Anita Bunkley - Suite Temptation

I was right to leave Andre, she told herself. If I hadn’t, I never would have accomplished the goals I set for myself, and I never would have created the company I love so much.

Becoming a successful businesswoman had been Riana’s dream since she was young, going back to the days when she had taken the city bus across town to the private school that she and Britt had attended. Cruising through the crowded business section, she had gazed out the windows, fascinated by the women in tailored business suits, carrying expensive looking attaché cases who hurried across intersections and along the streets, going in and out of the multiwindowed buildings. She had always wondered what they did behind those heavy doors of brass and tinted glass, in those rooms looming high above the city.

During her senior year of high school, Riana accepted a part-time job at a national life-insurance agency whose offices filled seven floors of a building in the heart of the business center. Thrilled to finally be a part of the fascinating world she had longed to explore, she quickly imitated the dress, the stride and the in-office mannerisms of the women with whom she associated. Her salary was low, her job was tedious, but she went to work every afternoon with a smile on her face and an intense desire to do her best. That approach, coupled with a positive attitude, soon caught the attention of Madeline Betts, the vice president of the insurance company.

Madeline took Riana under her wing and coached her on the ins and outs of the insurance business. Told her how to get what she wanted from the corporate managers—all males—who dominated the company and presented great challenges for women with drive and purpose.

Learn to be tough, but fair, Madeline had told Riana. Be persistent, but not overly aggressive when negotiating. Never take anything or anyone for granted. Don’t compromise, if doing so would leave you with regrets. And most important of all—never burn bridges, or let anyone burn them for you. We’re all too interconnected to take such a chance.

Riana had thrived under Madeline’s tutelage, and when she applied for admission to graduate school at the University of Texas, Madeline Betts wrote the glowing recommendation that Riana believed had won her a full scholarship to the master’s program in the College of Economics. With her advanced degree, she had been quickly snapped up by Sweetwater Finance where the most important thing she learned was how not to run a company. Getting fired had definitely been a blessing in disguise.

Now, as she studied Andre’s Web site photo, she wondered if finding him again would turn out to be a blessing or a curse.

It was difficult for Riana to gauge George Allen’s reaction to the candidates she had presented for his consideration and she was beginning to get nervous. Ten days had passed since he’d first contacted her and it was time for him to let her know whom she ought to pursue. With a great deal of care, he read over each résumé, made a few notes in the margins and then set it aside before going on to the next.

At last, he removed his glasses and placed them on the conference table, prepared to reveal his decision.

“They all look good, Riana,” he finally said, drumming two fingers on the hard, polished wood. “Tomas Segovia has great credentials, but everything he’s done looks the same. Nothing innovative there,” Allen replied, thumbing his chin as he leaned back in his big leather chair. “Sandra Morehouse’s last job was extremely well executed, but it wasn’t well received by the county officials.” Allen tucked his bottom lip beneath his teeth as he considered another résumé. “Now, this young man takes a fresh, bold approach to his designs. Exactly what I’ve been thinking about for Tierra Trace.” He focused on Riana when he said, “I think what Andre Preaux did with the Arbor Oaks design was most impressive. He just might be able to deliver what I want.”

Allen’s comment threw Riana momentarily off guard, though she knew it shouldn’t have upset her at all. He was right: Andre’s striking design, which had addressed important environmental, residential and economic factors had made it a winner, making Arbor Oaks stand out from the plethora of average projects that the other architects and planners had completed. However, all of Andre’s talent didn’t erase the fact that it was going to be very difficult for her to approach him, and she didn’t dare reveal her concerns to George Allen.

“His firm is very small. In fact, he may be a one-man shop. And other than the senior citizens’ facility, he hasn’t done much to prove his talent,” Riana quickly tossed back, a worry frown creeping over her brow.

George Allen nodded his understanding, but countered her concern with a statement that made Riana’s stomach tighten. “I still think he’s the one. What draws me most to Preaux is that he took risks with unusual materials and he got the job done in record time.”

I once took a risk on him, too, and got involved in record time! But I let him down hard and I doubt he’s forgotten, Riana silently recalled, wishing she could remain impartial.

“Reminds me of myself when I started out,” Allen continued. “All I needed was the right break. Someone to connect with my vision. I see no reason why I shouldn’t at least give him first shot.” He arched a brow at Riana, who smiled demurely and inclined her head. “Set up an interview. I want to know more about Andre Preaux. If he doesn’t work out, we’ll move on to someone else.”

“That’s a good approach,” she agreed. “Let’s hope Preaux is interested in meeting with me. From the look of his Web site, I gather he’s a pretty busy man. I haven’t spoken to any of the candidates yet, but I’ll contact him first, have a friendly chat and explore his future plans. Then I’ll know how to move ahead.”

Allen turned his perceptive gaze on Riana, shaking her out of her miserable dilemma. “If he works out, this project may go down on the books as my riskiest one ever. My first time using Executive Suites as my search firm, and now I’m actually thinking of hiring a novice architect to help design my complex. Some people might think I’m crazy, but this is what keeps me excited and engaged in doing business: the discovery and promotion of new talent. Riana, here’s what I want you to do. Schedule a personal interview with Andre Preaux as soon as possible, don’t just talk to him on the phone. Go to see him. I’d like you to spend time at his office, see where he works. Check out his surroundings. If possible, feel out colleagues about his work ethics, his management style, his temperament. And for this project, I’ll have to have a criminal background check on him, too. You know what I’ll need.”

“Yes, I do,” Riana replied, girding herself for this difficult recruitment task. If she had to go to Houston and face Andre, she’d go, and she’d recruit him for the job and earn a nice fee from George Allen, too. And while she was at it she might as well make the trip do double duty and take care of some business while there. “I’d been planning on going to Houston anyway,” she told Allen, sounding as casual as she could manage. “I want to check out the Executive Suites franchise there. It’s not doing well, the owner wants to sell, and I’m considering buying it.”

“Good idea. I heard you talking about your expansion plans when you were on Community Business Focus. Houston’s a good market for recruitment. As I’ve always said, the only way to be successful in business is to grow, grow, grow. Staying small never leads to anything but remaining exactly where you are.”

“I agree,” Riana replied, her mind already spinning with ideas about how to approach Andre. She’d have to plan her tactics carefully, remain totally about business with no treks down memory lane, no conversation about regrets, no emotion. She would plunge into the task fully prepared to get the job done in record time and then, she hoped, she’d never see or speak to Andre Preaux again.