Construct a Couple by Talli Roland Read Free Book Online Page A

my emotions get in the way. I need a quote from the CEO, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do, regardless of what a ho she is. An image of Jeremy’s sad, downtrodden face that first day I met him – right after David and Julia married – comes into my head, and my fists clench. God, I’d love to slaughter that woman for the number she did on my boyfriend.
    But Julia won’t stop me advancing here, I think, as I dial the PR department. It just sucks that helping my career means giving a plug to her company, too.
    “Hello, Tanya speaking, Top Class public relations,” a voice chirrups through the phone.
    “Hi, I’m calling from Seven Days ,” I say smoothly, admiring my professional tone. I do sound like Barbara Walters! “We’re running a story on Top Class Construction this Sunday, and we need a quote from Julia Adams for the piece.” Gregor’s penetrating stare bores into me, but I refuse to meet his eyes.
    “Oh, fantastic, yes, I’m sure she’d love to speak with you,” the PR responds, as if I’ve offered her a winning lottery ticket. “We were wondering if you were going to call, actually, after we’d sent your magazine the press kit for the article. Julia asked me to patch you through straightaway if you did get in touch. Let me make sure she’s at her desk. She’s a very busy lady!” The PR releases a tinkling laugh, and I roll my eyes. Yeah, I bet she is. Busy bonking everything that moves. “I’ll put you on hold for a moment while I check.”
    As the Muzak version of ‘The Wiggle Song’ blares through the receiver, Gregor’s claws scratch at my arm.
    “What are you doing?” he hisses. “We don’t conduct interviews.”
    I wave him off, pressing the phone against my ear. I’m sexy and I know it , a flute warbles, and I think how strange it is that in seconds, I’m going to be talking to a nemesis from Jeremy’s past; someone who’s affected him hugely. Until now, Julia seemed more like a ghost than a real human being.
    “I’ve got Julia Adams on the line,” the PR says. “Julia, the reporter from Seven Days needs to ask a few questions for the article on Sunday, if that’s all right?”
    “Of course.” Julia’s cool, calm tone echoes down the line. “What would you like to know?”
    How come you’re such a giant bitch? “I’d love to hear how you grew the company to become a big success in a short period of time,” I say finally, struggling to get the words out in a neutral tone. Beside me, Gregor edges ever closer.
    “A lot of hard work and dedication,” Julia replies in a pious voice that makes me want to puke. “I worked with my husband, David, in his growing estate agency. Seeing how many of our clients wanted new developments, we discovered potential for growth on the construction side of things.”
    “Um hm.” I move my chair towards Lizzie.
    “After we developed a foothold in the housing market, we began expanding into other markets, too – even those with lower profit potential but more social relevance. We like to say we’re construction with heart, building a solid future.” Her voice is low and warm now, and she pauses as if expecting me to clap.
    “Fantastic.” I scribble down her quote in my notebook, but I’m doing one giant eye roll internally. Construction with heart? Right. “Do you think you could send me the names of some clients and their contact info? I’d love to include quotes from them in the article.”
    “Of course,” Julia responds glibly. “Absolutely no problem.”
    “Perfect.” We carry on for a few more minutes, Julia expounding on future financial projections and plans.
    “Well, I think I have everything I need,” I interrupt, when I can’t bear listening to her overconfident voice any longer. “Thank you.”
    “My pleasure. Please do call if you require anything else. Tanya will email a few clients’ details straight away.”
    “Straight away!” Tanya repeats.
    I give her my address and say goodbye. No