In a Heartbeat Read Online Free Page A

time is your business. But I’m trying to do a job here and I can’t do it if my male executives are drooling over your legs.” He glanced up at her. “You can go now.”
    Clutching her legal pad to her chest as if it were a shield, she backed out of Renard’s office. She was still swearing under her breath when she returned to the conference room.

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    Donna Richards
    “Hey, boss lady,” Max greeted her. “Your mother call— Whoa, are you all right?”
    “What do you mean?” Angie asked, catching her breath after her stormy retreat down the hall.
    “Your face is bright red.” He pushed back the chair and stood by her elbow. “Do you need your pills? Maybe you should sit down.”
    Now that he mentioned it, she did feel flushed and her heart… Well, her heart reminded her that there were worse things in life than Renard, although at the moment she couldn’t think of one. Still she didn’t need Max fawning over her like an invalid.
    “I’m fine, Max.” She took a deep breath. “Just give me some air. I had another run-in with the arrogant egomaniac.”
    “Renard,” Max supplied with a knowing glance. “You know, Angie, all the secretaries and clerks like him. A lot. You’re the only female in this building who can’t seem to get along with the guy.”
    “That’s because the rest of the women don’t have to work closely with him.” She pushed herself away from the wall and walked over to the pink pile of phone messages left by her computer. “If they did, they’d know better.” She picked up the top note. “My mother called?”
    “Yeah, about ten minutes ago. She said it wasn’t important but to call her when you can. So what did he say this time?”
    “He said I was wasting his staff’s time and, Max, can I ask you a question?” She shifted uncomfortably. “I need your honest opinion.”
    “Sure, Angie, what’s up?”
    “Do you think this suit is professional and appropriate for work?” She worried her lip, hoping he’d give her the answer she wanted.
    “I’m not the fashion police but I think you look great.”
    His wide smile gave her the confidence to narrow his response. “And the skirt, you don’t think my skirt is too short?”
    “I’m not complaining.”
    “Max.” A bit of doubt dampened her sense of righteousness. “Be serious.”
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    In a Heartbeat
    “I am serious. You’ve got the best set of legs in the office.” He gave her a thumbs up.
    Her heart sank. His overzealous response revealed what his words didn’t. How was she supposed to get through the rest of the afternoon when all she wanted was to hide under the conference room table? She lifted her trench coat from the back of the chair and slipped her arms in the sleeves.
    “Now you’re cold?” He frowned. “Are you sure you’re feeling all right?
    Maybe I should call your brother.”
    “My brother?” She narrowed her eyes. “How do you know my
    brother?”
    “From the company picnic last July, remember? He played right field.” Max visibly withered under her glare. “He just happened to mention that if ever you needed help or anything, you know, due to your condition, he said I should call him.”
    “He did, did he.” A weight heavier than that of the khaki trench settled on her shoulders.
    “He also said you’d be pretty ticked if I mentioned it to you.” Max’s voice dropped. “Sorry about that.”
    She buried her face in her hands. Her eyes burned. She might as well be back in that hospital bed with absolutely no privacy and unable to do the simplest thing for herself.
    “Angie?”
    Still, her heartbeat pounded in her ears, reminding her of the foolishness of that feeling. If only the others could hear the strength of that beat.
    She pulled her hands away from her face and clasped them together in front of her. “You don’t have to call Stephen.” She chose her words carefully, not wanting to lash out at Max. “He sometimes