Page 48 of The Surrogate Mother

Denise is giving me the stink eye from across the room. I wrack my brain, trying to remember the list of slogans I had saved on my computer. There are others they might like better. If only I could remember…

“How about,” Monica says suddenly, “Cuddles Baby Food—because your baby deserves the best.”

The slogan rings a bell. It’s from the list of rejects from last night.

Cofield turns to stare at the woman who’s been serving him coffee and helping with the projector. A slow smile curls across his lips. “Actually, I like that.”

Monica beams. “Really?”

“Yeah!” He nods vigorously. “It’s clean, simple… and it guilt trips the parents into paying a little more for our baby food.” He leans over to grin at Denise. “This girl here is a gem.”

“Well, I can’t take credit,” Monica says quickly. “It was on Abby’s list. She’s really the one who came up with it.”

“Yes, but you’re the one who knew it was right for us,” Cofield says. “That’s half the battle.”

“Very true.” Denise smiles warmly at my assistant. “You know, Monica is one of our rising stars here at Stewart.”

She… is?

The meeting is salvaged, but I don’t feel good about any of it. Cofield was supposed to love my presentation. Instead, somehow Monica stole the spotlight withmyslogan. When the meeting ends, the people from Cuddles are chatting her up likeshe’sthe one in charge. Meanwhile, Denise grabs me by the arm so hard, it feels like she might yank it out of the socket.

“What wasthat, Abigail?” she hisses in my ear so theCuddles people can’t hear us. “You almost blew it. Are you ondrugsor something?”

“It was an honest mistake,” I mumble.

Her ice-blue eyes meet mine. “People get fired over honest mistakes.”

“It all worked out okay.”

“Yes, thanks to yourassistant.” Denise shakes her head. “I don’t know what’s going on with you lately, Abigail. Perhaps something in your personal life.” That’s an understatement. “But you need to turn it around. Fast.”

“It won’t happen again.”

“No. It won’t.”

Denise gives me one last ice-cold look, then turns on her heel to speak with Cofield, a bright smile now transforming her face. I can’t remember the last time Denise has smiled like that at me. She’s right that I’m the one who screwed up today, but it’s not like she’s making things any easier.

Monica goes to the back of the room to clear away the coffee and I join her. If things keep going the way they are now, soon my only responsibility will be bringing coffee to these meetings.

No. That’s not true. I’d be fired first.

“I hope I wasn’t out of place speaking up just now,” Monica says as she wipes a coffee stain off the table.

“Of course not.” I force a smile. “You saved the meeting.”

She smiles back. “You think so?”

“Sure,” I tell her, even though it kills me to say it.

“Monica!” Denise calls to her. She’s standing by Cofield and the other men from Cuddles. “Come here and join us for a moment!”

“Uh…” Monica glances at the leaky coffee pot and the cups scattered everywhere. “Let me just get this cleaned up.”

“Nonsense,” Denise says. “Abigail will clean up. We’d like to speak with you.”

I watch in disbelief as my assistant goes to speak with the executives while I tidy up the coffee. I feel sick. I’d been grateful to Monica for rescuing me during the meeting, but now I wish she’d just left me to flounder.

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