or else why would she be dressed like that?
The elevator doors opened and she walked out in front of him.
“Um, Gabby,” he said.
She turned back. “Yes?”
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about the CEG account.”
“What about it?”
He pulled out his most charming smile. “Well, I’m going to need some…help. And I know that Courtney found you indispensable.”
The tightening of her mouth told him that Courtney had not been that forthcoming with her about her value.
“I was hoping you’d be willing to share your expertise with me, now that I’ll be taking over the account.”
Her eyes clouded slightly. “Has Mr. Noble officially assigned the CEG account to you?”
“No…not officially,” he felt obligated to say. “Actually, that’s why I came in early, to talk to him about it.”
A small smile curved her mouth. “What a coincidence.” Then she turned and walked away from him.
Dell stood there nodding, too distracted by the swing of her shapely backside to fully comprehend her words. Then he blinked—what had she said? Something about a coincidence?
His eyes widened. Surely she didn’t mean…He scoffed—she couldn’t possibly think…
Alarm blipped through his chest when he realized that Gabby hadn’t gone in the direction of her cubicle, but in the direction of Bruce Noble’s office!
GABRIELLE STOPPED at the closed door of Bruce’s office, inhaled deeply and knocked. She was feeling more than a little off-kilter from her encounter with Dell, but she had to focus on her goal.
“Come in,” Bruce called.
She drew on the strength of a weekend of rehearsing with an amiable Bruce Noble cutout that followed her around the apartment and smiled at her across the kitchen table, while she picked at her microwave entrees and McGee munched the kibble in his doggie dish. She could do this. With a deep inhale, she opened the door and walked in.
“Good morning, Bruce.”
Her boss squinted at her, then his eyes flew open. “Ms. Flannery?”
“I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
“Er, no…what can I do for you?”
She looked at his smiling face and as she’d practiced a thousand times said, “Bruce, I want the CEG account.”
She braced for his reaction—confusion, derision, belly laughter. Instead, Bruce removed his glasses and set them aside. “The CEG account. Well, I have to admit, Gabrielle, this is a surprise…but a welcome one.”
A short rap on the door sounded, followed by Dell Kingston walking in. “Good morning, Bruce.”
Gabrielle set her jaw at the intrusion.
“Morning, Dell. Ms. Flannery and I were just talking about the CEG account.”
She caught the flash of panic in Dell’s eyes before it was replaced by cool confidence. “Oh, good. Because I was thinking that Gabby should be given the official title of assistant on the account.”
Bruce pursed his mouth. “You do?”
“Absolutely,” Dell said magnanimously.
“Gabrielle thinks that she should be given full responsibility of CEG.”
Dell emitted a good-natured laugh that stiffened her spine. “No offense, but I don’t think that Gabby’s ready to take on a client as high-maintenance as CEG.”
“You mean as important?” Gabrielle said, crossing her arms.
Dell conceded with a nod, splaying his hands wide.
Under Dell’s penetrating gaze, a hot flush began climbing her neck. For a few seconds, her mind whirled in desperation as the familiar speechlessness threatened to overtake her. With great effort, she dragged her gaze away from Dell’s and back to the smiling face that had watched television with her and chased a tennis ball around the apartment.
“I’ve devoted six years to this firm,” she said, her voice steady. “I’ve worked with some of the most obscure, unusual and difficult products in our lineup, and the clients have always been pleased.”
Bruce nodded in agreement, and it was all she could do not to pet his head.
“I want this account,” she added, lifting her chin. “I know the products inside and out. I designed the advertising literature and wrote most of the copy. I suggested and managed the overhaul of the online store.”
Dell scoffed. “Desk work is one thing, Bruce, but you know the people at CEG—they’re outdoorsmen, and so am I. When I’m not here, I’m mountain biking, hiking, climbing, rappelling, you name it. I live this stuff.”
Bruce looked to Gabrielle, seemingly waiting for more ammunition.
She swallowed hard. “I’ve worn out the stairs in my apartment building, personally testing CEG backpacks and hiking boots. And for the past three months I’ve slept in one of their tents pitched in the living room of my apartment.”
Both sets of male eyebrows shot up at her pronouncement, then Bruce’s phone rang. He glanced at the console. “Excuse me for a minute, I need to take this call.”
Gabrielle turned and reached for the door, but Dell beat her there and held it open for her. She glared at him, then walked through. Out in the hall, the tension between them was palpable. She tried to tamp down her nervousness, telling herself that she had presented her case well. Bruce hadn’t laughed at her, hadn’t dismissed her, hadn’t reminded her that last week he and everyone else had seen her tighty-whitey underwear.
Then Dell’s soft laugh caught her attention. He looked conciliatory. “Gabby, come on, you don’t really expect Bruce to give you CEG. Why don’t you just stick to the feminine hygiene products and leave CEG to someone who can handle it?”
In that instant, her heart shriveled. She realized that all the times Dell had been flirtatiously teasing her, inside he’d been laughing at her clumsiness and labeling her as incompetent. He truly didn’t think she was capable of competing on his level. If he knew how she’d fallen for him over those fleeting shared moments, he’d have an even bigger laugh at her expense.
She felt like a fool. Her wounded pride threatened to disable her, but she hardened her jaw and spoke through clenched teeth. “My name is Gabrielle. And no matter what Bruce decides, please don’t patronize me, Dell.”
Something unrecognizable flared in his eyes—hostility? Resentment?
Bruce’s door suddenly swung open and he beckoned them both inside. Gabrielle preceded Dell, her body stiff, and wondered if she’d be able to back up the statements
