Kiss Lonely Goodbye by Lynn Emery Page A

going on an extended lunch,” Russell snipped. He glanced from Nicole to Marcus.
    â€œWe have to eat, too, Russell.” Nicole knew she sounded defensive. Several employees pretended to look busy, but they were obviously drinking in every word.
    â€œLet’s go in Nicole’s office,” Marcus said in a voice of authority. He marched on without waiting for anyone to respond. Once there, he held the door until everyone was inside, then shut it.
    â€œRussell, so help me if you make one more scene in front of my employees—” Nicole shook a finger at his nose.
    â€œ Your employees?” Russell cut in.
    Marcus took Nicole by the arm and led her a few feet away from Russell. “Let’s keep calm.”
    â€œI should be CEO and everyone knows it,” Russell said in a calm tone. “But we’ll let our attorneys sort it out.”
    â€œWait! I’m getting a psychic message from Uncle Hosea. He’s saying ‘When pigs fly,’” Nicole shot back.
    â€œNicole, remember we just worked off tension,” Marcus mumbled.
    â€œLet her make clever jokes. We know the truth.” Russell looked at Marcus with a smirk.
    Nicole’s eyes narrowed to slits as she turned to Marcus. He looked at Russell instead of returning her gaze.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” Marcus asked evenly.
    â€œThe silent alarm went off at Best Deal Liquor Store. Andre is talking to the police now. I think they had a burglary, but I haven’t had a chance to talk to him,” Cat said in a rush before Russell could speak.
    â€œOne of the guards got sick at the Delia Fine Gallery’s grand opening reception. So, her salon filled with priceless African-American art has no protection. Another didn’tshow up for his shift at a gospel concert across town,” Russell said with a sneer. “If I had the proper authority I could have resolved these issues.”
    â€œJesse called in two people who are on their way to the job sites.” Cat cut her eyes at Russell in disapproval. “Everything is okay.”
    â€œI’d hardly call four disasters within the first three weeks she takes over ‘okay.’” Russell crossed his arms and gazed at Nicole.
    â€œYou’re fired,” Nicole said.
    â€œYou can’t fire him,” Marcus mumbled aside to her.
    â€œI know.” Nicole exhaled slowly. “But it still felt so damn good saying it.”
    â€œI’ll be in my office. Pick up the pieces the best you can. Section B, clause six should kick in anytime now. Can’t wait to see you explain everything to Francine and the family.” Russell strolled out whistling.
    Cat sorted through Nicole’s phone messages quickly. “You know, I might be able to handle some of these. Y’all need to talk.” She cast a look of sympathy at Nicole as she left.
    â€œAhh!” Nicole searched for something to throw. She spotted a coffee mug with the company logo and picked it up.
    Marcus grabbed her arm. “Breaking things won’t help.”
    Another man might have been doubled over in pain by now for making such a mistake. Instead Nicole stared into brown eyes that seemed to pull her into them. She could feel his breath on her left cheek like a whispery kiss. The sensation raised the hairs on her neck. Stiff, self-important, and passive aggressive he might be, but she wanted him. And in an instant she decided to have him, every inch of his fine candy-coated tan body. So began another legendary Nicole Summers Benoit campaign to get what she wanted. She relaxed her arm slightly and let it drop until it rested against his flat stomach. A coy smile would be too obvious. Marcus wasn’t the type to fall for the obvious. Still, the way he held onto her and didn’t move away said a lot. Best to appeal to his sense of professional decorum. No drama, Nicole .
    â€œYou’re right,” she said quietly. “My inner spoiled brat keeps