Bonnie Winn - The Mommy Makeover

As promised, Finn delivered her to the Republic Bank Building ahead of schedule—a full ten minutes early. But even though he pointedly glanced at his watch as she exited the car, she didn’t comment.

“Did Daniel give you today’s schedule?” she asked instead.

“He faxed it to me.”

“Then you know I have a steady stream of meetings all day.”

“Yes.”

“Fine. It’ll be a full day, then.”

“So it seems,” he replied, managing a reasonably charming smile.

She looked at him, searching for sarcastic undertones, then decided to let it go. Gripping her briefcase, she headed inside the building for meeting number one.

Finn watched her walk away, thinking she was true to form. He wasn’t any more significant to her than the dozens of strangers crowding the sidewalk. In fact, if the limo could operate on automatic pilot he doubted she would miss his presence.

Clamping on his hat, he set the alarm on his watch for two hours from now, then climbed inside the car. If he was going to do battle with the ice princess, he had to get some z’s.

STEFANIE LANGSTON paused in front of Daniel’s desk, perching her slim, elegant body on the one empty corner, languidly swinging her impressive legs. Daniel smiled in appreciation as he rapidly concluded his phone call.

“This must be my lucky day,” Daniel told her as he hung up the phone, his eyes resting on her beautiful face.

She smiled, raising her brows ever so slightly. “Of course, dear boy.”

Then they both grinned, accustomed to this banter.

“She in?” Stefanie asked, referring to Katelyn.

“Yep. And your timing’s exceptional. She should be off this conference call any minute now.”

Stefanie nodded, then her expression grew thoughtful. “That’s good.”

Daniel picked up on her changing mood. “Something wrong?”

Again she nodded. “You remember that talk we had a while back? About how Katelyn’s been all work and no play?”

Daniel nodded cautiously. Although he and Stefanie had an easy, friendly rapport, he didn’t want to confide his plan to her.

“Well, I think it’s getting worse. I asked her the other day if she’d met anyone interesting and she told me she’d stopped looking.” She met Daniel’s eyes. “And that can’t be good. In fact, I can’t remember the last time Katelyn was excited about someone she was dating.”

“True,” he agreed. “And she’s not acting much like herself anymore.”

“I read you, Daniel. She’s edgy, impatient, and I think she’s forgotten how to laugh.” Stefanie narrowed her eyes knowingly. “But I don’t have to tell you. She can’t be a lot of fun to work for these days.”

That much Daniel was willing to admit. “You’re right. I’m worried about her.”

“Me, too.” Stefanie pulled her perfectly arched brows together. “Frankly, I think she needs to meet someone new, someone she can’t dismiss. Someone who could turn into a significant other.”

Daniel looked at her in surprise. “You’re advocating marriage?”

“Okay, so I’m no Betty Crocker, but Katelyn’s not like me. I grew up with all the traditional trappings and I know it’s there if I choose that road—” She grinned wickedly in self-derision “—or not. But Katelyn thinks she’s not cut out for the serious stuff, and I disagree. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be reexamining her decision to remain married only to her career.”

Daniel hadn’t counted on an ally in Stefanie. “So you think she might need a push in the right direction?”

Her eyes lit up. “Precisely.” She adopted her best mock alluring expression. “I knew I liked you, Daniel.”

“It’s mutual. And who better to nudge her in the right direction than us?”

Stefanie grinned. “Exactly. We can be discreet, thoughtful…” she paused with a wicked grin. “And pushy.”

Katelyn’s office door swung open. “Hey, Stef. What’re you doing here?”

“I thought I’d kidnap you for lunch.”

Katelyn automatically glanced at her watch. “I wish I could, but I don’t have time for lunch today.”

“Maybe dinner then?”

Katelyn shook her head. “I’m booked tonight, too.”

“Hot date?”

Katelyn laughed cryptically. “Date? What’s that? Nope, this is strictly business.” As she spoke, Katelyn reached for the stack of messages on Daniel’s desk.

As she did, Stefanie exchanged a look with Daniel.

“Okay, I sense a brush-off when I hear it,” Stefanie replied.

“It’s not that, Stef, really. You know you’re my dearest friend and I’d love to spend an evening with you. Let me grab my planner and we’ll set up something. Maybe next week?”

“Sure.”

“Actually, I have about five minutes before the next meeting. Come into my office. There’s just enough time for a cup of coffee.”

Stefanie trailed behind Katelyn, turning slightly before entering the office. She caught Daniel’s gaze, cementing their alliance.

KATELYN RELAXED in the dark interior of the car, relieved that the last meeting of the day was finally over. The nagging heartburn that had been erupting since her five-o’clock meeting was now a full-fledged fire in her stomach. Digging in her purse for an antacid, she fervently wished for a cigarette. At that moment, her fingers came across the Walkman Daniel had given her.

Maybe the tape could really work. Lord knew she needed to drop this irksome habit. It was getting to be easier to sneak a marching band into most places than a cigarette. Even the car her firm paid for was off-limits. It was beyond annoying. Not to mention the fact that she had so far failed to control this one aspect of her life.

With that thought she put the headphones on. As with any subliminal tape, she really didn’t understand it, but she was so tired. And the beginning just seemed to drone on about the benefits of listening to subliminal tapes. Still, she found herself relaxing, her head nodding as she leaned back in the seat. Maybe if she just closed her eyes for a minute…

“The freeway’s closed, we’re going to have to take Memorial Drive,” Finn told her.

When she didn’t reply, he sat in silence for a few moments. But silence had never been his strong suit. “That okay with you, Ms. Amhurst?”

Still no reply.

“Hey. You alive back there?”

Stopping at a red light, he craned his head back and saw that she was fast asleep. Even in sleep, she was an enigma. Although signs of weariness creased her face, she was also incredibly alluring. Asleep, she possessed a quality not visible while awake—a touch of vulnerability. Finn wondered if it was a trick of lighting or his own imagination.

But then her lips formed a quiet sigh. Inexplicably, the sound moved him. It shouldn’t. Katelyn Amhurst was a rigid power freak. Still, the fleeting glimpse made him pause. How much of that was genuine? Was there another Katelyn beneath the corporate killer?

The car behind him honked. Pulling back from the thought, Finn accelerated. The movement caused the papers resting on the front seat to fall to the floor. He had picked them up from the back seat, intending to sort them. Katelyn had emptied her briefcase between meetings. He guessed some of the papers might be ones Katelyn needed, but they were mixed with bits of trash.

Stopping at the next light, he reached for the papers, his hand closing over a small piece of cardboard. He started to drop it on the seat when he noticed that it was the inner paper from a cassette tape. He scanned it quickly: “Embrace Your Femininity.” Startled, he glanced back at Katelyn. No wonder she looked a tad vulnerable. But that was no doubt temporary. As the light changed, he slipped the label into the glove compartment.