Third Time's a Charm by Virginia Smith Read Free Book Online

AE?”
    “No.” Her lips twitched. “Well, in a way. One of you will be transferred.”
    Tori refused to meet the startled glance Mitch shot in her direction, but kept her gaze fixed on her boss. Irritated words rolled around in her brain, and the only way she managed to keep them from shooting out of her mouth was to clench her jaw. She was not in the mood for Kate’s games today, not when she’d only had a couple of hours’ sleep working on a report that apparently wasn’t as important as she thought it was. But she knew better than to express her frustration in front of her boss. Instead, she folded her hands in her lap, leaned against the padded seat back, and waited.
    Kate held her gaze for a moment, then relented with a brief dip of her forehead. “This is confidential, so please keep this news close to your chest. Dan is going to announce his retirement next month, and I’ve been asked to take his place as a full partner in the firm.”
    Tori managed not to gasp, while beside her Mitch’s head jerked upward, his eyes round. Kate Bowman, a full partner with Mr. Connolly. This news would rock the office to its foundations. Most wouldn’t be happy about it, either. Kate’s single-minded focus and workaholic tendencies hadn’t made her a favorite of the office staff.
    “Congratulations, Kate,” Tori said when she could speak without stuttering. “A partner. That’s terrific.”
    “Yeah, wow.” Mitch actually rubbed his hands together. “Just imagine what Osborne’s going to say.”
    Kate’s promotion would be a public slap in the face to Phil Osborne, one of the other two AEs. He’d been around from the early days, when the firm was just a start-up company with offices in a strip mall, or something like that. Without a doubt, he would assume he’d be tapped to step up if one of the founders left. Tori felt sorry for him when he found out.
    “That’s one reason you need to treat this news with the utmost confidentiality.” Kate’s gaze hardened as she held Mitch’s. “Dan and Stephen want to sit down with him and explain the situation.”
    “Do you think he’ll quit?” Tori asked.
    Kate shook her head. “He’s been with Connolly and Far-rin since the early days. He’s got too many years in with this company to bail out now.” The secretive smile returned as she rocked backward in her chair. “But my promotion presents an interesting opportunity for one of you.”
    Tori widened her eyes as the impact of Kate’s words hit her. The firm had more than enough work to keep three account executives busy. They’d have to replace Kate, and there were two ways to do that. Either they’d hire someone from outside the company to take over her accounts, or they’d promote someone inside. Tori stole a sideways glance at Mitch. The only two who knew Kate’s clients inside and out were sitting right in this room.
    Mitch had obviously reached the same conclusion. The narrow-lidded glance he gave Tori held a note of speculation that hadn’t been there a moment before. She returned it without flinching.
    “Either of you would make an excellent AE.” Kate’s words drew their attention back to her. Tori straightened, her senses suddenly more alert. “Which is why I’ve decided to give you an equal shot at the promotion. I want you to design a campaign.” She picked up the papers she’d printed a moment before. “You’ve heard of Maguire’s Restaurant?”
    “Sure. Who hasn’t?” Mitch’s voice held more than the usual level of suck-up, the weasel.
    Tori ignored him. “It’s an upscale restaurant over in Twin Creek Center. They have a small menu that features mostly steaks and signature sauces. Prices are moderate to high.” She’d been there on a date last year with an attorney she met through a client.
    Kate’s forehead dipped in acknowledgement. “They’re expanding, and looking for a marketing firm to design a campaign to help them launch their new location.”
    “They’re