Orland and how he
refused to even discuss her proposals.
“The guy’s a lunk-head, letting a deal like that slip by!
This Rex fellow, how well do you know him?” His concern
seemed a little out of line!
“Well enough,” she snapped.
“Oh.” Jeff’s voice trailed off.
“Please, don’t mix me up anymore. I don’t know what
I’m going to do yet. As for Rex, he’s a wonderful friend.”
She realized Jeff was putting her on the defensive and she didn’t have to be!
“Let me call you tomorrow, don’t do anything in too
big a hurry! You sure did the right thing leaving that jerk Orland!” Jeff sounded very supportive.
She silently told herself. “I’m not a child you know
– and I do represent Rex’s collection and that’s quite a
calling card.”
A Memory Unchained___________ 107
She heard Jeff muttering something like, “I should be
there with you – next time.”
She wondered if she heard right. The phone began
making static again. She heard him say goodbye in the
distance. “Had he really said that?” Her heart pounded..
She closed her eyes. She could visualize his smile only half visible under his full moustache. His eyes were so blue she felt compelled to stare at them. She did miss him – and
it’s strange, she thought, he never mentioned standing her up for his cute little blonde friend. He did know the right things not to say!
A wave of disappointment swept over her again!
“Why should I care anyway?”” But her heart said she
did care. She wanted to share her love with him. She felt guilty about sounding so abrupt .
He had sounded so sweet on the phone. So concerned
about her. Why had he called anyway? She wondered. She
laid her head between her hands, “Oh God, what am I to
do?” She wished she could be in his arms listening to his wonderful voice in person. Now she felt the tug-of-war
going on in her heart! How could she think such thoughts!
Why wasn’t she remembering Tom’s arms around her? She
felt more pangs of guilt! A memory came pounding back,
a loving moment like so many, when she promised Tom
she would never love anyone else, ever!
It had been one of those many special times for both
of them. It brought tears to her eyes.
Pamela fell asleep with a heavy heart. A heart aching
for love! A fulfilling kind of love that she knew she could never have with Jeff.
Grant Mondane left word at the hotel desk that he
108 __________________Gloria Graham
would call the following morning. When the phone rang,
she was still in bed.
“Are you up?” he asked, his voice much friendlier than
before!
“Grant?” she yawned.
“Have breakfast with me, at La Boheme. I’m in a
fantastic mood and I want to make up to you for my bad
manners. Please don’t say no!”
He was very persuasive. Pamela didn’t have the heart
to turn him down!
She arrived at the restaurant only fifteen minutes late.
Grant had reserved a small table in the corner.
“This is a beautiful spot – just like I dreamed breakfast in Paris would be!” She smiled as Grant pulled out her
chair.
His manners were as polished as he looked. Every hair
was in its place, his jacket impeccably clean and pressed.
Yet, he had an underlying mystery about him that made
her curious.
After they ordered, Grant could wait no longer--!!
“Well, what do you think about Rex’s suggestion that
we try and merge our talents?”
Pamela had spent a lot of time thinking things over.
“There are a lot of things I need to know about you. Rex
explained a little about your chain, and the financial problems you are facing. But I want to hear it from you. What can you give to this merger?” She took a deep breath.
Grant opened up. “I’m one of the best business men
around and I know it,” he smiled. “The profits don’t show it this year, but I’ve had my hands tied by some cantanker-ous stockholders!” Pamela listened intently.
A Memory Unchained___________ 109
“I never had a
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