Damage Control by Elisa Adams Page A

you.”
    She stood, taking his dismissal for what it was. She didn’t have the partnership yet, but she was so close she could almost taste it.
    When she got back to her office, Brian was waiting for her, seated in a chair against the wall with his feet propped on her desk. He dropped his legs and sat up as she closed the door behind her.
    â€œWell?”
    â€œI don’t have the partnership…yet…but I’m in the running.”
    A smile as wide as hers spread across his face. “Congratulations.”
    â€œIt’s a little early for that, but I’ll take it.” Unable to help herself, she wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him down for a kiss. She tried to pull away after a brief brush of lips, but he held her against him, his touch lingering. When he finally released her, she was shaking all over.
    â€œWe have to celebrate tonight.”
    â€œI don’t know if I have time. I also got the Mallory account, and he wants to see some preliminary ideas on Monday.”
    â€œThat’s incredible! I’m so proud of you. But I have to tell you, I’m not taking no for an answer. Just give me a few hours of your time. You don’t need to jump right into work after a day like this one. You need to be out celebrating and enjoying yourself for once.”
    She frowned. She’d been enjoying herself with Brian all week, and her work had to have slacked a little. She was lucky she was even still in the running for this job. No way could she jeopardize what she’d been waiting all her life for. Not for sex, of all things.
    But then again, she did feel like celebrating. She hadn’t been waiting all this time for nothing. “Your place or mine?”
    Brian’s smile dropped and his eyes narrowed a little. “No. I want to go out . To dinner. At a restaurant.”
    She nodded, but dread settled in her gut. Confusion had reigned supreme in recent days. She’d grown even closer to Brian, but now the partnership she’d always wanted was right there in front of her. Sooner or later, she was going to have to choose.
    Her cell phone rang and she hesitated to pick it up. So busy with work and Brian, she’d been avoiding Lena’s calls for the past week and had told their mother she needed to step up and help with a little of the wedding planning. She hadn’t taken it well, but Andrea couldn’t help the woman’s reaction. Andrea was slowly learning she couldn’t do everything for everybody. At least not unless she found a way to add a few extra hours to each day.
    A quick glance at the caller ID box confirmed her suspicions. She mouthed her sister’s name to Brian as she answered the call.
    â€œHey, kiddo. What’s up?”
    â€œMom said you won’t help me anymore. I can’t believe you. I thought I could count on you.”
    Andrea shook her head as Lena launched into a two-minute litany. By the time Bridezilla finished speaking, Andrea’s free hand had clenched into a fist. “I explained all this to Mom. I’m up for a partnership at work. I no longer have the time it’s going to take to help you plan this. Mom doesn’t work. She has plenty of time.”
    â€œBut Mom has no clue what she’s doing. Please, Andrea. This is my wedding.”
    Andrea narrowed her eyes. If Lena told her the wedding was more important than Andrea’s potential promotion, Andrea would find a way to reach across the phone line and strangle her. Lena didn’t mention it, so her life was saved. For now.
    Lena’s huff of breath carried across the line. “I can’t talk to you when you’re like this, Andrea. I’ll call you tomorrow when you’ve had a chance to calm down.”
    Andrea ended the call and dropped the phone onto the desktop. So much for her euphoric mood.
    Brian propped his hip on the desk. “What was that all about?”
    â€œLena. This whole wedding planning thing