AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The plate slips to the floor, and so do I. I am flushed with heat, fighting for breath as the world spins.
I hear voices. Who are they? Who are they?
I see Owen. Am I in his arms? I cannot speak. I would reach for him, but my arms are so weak.
I know fear, such terrible fear that clings to me as I die in my Worth gown on the ballroom floor.
I seem to be standing aside, watching and fearing as Owen holds me. I see the woman in black walk in. Why don’t they see her? I would call out, but I have no voice.
She takes the ring from my finger, the beautiful wedding ring designed only for me.
She puts it on her finger where she wears three others.
She looks at me, and I am so afraid. She looks at me and smiles a terrible smile, and I am more afraid still.
Then she is gone, as I am.
Sonya spent the early part of her workweek ignoring the occasional bangs and slams, the bell ringing when she pushed herself down to the gym.
She sent proposals off to the Doyles and to the florist, and made what she considered solid headway on the caterer’s project.
Midweek, she took a call from her old boss.
“I waited until noon,” Laine told her, “hoping I’d catch you on a lunch break.”
Lunch was usually half a sandwich or some cheese on crackers, maybe an orange at her desk. “It’s good to hear from you, Laine.”
“How are you doing, Sonya?”
“Really well, thanks.”
Her iPad blasted out “R.O.C.K. in the USA.” She swiped it off.
“How are you, how’s Matt, and everyone?”
“We’re good. Situation normal, so, you know, controlled chaos. Sonya, we got a call from Burt Springer. Ryder Sports.”
“I remember Burt, sure.”
“Ryder’s opening another branch in Portland, Maine. They’ll still have their three Boston stores, including their flagship.”
Puzzled why Laine would contact her about an account, Sonya answered cautiously. “Business must be good.”
“Must be. They want to refresh everything with a major campaign. It’s a big expansion for them. Keep the logo, but with an update. Burt asked for you specifically.”
“Oh.” Torn between pleasure and regret, Sonya reached for her Coke. “That’s flattering.”
“You did good work for Ryder, and Burt knows it.”
“I had a team.”
“You did. And I’m going to be honest. I told him you were nolonger with us, and we could certainly handle the project. I also gave him your contact information. Matt agreed with me on that.”
After the quick jolt, she struggled to keep her voice even. “That’s more than generous of you, both of you.”
“Fair’s fair. He’ll certainly contact you. In the meantime, we’re going to work up a proposal and presentation.”
“Of course.”
