Fair Play by Deirdre Martin Read Free Book Online

Corporation acquiring their business.
    They weren’t prepared for him showing up with a hot-tie in tow.
    Both women arrived at the office early to get a head start on work. Despite protests that they were “ruthless slave-drivers hell-bent on exploiting his gentle nature,” Terrence went out to pick up a tray of muffins and croissants they’d ordered from a nearby bakery. When he returned, he made a great show of plonking the tray down in the middle of the conference room table, declaring, “I give and I give and I give, and what do I get?”
    â€œHealth insurance,” Theresa replied.
    That shut him up.
    Watching Janna raise then lower the conference room shades at least half a dozen times, Theresa knew her friend was nervous. But she also knew the minute Banister strolled through the door, Janna would morph into the ultimate professional, all hints of anxiety completely submerged. This transformation always amazed Theresa, who was less skilled than Janna at masking her emotions. This was why they’d agreed that Janna would do most of the talking. Theresa still squirmed with embarrassment whenever Janna told the story of how, when they worked together at The Wild and the Free, Theresa had quietly voiced the desire that one network exec’s arms would blacken, wither and fall to the ground, only to find out that he was Sicilian, too, and had understood every word.
    Definitely better to let Janna do most of the talking.
    Theresa was both anxious and irritated. Like Janna, she was afraid Banister would come in, and using corporate doublespeak, threaten to blow them away. But she was also resentful of the sheer greediness of Butler Corporation. Did they have to own everything? Couldn’t they leave a couple of the smaller firms, like theirs, alone?
    Ted Banister arrived promptly at ten, looking distinguished in a steel-gray, Italian silk suit and Bally shoes as he flashed a smooth, nonthreatening smile no doubt perfected over years of corporate dealings. Theresa reckoned him to be about fifty, judging by his mane of well-groomed silver hair and the deeply grooved crow’s feet around his eyes. By his side, looking just as polished but completely uncomfortable, was a young, handsome man somewhere between twenty-five and thirty whom Ted introduced as his nephew, Reese Banister.
    â€œReese recently graduated from Harvard Law and is eager to learn the ropes. I hope you don’t mind if he sits in on our meeting.”
    â€œNot at all,” Janna assured him, ushering both men into the conference room.
    Theresa followed right behind, closing the door. Since Janna was now in pro mode, she had no way of telling whether or not Janna really did mind if Reese was there. Theresa couldn’t take her eyes off of him. He was preppie gorgeous, with pale blue eyes, a strong jawline, and blond, sun-kissed hair that probably came from time spent playing touch football on the beach at Hyannis or Martha’s Vineyard. He smiled at her shyly as he took the seat opposite. She acknowledged him with a polite nod of the head, as she settled back in her chair to hear out his uncle Ted.
    Banister began by saying, “I’m here today because Butler Corporation has been watching your business since its inception two years ago. It’s very impressed with the client roster you’ve managed to assemble in that short time. Clearly, the two of you are extraordinary business-women.”
    â€œThank you,” said Janna.
    â€œYes, thank you,” Theresa echoed. Her gaze drifted across the table to Banister the Younger. He was staring at her. Flustered, she looked away, turning her attention back to Janna.
    â€œWe appreciate the compliment,” said Janna, “but I’m sure you didn’t come here to feed our egos.”
    â€œNo, of course not.” Banister coughed uncomfortably. Perhaps he was unused to Janna’s form of directness. “I’m here to tell you Butler