Page 124 of Savage Suit

“Your turn,” she said with forced cheer.

After swallowing the last of my food, I wiped my hands off with a napkin. I glanced at the time and scowled but texted my driver we’d be ready in five minutes. I rested my elbows on the table and smiled at Ryan. “What made you interested in advertising?”

“My mother’s father worked in advertising, and the stories she remembered my grandfather describing sounded straight from Mad Men. And the actual show, especially Peggy Olson, continued my interest in the profession and its history, specifically women in advertising.”

“So, your grandfather and Peggy Olson are the reasons you’re in advertising?”

“Yep.”

“Fascinating. Although I’m dying to know more about you, we must get back to the office.” I got to my feet, unable to recall being so annoyed at returning to work.

For years, work was the crutch keeping me sane. I enjoyed what I did for a living, so I didn’t mind the long hours. But right now, I wanted us to enjoy the afternoon and forget every single task on today’s calendar. Mrs. Mikes and Megan were more than capable of handling whatever arose.

Ryan grabbed her bag and stood. “I’m ready.”

My thought was too impulsive to implement. I glanced at the table to make sure we had everything and noticed the dishes stacked on top of each other, easing the waiter’s collection of the remnants of our meal. The corner of my lip turned up at her kind gesture.

“We should do this again,” Ryan said as we walked out of the small building.

“Yes.” I agreed, grinning again, pleased at her casual suggestion. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d smiled as much. “We should.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Breathless, I nearly tripped over my feet as I dashed into the Keegan building, horrified at the time. 9:30. Thirty minutes later than my report time. Until today, I’d arrived earlier than necessary almost every morning. Day in and day out, I hurried through dressing to assure my prompt arrival. New York traffic was unpredictable.

Today was a prime example. As I did every day, I got up at seven to dress for the workday. An hour later, I was ready to go. Yet, an hour and a half after I left my home, I was just arriving. Besides traffic being an absolute ass today, Sandy was giving me trouble again.

Last Tuesday, I’d gotten an unexpected bonus deposited into my bank account. Instead of using it as a down payment for a new car, I’d paid for Sandy’s repairs and had picked her up over the weekend. Yet, she’d once again been difficult. More than once, I’d thought I’d need another tow truck.

Inside the building, I chuckled at spotting the little pumpkins and skeletons on Jose’s desk. I waved at him, smiling as I passed him, and he mirrored my gesture. Hurrying to the bank of elevators, I hit the ‘up’ arrow, willing the doors opennow. Tardiness was one of Noah’s major pet peeves, so he was going to hand me my ass.

Maybe he’d give some slack thanks to the news we’d gotten not long after returning to the office after our lunch. Against all odds, Boyd Andrews announced their agreement to cancel the smell-alike with Sauncier and proceed with KMG’s scent. We signed the paperwork last Wednesday. All systems were going at Mach speed because of the tight timeline.

The icing on the cake was Friday’s call from Boyd. KMG was still in the running to handle the pillar launch. Our odds of being awarded the campaign were slim, he’d warned, but it was still a possibility.

The elevator doors opened, and I almost squealed in relief. Stepping in, I hit the button for floor twelve, listing everything on my agenda for the day. Foremost, stopping by Noah’s office and explaining my tardiness. Only then could I discuss his need to come up with a name for his mother’s parfum.

I was averaging fourteen- and fifteen-hour days, but without a name, it would screech to a halt.

Second, I had to give Mrs. Mikes my notes from this weekend, so she’d type my proposal. Noah expected the document by this evening. Third, Claude Amage demanded another presentation. I needed to jump on that and secure Noah’s approval since it concerned budgeting.

“Floor twelve,” the familiar robotic monotone announced. Stepping off, I bee-lined for Mrs. Mikes’ desk, just as she was disconnecting from a phone call.

I prayed my appearance didn’t reveal my rushed morning. “Good morning, Mrs. Mikes.”

“Good morning, Ms. Hagen. Mr. Keegan wants to see you in his office.”

So eager to chew my ass out. “Right.” I dug into my briefcase and handed her a folder just as my cell phone alerted me to an incoming message. “I need a proposal typed by this afternoon.”

“I’ll complete it long before then,” she promised, turning to her desktop.

A quick glance at my cell phone revealed Billy’s message, asking for my preference for lunch. My stomach was in knots, and the thought of food nauseated me. I sent him a quicksurprise me, then dropped my phone back into my purse.

Sighing, I trekked to Noah’s office, not looking forward to his verbal lashing. I wanted the confrontation over. No, I wanted seeing him behind me. This morning, I would’ve appreciated his arms around me. His lips on mine. His cock inside me.

Jesus.

I paused and fanned myself. “You got this, girl.”Are you sure about that?Fuck, I was positive. My body didn’t crave his. Our morning meetings weren’t the highlight of my day. He had ordinary blue eyes and an itty-bitty dick not even a gnat would appreciate.