Donna Hill - If I Were Your Woman

Stephanie nodded in agreement. “Sounds great. I know you could use some help, but we don’t want there to be any shouts of unfair if staff from the spa are involved in the judging.”

“Exactly. It’s not a problem. I can handle it. And what red-blooded woman wouldn’t want to look at pictures of good-looking men all day?”

“I hear that. So the campaign is under control. Next on the agenda is our business. As I mentioned in the beginning, when I did the campaign for the spa’s opening, we got mega media coverage and it brought a whole host of potential business knocking at my door. It would be great to reap all the benefits myself, though I know that would not only be stupid on my part but it would be business suicide.” She paused. “We both have strong PR backgrounds, but you have more strength in marketing. I, on the other hand, can make you believe the earth is really spinning in the opposite direction.”

Terri cracked up laughing. “That’s the move, girl.”

“So I figure that between the two of us, we can’t help but win. I have my business license. The business is in my name and if you’re willing to come on board, I’d be willing to make you a partner after a year of working together.” She’d thought about making a Terri a partner from the beginning, but she didn’t want to risk the chance that things wouldn’t work out and then get ugly between them.

Terri puckered her lips in thought. “I’ve already left my job since I’m seeing Michael on a regular basis now. I have plenty of money saved. So that’s not an issue.” She focused on Stephanie. “How about this? How about we work on projects together as long”—she raised a finger to make a point—“as I can still freelance? I get a commission from you for the things we do together, based on the value of the job, and at the end of the year we take a look at the partner thing and see how we feel.” She leaned back in her chair and waited.

She couldn’t think of a better offer if she’d come up with it herself. It was perfect, support without lifelong commitment. The best part was that with Terri still doing her own thing, there was no real need for an office—at least not now.

“Sounds more than fair to me. I can have a letter of agreement drafted for you to take a look at…say next week.”

“Not a problem.”

Stephanie leaned forward, bracing her forearms on the desk. “Not to get all up in your business, but how are things going with you and Michael?”

Michael Townsend was a partner at Sterns and Blac, a major player in the media game. According to the little that Terri had divulged, there were major no-nos with regard to relationships between staff members, particularly upper management and employees. Terri felt so strongly about pursuing her relationship with Michael that she’d recently resigned from her job to make it happen—after she’d won the annual competition—which was the whole Pause Man campaign.

Terri beamed. “Things are going great. Different but great. After we spent that weekend together during the holidays, it’s been full steam ahead. I’m happy, really happy. I do miss going into the office. But now my reward at the end of the day is a helluva lot better than just punching out!”

“I’m glad to hear it. I know how difficult it can be with on the job love affairs.” She glanced away.

“You have experience, I take it?”

“Yes, and I have nothing good to report,” she said, trying to make light of it. “But I’m glad things are working out for you.”

“If you ever want to talk about it…”

Stephanie forced a smile. “I’ll keep that in mind. By the way, are you busy this weekend?”

“Hmm, nothing special. Why?”

“The girls are getting together for a long-overdue girls’ night over at Barbara’s house and we’d love for you to join us.”

Terri’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? Wow. Thanks. Can I let you know before the end of the week?”

“Sure. Just give me a call.”

Terri nodded and began collecting her papers. “I will.” She stood, then reached for her coat. “I’ll keep you posted on how the eliminations are coming along.” She draped her coat over her arm.

Stephanie came from behind the desk. “I’ll walk you out.”

When they reached the main floor, Elizabeth was just stepping behind the front desk.

“Hey, Ellie, you remember Terri.”

“Of course. How are you? How’s the campaign going?”

“Things are going great. I was just telling Stephanie that I hope to have the finalists weeded out by the end of the month so that we can make a Valentine’s Day announcement.”

“That would be perfect. I’m excited to see who makes the cut. I told Ron he needs to enter, but he wouldn’t hear of it.” She laughed.

“Ron was our contractor when we were getting the spa together. He decided to fix a little more than hardwood floors and plumbing.” Stephanie winked at Elizabeth.

“Girl, you need to stop.” She giggled, then looked at Terri and lowered her voice. “But she’s right. And he makes sure all the parts are working on a regular basis.”

Stephanie shook her head in amusement. “Ellie, you are getting to be too much. Come on, Terri, before she tells us more than we need to know.”

Terri waved goodbye. “See you, Elizabeth, and don’t hurt that man!”

“I really like your friends,” Terri said as they approached the door.

“Yeah, they’re pretty special. So hopefully you can join us on Friday and get to know them.”

“I’ll certainly try.”

Drew opened the door for them and helped Terri into her coat. “Have a nice day.”

“Thank you. You do the same.” She turned to Stephanie. “I’ll call you.”

Stephanie watched for a moment as Terri got into her BMW and pulled off.

With that bit of business out of the way and nothing imminent to distract her, she was again faced with her own dilemma. She’d have to tell Tony and she knew immediately what his reaction was going to be. Go to the police. She heaved a sigh and walked back toward the office. Maybe it was just a onetime event. Marilyn had a moment of stupidity and that would be the end of it.

For now she’d leave it alone. But if that crazy woman contacted her again—it was on.

It was close to five by the time Tony got back into the city. He thought about going straight to the spa, sweeping Stephanie off her feet, and taking her to a romantic dinner. She’d left him two messages on his cell phone and he’d intentionally not returned her calls. His conscience was getting the best of him. He knew he was simply avoiding the inevitable—another lie. But the phone was certainly easier than looking her in the face with his latest fabricated story.

He tossed his camera bag onto the couch, rotated his stiff neck, and went to the kitchen for a bottle of water. He chugged it down as he went over in his head what he was going to tell Stephanie. They were supposed to be getting together tonight, but he knew he wasn’t up for it.

He pulled his cell phone from the clip on his belt and hit speed-dial. Stephanie answered on the second ring.

“There you are,” she said, her voice full of cheer. “I left you a couple of messages earlier. You must have been really busy.”

“Yeah, I was. I’m sorry.”

“So how did your meeting go?” She bent down and peered into the recesses of her refrigerator.

“Uh, it went fine. I’ll know for sure in a few days.”

“I’m sure you knocked ’em dead. Who was it anyway?”

“Oh, another corporate client. Needs a company brochure done. Wants shots of the interiors, staff, stuff like that.”

“Well, I don’t see how they wouldn’t hire you on the spot. You’re the best photographer this side of the Mississippi!” She giggled.