FRAGILE: Part 1 by Kimberly Malone Read Free Book Online

up, startled at the thought. “Really?”
    “I’m not saying they will,” Larisa said quickly.
    “They haven’t mentioned anything about stopping business with us, have they?” I ask.
    “No,” Larisa says. “I haven’t checked when their contract ends just yet, but I suppose there is the possibility that your, uh, visit was probably sufficient to keep Mr. Richardson on your good side.”
    We share a grin before I look back down over everything on the legal pad as the waitress brings out our sandwiches. “There’s a couple of these I’ve never heard of before,” I say. I eat some French fries before I start on my sandwich.
    “The sales team’s been doing some research on up-and-coming companies,” Larisa says. “And they really think we have a shot. I think Icarus is going to give you a run down on all of this during tomorrow’s meeting, but I wanted to give you some insight before the meeting.”
    I smirk. Larisa has a habit of prepping me before the meeting when my other employees would prep me. I don’t mind it; I just often feel bad that I’ve got folks whose efforts are overlapping. I’d redirect Larisa’s work if I didn’t always find out something from her that no one else noted. And, my other employees did great reports and often had stats that Larisa didn’t bother with. It always worked out. It is just funny.
    After a long drink of my coffee, I set the legal pad down and look out the window. I’m partly thinking about the list of new names, but most of my brain is thinking about Eli.
    He’s so fascinating. So mysterious. So sexy. I’m drawn to his self-assured demeanor, and I’m puzzled by his dislike for personal questions. I want to know more about him, and I’m surprised that I’m already missing him.
    “Ruby?”
    I blink my eyes and look back at Larisa. “I’m sorry, were you saying something?”
    “Are you okay?” Larisa asks me.
    “Yeah, I’m sorry. Just thinking.”
    Larisa grins. “So how long until you move out?”
    “Move out?” I ask, confused. I like my penthouse, even if it feels oddly fancy for me.
    “So you can move in with a rather attractive man that I won’t name just yet, but you’re probably thinking about,” Larisa says.
    I raise my eyebrows at Larisa, and she laughs. “Realistically? Or ideally?” I ask.
    “Come on,” Larisa says. “Give yourself more credit!”
    “I’m not going to claim I’m ugly,” I finally say. I’ve had enough compliments to believe people—at least most of the time. What girl doesn’t feel ugly from time to time? “But the guy isn’t exactly swooning over me. And I told you, he’s not interested in a long term relationship. That was probably it.” As the words come out of my mouth, I can’t help sighing, saddened.
    “Whatever,” Larisa says. “I’ve got no doubt you’ll change his mind.”
    We laugh as we finish our sandwiches, sketching out a plan of attack to earn some more distributors.
    ***
    I’m looking at sketchpad filled with crossed-off ideas for a new design line when my phone rings. Glad for the interruption, I pick it up. “Hello, this is Ruby,” I say.
    “Miss Jennings,” Larisa says. “Jeff Hendricks from Chargene Jewelers wants to schedule a meeting with you.”
    Jeff Hendricks is the CEO of Chargene Jewelers, another of Ruby Jewelry’s distributors. I tense at the tone in her voice. “What’s wrong?”
    “Jeff wouldn’t say, but he said it was urgent,” Larisa says. “I went ahead and booked it for Thursday at two o’clock next week.”
    I wince, immediately dreading this meeting. “Thanks,” I say. “Would you ask Icarus to get me reports on our line item sales through them, and a copy of their contract?”
    “Of course,” Larisa says. “I’ll get it on it. Talk later.”
    “Talk later,” I say. I hang up, set my phone down, and stare at my chicken scratches on the page.
    It’s a good thing today’s Thursday, because I’m already worn out. While Ruby’s Jewelry