. He didn’t have the time, energy or inclination for commitment. Being back here only emphasized his feelings. His family’s responsibilities weighed heavily, as if he were the one suffocating under the pressure.

      Bella was...had to be...nothing more than a pleasant memory.

      * * *

      “IF WE CAN’T paint the town red, then watching Colin Firth isn’t a bad alternative.”

      Relieved that Sapphie didn’t mind their last-minute change of plans for the Labor Day weekend, Issy sighed. “Thanks. I really don’t feel up to a dinner cruise tonight.” The thought of putting on a fancy dress and heels, and spending the evening on a boat on the Hudson made her stomach pitch. “I promise I’ll make it up to you on your next visit.”

      “You’ll get that chance sooner than you think. Part of the reason I wanted us to go out was that I’ll be spending a lot more time on the east coast over the next twelve months.”

      “You got the contract with Marty Antonelli?”

      “Starting Tuesday, I’ll be evaluating the basketball team he bought and advising him on how to make it a more financially viable enterprise.”

      “Congratulations!” Issy squealed as she jumped up and hugged her friend.

      This was a major coup for Sapphie. She’d worked hard to get her foot in the door with the technology billionaire who’d recently acquired several sports franchises.

      They danced around like lunatics for a few minutes, then collapsed on the sofa, laughing.

      “I know you like hockey and football. What do you know about basketball?” Issy asked.

      “Not a lot. But I used that to my advantage. I told Mr. Antonelli that he didn’t need someone with preconceived ideas about the team.”

      “And he bought that?”

      “Of course.” Sapphie blew on her nails and polished them on her top. “That, and my impressive track record.”

      “I’m so proud of you.”

      Sapphie had always found a way to make things work more efficiently and effectively while squeezing a quart out of a pint-pot budget. She’d put herself through college with her projects on the side for local companies. It hadn’t been a surprise when Sapphie had formed her own management consulting firm.

      Issy couldn’t help being envious of the way her friend was able to improvise and adapt, to achieve whatever she set her mind to. If she’d had even half of Sapphie’s talent, Issy would have been made head of department before, instead of being passed over for ‘more experienced candidates’ the past two times the position had become vacant. Certainly she wouldn’t have had to jump through hoops for one more year to prove to Farlingdale Academy’s board that she was capable of taking over the retiring head’s position.

      She frowned at the snack foods on the coffee table. “We should be celebrating with something fancier than popcorn, chips and sodas.”

      “Trust me, this is great. I get enough fancy food at work. Besides it’s the company and—” Sapphie indicated the Pride and Prejudice DVD “—the entertainment that makes this a real celebration.”