Trust in Me by Kathryn Shay Read Free Book Online Page B

grin.
    “So I see.” And she did. She’d come across this in the company where she’d worked before CompuQuest. “Just some good old male bonding.”
    Philip flashed her a puzzled look.
    She smiled sweetly, ignoring the question in his eyes.
    As the work discussion began, Margo threw herself into the meeting. She was bothered by their exclusion, not that she was at their level yet, to be included, nor would she have even wanted to go to some ridiculous out-in-the woods weekend. It was just so male .
    As Philip talked about new programs they were designing, Margo’s mind drifted to Linc and how tired he’d sounded on the phone Tuesday night. There were marked traces of fatigue in that baritone voice of his...
    “Margo, where are you?” Philip asked. “I need a final update on the design for Jamison’s energy-management program.”
    “Sorry.” She opened her folder before it hit her. “A final update? You told me to have the prelims for today.”
    “No, I asked for a design. And the prelims for Laufler’s.”
    He hadn’t. She studied him, rolling her Waterman pen between her fingers. “There must be some confusion, then.” Which both of them knew was false. Margo was organized and efficient. Everyone teased her about her Type-A personality. “I’ve only got the prelims on the Jamison account and haven’t started Laufler’s. I was waiting for the specs on the latter.”
    Silence. Then Philip smiled, and shrugged. “No problem. You can work on it today.”
    As they went on to the production schedule, Margo wondered what had just happened. She stayed behind at the end of the meeting to find out.
    As the others exited, every one of them clapped Philip on the back and made some reference to the weekend. The Ol’ Boys Network at its best.
    When they were gone, Philip faced her. “Something I can do for you?”
    “Did you have a nice weekend?” she asked. Actually, he looked like he’d had a hell of a time. His eyes were bloodshot and his skin a little pale.
    “Uh, yeah, sure.” He cocked his head. “Did you?”
    She nodded to the door and crossed her arms over her chest. “Tell me Philip, did Martin go, too?”
    “Martin?”
    “T. J. Martin.” Her competitor for VP of Engineering.
    “Sure, he came up.”
    Now, that complicated matters. It was an obvious preference over her.
    Philip stared at her. “Something wrong, Margo? You’re not still upset about Boston are you?”
    “No. That’s behind us.” She stood. “And I’m not upset.” Circling the table, she made to walk past him.
    He grasped her arm. And didn’t let go. “About Laufler’s?”
    “What about them?”
    “You’d better get to their account.”
    “Oh, I will. As soon as I get the last of the specs I need.”
    “You have them.”
    “No, Philip, you didn’t give them to me.”
    “Yes, I did.”
    God, this was odd. “When?”
    “Last week. I had Geraldine put them in your in-box.”
    “I’ll check with Gerry. But your secretary doesn’t usually make these kinds of mistakes.”
    “Neither do you.”
    She raised her brows. “I didn’t this time, either.” She shrugged to release his hand. He held on for a moment longer, then let go. “I’ll be in touch.”
    Her heart beating at a marathon clip, she walked out of the office, a million thoughts racing through her head.
     

 
    Chapter 3
    ANNIE Lang’s breath hitched in her throat as her son Matt’s color rose and his voice hiked up a notch. He paced around the cozy kitchen in his jeans and performance fleece, his Nike high-tops clomping on the tile. “I’m too old for a baby-sitter. Why can’t you just go to that stupid meeting and leave me and Faith here alone?”
    It’s a normal adolescent reaction. Don’t blow it out of proportion.
    “Oh, honey,” she said reaching out and grabbing his hand. He stopped in front of her, and she feathered back his dark hair. His shoulders were broadening and he’d topped her meager five-foot height months before. Every