Having Fun with Mr. Wrong (13 page)

****

During the next twenty-four hours, Carmala worked tirelessly and made her goal. The next morning she knocked on Tom’s door, and he motioned her in.

“Well, how are we doing?” he asked.

“I’ve scored three-point-four million dollars for Smithinson. That’s bound to blow their socks off, especially since they were only hoping for two million.”

“You go!” He bounced from behind his desk, shook her hand so vigorously she feared he’d knock her arm out of her shoulder socket. All was well. She couldn’t have been happier that she was able to impress him. Her hard work had paid off. In a huge way.

“Now all we have to do is sell the client. I have a meeting with them tomorrow.”

“Terrific. Are you sure you don’t want me to come along, in case you need backup?”

“No, Tom. I got it, honestly.”

“Okay. Do you have the disclosures for them to sign in order?”

“I do. I’m proposing they take the company public within twenty-four months so they can repay their initial investments.”

****

When the presentation was complete, George addressed Carmala. “We’re impressed with the money you have lined up. We can’t help but win with this backing. The extra investment money you’ve secured will more than compensate for the additional costs for the expansion of Health-to-Go.” He addressed the board. “I vote we move forward. How do you rule?”

The board agreed unanimously to move forward with the plan. Health-on-the-Run Marts were going be installed in all of the Smithinson gas stops that had convenience stores.

Synergy Plus was in favor with Smithinson, and everyone was happy. Carmala wondered if Synergy Plus would give her an even bigger challenge next time and maybe a promotion for the coming fiscal year. God, she hoped so. If the assignment didn’t kill her.

Chapter Ten

Three weeks after the Smithinson win and still reeling on the incredible high, Carmala took a languorous moment and admired the early December snow trickling down outside her office window. Business activity had slowed, as expected, during the holiday season. She had some loose ends to tie up with Smithinson and a couple of other less complicated clients to work with, but nothing new. She decided to cut out early. Heck, she deserved some time to herself. As promised, she’d brought in the big client, Smithinson, before year-end. Besides, she needed to do a little Christmas shopping.

Before five o’clock, with trickles of guilt seeping through her consciousness, she ducked out of the office building, grabbed the subway to City Hall, and browsed the shops at Bryant Park. The stores were comprised of glass-enclosed small structures selling art, handcrafts, jewelry, scarves, and hats. A huge Christmas tree, fully decorated, stood in the park center. Off to the side of the park stood an enclosed ice-skating rink. She longed to put on skates and glide on the ice, but it was bitter cold, so she settled on buying a hot chocolate instead.

Maybe this year they’d have a white Christmas.

She strolled up Fifth Avenue and gazed at the beautiful storefront windows. The chill went right through her mink coat. On a whim, she decided that the weather called for high tea at the Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel. The tearoom was packed, requiring an hour wait, so she headed to the Champagne Bar instead.

She’d ease her slightly guilty conscience by using the opportunity to prospect for a new client. Chances of attracting a high-profile client seemed more likely at the Plaza than a small time Chamber of Commerce business-networking event. As she waited for a martini, she noticed a remarkably handsome man sitting at the opposite end of the bar. She could check him out pretty well since the bar accommodated seating for only eight people. Plus, it was empty. She attempted to peek at him without his notice.
Hmmm
. A sharp dresser. Possibly a businessman.

Whoops!
He met her gaze through the mirror. Embarrassing but not exactly flirting and not entirely businesslike. She smiled confidently.

Suddenly, she and the stranger burst into a simultaneous laugh.

The waiter came with her martini. “Madame, the martini is on the gentleman at the end of the bar.”

“Please, tell him thank you.” She inclined her head and lifted her glass to the man. Smooth move with the martini sending. Sneaking another glance at him, she examined him a little closer. His suit was well made, professional but not too corporate. He wore a collared, white shirt buttoned all the way and no tie. The tip of a red hanky peeped out of his jacket pocket. The stranger caught her eye again and lifted his glass to her this time. Feeling silly, she returned the motion again.

The back-and-forth gestures were getting ridiculous. Maybe she should go over to him and introduce herself. However, just as she put her drink down and wiggled off the stool, she spotted him walking toward her.

Guido would be pissed with this scenario. But who knew? This stranger might be a prospective client. In her line of work—and especially now that she was in commission-based sales—she had to play this social game. Occasionally, she’d send a drink to a prospect, and sometimes it was vice versa. No harm. No foul. For some reason, she couldn’t resist this man’s inviting smile, and she didn’t want to.

The stranger arrived at her side. “Hello, gorgeous. I couldn’t help noticing you in the mirror. I’m Jon Barlo.” He extended his hand.

“I’m Carmala Rosa. It was a bit hard not to notice you as well. And thanks again for the martini.” She clicked her glass against his, and they sipped their drinks in unison.

“It appears you’ve started your night early.”

She glanced at her watch. “It
is
almost five o’clock.”

“I can’t imagine what a beautiful woman like you would be doing here by yourself.” He settled in a seat next to her and finished his martini, then motioned to the waiter for another drink.

God. She’d promised to cook tonight, and now she totally didn’t feel like it. If she showed up tipsy, Guido would be angry.

“I’m celebrating the launching of a client that’s been a bear to get on paper. And my new job that’s going rather well, if I do say so myself.”

“Tell me about it.” As he focused on her intently and leaned in, she could tell he was genuinely interested.

“I don’t want to bore you.”

“On the contrary, I’d love to hear all about it. Regale me with your tales of corporate takeovers. You seem like a tough businesswoman with that fine power suit and those killer heels.” Jon made an elaborate show of eyeing her up and down in a complimentary and not sleazy way.

He pleased her, but she wondered about his motives. She couldn’t get a good read on him and felt a cold vibe from him. On the surface, Jon was warm and gracious, yet there was a definite underlying coolness. He was flirtatious, yet at the same time he didn’t seem to be making a move on her.

He motioned to the bartender for another round of drinks. “It’s not very often I’m out of the office this early myself. So tell me about your deal.”

She didn’t know if it was the drinks talking or if she felt an immediate kinship with Jon, but she opened up like a flower. She told him about her job as a public accountant, her new position with Synergy Plus, and the recent client, Smithinson. He seemed to listen with a keen intelligence, asking questions at all the right places.

If only Guido had shown that much interest in her. On an intellectual basis. Half the time she could tell she bored him with her career chatter. Mostly, she held back, not wanting to sound as if she were bragging to Guido. She hated that she couldn’t fully be herself.

But she shouldn’t make comparisons. It wasn’t fair.

“That sounds really exciting. You’re a smart lady. I’m sure Tom Johnson was impressed.”

What?
He knew her boss?

He raised his brows. “I actually had some business dealings with Synergy Plus. They’re, indeed, a good firm.”

“What do
you
do?”

“I’m a fashion merchandiser.”

“Really?” She took the opportunity to make a show of checking him out head to toe, as he’d done to her. “Love the clothes. Tell me more about what you do. I’d like to hear more…” She glanced at her watch. It was already six. “Shoot, I’ve got to get going. I promised to cook dinner.” She specifically left out
who
she was making dinner for because she didn’t want to get into the whole boyfriend thing.

“I’ll tell you what, here’s my card. When you get a chance, shoot me an e-mail. Maybe we can meet up for drinks sometime soon.”

“That sounds great, Jon. It was wonderful meeting you.” She threw his card in her purse and finished off her martini. When she stood, Jon stood with her, and without a word, he took her hand and kissed it. What a gentleman.

She said goodbye and quickly made her exit, a bit worried Guido would question why she was late. She grabbed a cab outside the hotel. On her way home, she wondered about her new acquaintance. Jon hadn’t exactly flirted with her, but he’d given her the kind of attention that only a male would give her. One thing was for sure, he was definitely interesting. And fashion merchandising? Also interesting. She hadn’t met anyone in the industry.

When Carmala arrived home, Guido was in a surprisingly good mood. Thank God, he’d just gotten home as well, even though it was close to seven. He offered to take her out to eat, despite her promise to make dinner. And what a relief it was because Carmala didn’t feel up to cooking. On the other hand, she didn’t feel like going out. Guido suggested Chinese takeout and ran out to get the food. As an added bonus, he hadn’t asked a single question about where she’d been. Sometimes he could actually act cool. However, she could count the rare occasions when he didn’t give her the third degree. Such was life with Guido.

****

The next week, on a slow afternoon, Carmala poked through her bag and came across Jon’s card. On impulse she shot him an e-mail saying how nice it was to meet him and that she’d like to schedule a meeting, making sure the tone was professional.

Shortly after that, she got a call.

“Is this the famous Synergy Plus power broker that I’ve heard of?” A man’s voice came through on the line, but not one she’d recognized.

“It could be. Who is this?”

“Jon Barlo.”

“Oh, my God! It’s good to hear from you. You got my e-mail that fast?”

“Sure did, and I have a special invitation for you, Carmie.”

Carmie? She liked it. It was cute. His use of the nickname gave her the impression he’d known her all his life. It felt strangely comfortable.

“What did you have in mind?” She idly clicked on a new e-mail that popped up on her screen.

“I have to attend an after-work function at the Rainbow Room next Tuesday and wanted to know if you were available to go with me. I know it’s getting close to the holidays, so I understand if you can’t go.”

Hmm. The Rainbow Room? Fancy.

“It sounds like fun.” Then thinking out loud. “What should I wear?”

“Wear? Leave that up to me, of course. I work at a fashion house, for God’s sake. Come over to my office, and I’ll set you up with makeup, wardrobe, the whole shebang.”

“Is it that formal?”

“It’s formal but fun, and it won’t even be a late night. I’ll have you home safe and sound by nine. Think you could get away for it?”

“I’m sure I can work something out. Where and when?”

“I’ll have my car pick you up at work, say four thirty. Is that all right?”

His car?
She hesitated. Fashion merchandising must be a good business if he could afford to send a car for her. Then again, limos-for-hire were common in New York City, and his company must be paying for it since it was a formal event. “Okay, sure, I’ll be ready. I’ll see you next Tuesday.”

“Ciao, for now.”

His invitation made for an interesting dilemma. She didn’t consider the outing a date, so technically she wouldn’t be cheating on Guido if she went out with Jon. He could very well develop into a business contact. Besides, Jon didn’t behave as though he was making a move on her. He mentioned something about getting her home early. She hoped he assumed she lived with a significant other since she said she had someone at home to cook for. No matter what the perception was, she truly thought the event would be a treat. She’d never stepped inside the Rainbow Room before. She was dying to go!

What would Tom say about Jon? In the short time she’d worked for Synergy Plus, she’d grown close to her manager. They’d hit it off when she audited Synergy Plus. But now that she worked directly for him, they occasionally confided the goings-on of their home lives. Tom knew about the ups and downs of her relationship with Guido. She tried not to reveal too much detail, but that didn’t prevent Tom from being a little overprotective of her. He knew she was still young, away from her family, and out in the big sea of sharks.

****

Before she left work on the night of Jon’s event, she poked her head into Tom’s office. He motioned for her to come in.

“I have a fancy shindig to attend tonight.” She explained how she met Jon and about her invite for the night.

Tom perked up. “I’m impressed. He’s an old friend and business associate of Synergy Plus.”

“Jon said he’s a fashion merchandiser. I don’t know a heck of a lot about the fashion industry. Other than what I like to buy and wear. Tonight is a formal occasion, and he’s having a car pick me up. La de da!” She grinned.

“You do know you’re going out with
the
Jon Barlo to attend the Designers’ Award Ball, don’t you?”

She paused. Nerves jangled in the pit of her stomach. “I wasn’t aware of an award ceremony. He made it sound like it was a formal occasion his company needed him to attend.”

“Wait a minute, Carmala. You think he’s attending this
for
his company?”

“That’s what he said.” She was confused but curious about what Tom was getting at.

“In a way, it is for his company, but it’s really for Jon. He’s Jon Barlo of the Barlo House of Fashion and Design. We did work for him some time ago when he developed his studio.”

“
His
studio? He was so nonchalant about the entire affair and low-key about his career. I had no idea.” She should have Googled him.