Seduced by Mr. Right. Pamela Yaye

you. I’m fine.”

      Mrs. Fontaine sat down on one of the wrought-iron chairs, and Sharleen did the same.

      “Over the years, you’ve become good friends with Ms. Calhoun, and I want to ensure her departure doesn’t cause you any unnecessary grief.”

      Confused, Sharleen furrowed her brow. “Her departure? I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

      “I’m surprised she didn’t tell you.”

      “You’re surprised she didn’t tell me what?” she repeated, wishing her boss would quit talking in circles and tell her what the hell was going on. Sharleen knew Jocelyn was worried about her mother’s health and wondered what had happened.

      “Has she taken a leave of absence?”

      “No. Ms. Calhoun has been relieved of her duties.”

      Sharleen struggled to find her voice. “B-b-but everyone loves her,” she stammered. “She’s the best life coach here and—”

      Mrs. Fontaine scoffed. “No, she’s not.”

      Oh, that’s right. Brad is. He’s your favorite. He’s everyone’s favorite. Sharleen despised Brad McClendon, and that would never change. When he wasn’t talking trash about her to their colleagues, he was stabbing her in the back and trying to steal her clients. All because she’d spurned his sexual advances at last year’s Christmas party. His boy-next-door charms fooled everyone—including their boss—but Sharleen saw through his phony, I-love-everybody facade. He was a know-it-all, with an ugly attitude, and she didn’t trust him.

      “I didn’t come here to gossip. I came to discuss your career.” Mrs. Fontaine clasped her hands around her knees. “You’re a valuable member of the Pathways team, and I have high hopes for you.”

       You do? Really? Then why are you so hard on me?

      “I hope you’re not still upset about your performance review last month...”

      Sharleen was, but she would never admit it. She didn’t want Mrs. Fontaine to think she was overly sensitive, so she dismissed her boss’s concerns with a flick of her hand. “Of course not. I appreciate your honesty, Mrs. Fontaine, and your thorough assessment of my performance. I love working here, and I’m going to do everything in my power to promote this wonderful, life-changing center.”

      Mrs. Fontaine’s face came alive and visibly relaxed. “That is wonderful news. You looked upset after our meeting, and I feared you were going to quit.”

      “You can’t get rid of me that easily,” she joked. “I’m one tough cookie!”

      Mrs. Fontaine laughed, and Sharleen did, too. Her joke lightened the mood, and the tension in the air abated. They spoke about ways to attract new clients and how to boost staff morale. Moments of levity with her boss were few and far between, and she enjoyed their one-on-one time. Finally, after working together for years they were starting to make some headway.

      “I look forward to working with you and the rest of the Pathways team for many more years to come.” As Sharleen spoke, her boss’s smile got bigger, brighter. Encouraged, she went on. “I’ll miss working with Jocelyn, but her departure won’t have a negative effect on me. I’m committed to my clients, and I’d never do anything to impede their personal growth.”

      “As you know, I’m expanding our services and planning to open centers in Seattle, Houston and LA later this year,” she said proudly. “I’m going to need someone I can trust to be my vice president, and I wanted you to know you’re one of the top contenders for the job.”

      Sharleen wanted to break out in song, but she squelched her excitement. “When will you make a decision about the position?”

      “By the end of May, if not sooner.”

       Great! That gives me eight weeks to prove I’m the perfect woman for the job.

      “I better go.” Mrs. Fontaine glanced at her gold wristwatch and rose from her chair. “I need to speak to Brad about Emilio Morretti before he leaves for the day.”

      Oh. Hell. To. The. No! Sharleen surged to her feet. She didn’t want to get on Mrs. Fontaine’s bad side, but she had to set her boss straight. “I met with Mr. Morretti on Wednesday morning, and he made it very clear that he doesn’t want a life coach.”

      “He’s still grieving the loss of his nephew. He doesn’t know what he wants.” Her tone was brisk, matter-of-fact. “Mr. Tate has given us a lot of business over the years, and we can’t afford to disappoint him.”

      Sharleen wanted to roll her eyes, but she nodded her head in understanding. One minute we’re sharing a laugh, the next she’s taking jabs at me. Go figure! Mrs. Fontaine’s words were a veiled insult, a slap in the face, but Sharleen didn’t argue. She saw the bigger picture, understood what was at stake, and knew if she played her cards right there’d be a promotion in her future. Listening with half an ear, she considered her next move.

      “Mr. Tate is a successful business manager, and every time one of his celebrity clients is photographed leaving our center the phones ring off the hook!” Dollar signs twinkled in her eyes. “Brad is a stellar life coach. He can get through to Emilio Morretti. I know it.”

      And what am I? Chopped liver? Her body tensed, and her mouth curled in disgust. Pressing her lips together to trap a curse inside, she fumed. If I lose another client to Brad I’m going to scream! On the surface Sharleen remained calm, but she was annoyed with her boss and angry at herself. If she’d signed Emilio on Wednesday, instead of making googly eyes at him, she wouldn’t have to go toe-to-toe with Brad for her client. “I deserve to be Mr. Morretti’s life coach. I specialize in grief and trauma, and furthermore, I booked the initial consultation.”

      “But he dismissed you shortly after you arrived at his estate.”

      Sharleen winced, as if in physical pain. What the hell? Is Antwan my friend or not? She didn’t appreciate him talking to Mrs. Fontaine behind her back and planned to tell him just that the next time she saw him.

      An idea came to her in a flash. Bingo! That was it! She’d have drinks with Antwan and Emilio at the Halftime Bar and convince Emilio to sign with her. It’s either that, or lose him to Brad-the-blue-eyed-schemer! Sharleen felt guilty about missing her uncle’s retirement party, but she couldn’t give Brad the upper hand, not with the VP position at stake.

      “I’m meeting Mr. Tate and Mr. Morretti tonight to finish our consultation.” The lie came out of her mouth in a breathless, nervous gush, but she continued full speed ahead, before her boss could question her. “I’m confident Mr. Morretti will sign with us once I tell him more about our top-notch, award-winning agency.”

      Her boss gave her a bewildered look and scratched her head. “I’m confused...”

      Sharleen gulped. Her palms were slick with sweat, but she maintained her poise. She desperately needed another crack at Emilio Morretti. But when she opened her mouth to plead her case, Mrs. Fontaine raised a hand to silence her.

      “I spoke to Mr. Tate at length this morning, and he never mentioned your meeting.”

      “He’s a very busy man. It must have slipped his mind,” she said, shrugging her shoulders good-naturedly. The fib fell off her lips with ease, sounding plausible, convincing, too. “Since Halftime Bar is only a few blocks from here, I’m planning to head straight over once I finish my last session of the day.”

      Her boss’s nose wrinkled in distaste. “You’re going to meet Emilio Morretti dressed like that?”

      “Is there something wrong with my outfit?”

      “Not if you’re going to a funeral!” she scoffed, her thin lips curved in disapproval. “Emilio Morretti is an international superstar and one of the sexiest bachelors in the world.”

      “And?”