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Out of sight, out of mind.This is my philosophy. If I don’t see him, don’t think about him, don’t talk about him, I’ll soon forget about him. It isn’t like he’s hanging out with Jewell — he rarely shows up at Jewell and Blake’s place. So all is well. I won’t have to see the insufferable man ever again.
The stoplight turns green — finally — and I make it to my street, pull into the driveway, and walk inside. It doesn’t matter how many times I come and go, when I look at my modest living room, peace washes through me.
It’smyhouse, a house I paid for. No bank can take it away like they did my mother’s home. My life has been difficult, but the baptism by fire — okay, baptisms in the plural — have made me stronger. I am who I ambecausenothing has been handed to me. I’m strong and independent and there isn’t anything I can’t do.
It’s time to put the finishing touches on my business plan. Next week, my life will once again change... as it has many times over. I’ll always be in the middle of a storm, and it’s not such a bad place to be. At least life’s always an adventure, one I won’t ever give up on.
Chapter Two
McKenzie
Three Months Later
“We’re officially in the black,” Zach shouts.
I take a break from staring at my computer screen and look at the smiling face of my business partner, Zach Sinclair. It really is too bad I’m not attracted to the man. He’s intelligent — one of the most intelligent men I know — and, more importantly, he makes me laugh. On top of that, he’s single.
It doesn’t matter. I feel nothing but friendship for the man. I’m broken, that’s been well established, but I’m not dead. I’m twenty-seven years old, haven’t been in a serious relationship for a long time, and haven’t been interested in being in one, either.
There are plenty of men who ask me out, but I turn them away. My ex, whose very name still turns my stomach, left quite a mark on me. I don’t need a psychoanalyst to tell me this, and knowing when and how I was messed up can’t change how I feel.
I shake my head as I come back to the present. Oh, yes. We’re in the black. “Did you ever doubt we would be?” I ask with a genuine smile.
“No. But most businesses don’t make a profit in the first three months. It usually takes years,” he replies as he props himself on the edge of my desk. Our doors have been open for two months this coming Friday, and business is good — or better than I pictured it would be at this point. I went from running an escort service, which was supposed to be great, to running an accounting firm. Excitement to boring . . . just what I need and want.
“That’s why we save for rainy days, Zach. But we still bust our asses so we don’t have to rely on savings.”
“Well, don’t get too excited, sweetheart. We’re only in the black by a very small margin. We need to land more clients pronto.”
“We’re new. It will take time for big clients to trust that we aren’t only competent, butbetterthan many other accounting firms in this area. Until then, we have a lot to smile about, because we already have four full-time employees and three part-timers. We’re doing better than most.”
“Yes, that’s true. And I have meetings with potential clients every day this week.”
“I was afraid to take on a partner, Zach — you know that. But you’ve given me reason to hope that some of you men are worth trusting.”
“Ah, coming from you, that’s a true compliment,” he replies. “We meshed well when I was your college professor. I knew three years ago you were going places. I’m glad you took me up on the offer to open this place. We’re going to be the finest accounting firm in all of Seattle.”
He impressed me with his teaching skills back then and still teaches a night class two days a week, but to have his own business has been Zach’s dream for a long time. If I hadn’t been in several of his classes over a three-year stretch, I never would’ve had the confidence to go into business with him. But I watched him do his job well and shared a few coffees with him during his office hours when I went by to ask questions. It’s too bad I don’t feel attracted to him. But it’s great he’s never shown attraction for me, either.
He’s thirty-five, though he acts younger than I do on most days. He has slightly wavy blond hair and green eyes. Most women find him charming. I find him brilliant. A work partner is far more important and reliable than a romantic one. The phone rings... and doesn’t stop.
“Beth’s out to lunch. You’re going to have to take that,” he tells me.
“Seattle Accounting, McKenzie Beaumont speaking. How may I help you?”
“Hello, Ms. Beaumont. Dixie Pedmore here. I’m calling on behalf of someone who’d like to meet with you today, if possible.”
I look down at my calendar, and today isn’t the best day, but I don’t want to turn down a potential client. Still, it’s good to show people I’m not available at the drop of a hat, that my time’s in demand.
“I’m booked up today, Ms. Pedmore. Can we do Friday instead?” I ask. Friday is three days away.
The woman pauses for a pregnant moment; she’s clearly not used to people who don’t accommodate her requests. I have a way of reading people, even over the phone. When I don’t immediately agree, Dixie sucks in her breath, not loudly, but just enough for me to hear it through the phone line. This piques my curiosity. Who does Ms. Pedmore work for? The woman hasn’t said.
“Hold for one moment, and I’ll see if that will be workable,” Dixie tells me, quickly recovering, and before I can agree or disagree, the woman places me on hold.
“Who is it?” Zach whispers.
I hold my hand over the mouthpiece in case Dixie jumps back on the line. “I don’t know,” I reply. “Someone’s secretary, I’m assuming.” A couple of minutes pass, and then I hear the phone click as the woman comes back on the line.
