Mr. Right.com (21 page)

Angela opened the door. “Hurry the heck up!” She slammed it shut.

Olivia wasn’t going to take too much more of that. She quickly lathered up and rinsed off. She was tempted to put on another pair of pajamas. Thinking better of it, she slipped on a workout outfit. Olivia brushed her teeth and gargled before coming out to see them standing in her room like it was after school, and they were on the playground waiting to kick her ass.

“I’m up. Now I’m clean. What do you want?” She glared back.

Angela put her hands on her hips. “Oh, hell no, don’t even get funky with us.”

“Angela, baby, calm down. Liv, we are here ‘cause we love you, girl. You had us worried. I understand what happened, but dang. We have your back,” Devon said.

“Yeah, sis, snap out of it. You’re not missing out on anything, leaving them folks. They are the ones hurting.” She walked over and hugged her.

“You guys don’t get it. I walked away from my job, my career. What am I supposed to do now?” She was on the verge of crying—again.

“You walked out on a bad situation and into your new life. It’s a fresh start. Besides, you hated that place. You always said you did all the work. This is your chance to show them,” Devon moved in for the group hug.

They held her tight until she felt smothered. She backed up, wiping away her tears. “What’s that in your hand?” Olivia asked.

“Your mail,” Angela said.

“I know that; I’m talking about the red flyer sticking out on top.”

“Didn’t notice it. Here.” Angela held it out.

Olivia took the mail from her. The flyer was for a small business seminar starting at two o’clock that day. It was only ten now. She had plenty of time. This had to been some sort of omen.

“You guys are right. I’m about to take back control of my life, starting now.” She waved the flyer at them.

“Now, that’s my girl. Me and Angela will get out of your face now that our job is done,” Devon said.

Before the door closed all the way, she had one last thing to say to them. “When did you guys become a couple?”

Angela smiled at her and gave Devon a quick peck on the lips before leaving her in silence.

Olivia was glad they came by. She needed the wakeup call.
What the heck was wrong with me?
It wasn’t just about the job. It was everything, including her leaving Travis.

***

She’d always wanted her own business. Olivia had been running one for years but the temporary agency would be her baby. This was her chance. With $25,000 from The Playhouse, $72,000 in her savings, a nice 401K, and her severance package, she was going to be more than okay.

The seminar was just what she needed. They had a complete start-up kit, along with a guide. She’d met some great connections. One of them owned some real estate and offered her a downtown, historic office space at a nice rate. Other small business owners needed experienced office staff, which she was eager and ready to provide. Olivia ran an advertisement on Career Builder and Monster.com and ended up with a response way larger than anticipated.

The online office testing Olivia provided weeded out a lot of the nonqualified. The interview process got the rest. One of them included the girl she’d seen Travis with. Olivia had no clue it was her until she showed up for an interview. She had a great resume and scored well on the tests, but the fire-engine hair along with the stars and stripes on her extra-long fingernails were not for the corporate world. Olivia had no choice but to pass on her. There was no way she was putting her company’s name behind that. People needed to learn to dress for success and to stop looking like a hot mess.

“Miss Parker,” her secretary buzzed in. “You have someone who has been holding for you on line two.”

“Put them through please.” Olivia leaned back in her leather chair.

“Olivia, this is Ann Gable. How are you?”

“Ann, what are you doing calling me?” She smiled.

“Remember at the last conference I told you to look me up, and I would support you. I knew you were too good for People’s Insurance and were on to something. Georgia was intimidated by you for some reason other than that man she left a long time ago. I was wondering if we could meet and discuss me becoming a partner. I have been dying to get away from this place for years but never had somewhere I wanted to be.” Her voice sounded genuine.

Olivia almost dropped the phone. Ann had money, deep-rooted money going back to her ancestors. What did she need Olivia for?

“I know you don’t know me well, but I have been watching your career for years. You should have been the assistant regional director a long time ago. I feel that, together, we can take your new company nationally and help other women make it in the good ole boy system. I have personally witnessed some of your employees first hand. Brandon would have had a heart attack if he knew the new employee he was gloating over had come from the company you own. She was highly trained and ready for the position from day one,” Ann gushed.

“Wow, I don’t know what to say. We can definitely get together, because I can use a great partner. Business is booming way more than I could have ever anticipated. An office in another city is way more than I could’ve envisioned this soon. Let’s set something for later in the week.”

“Great.”

“Good, now if you will excuse me, I have a lunch meeting.”

Olivia disconnected the call and smiled at the handsome man standing in her doorway. Richard was true to his word with them being in a relationship. He’d stood by and helped her through a rough time and watched her business come to fruition.

“I brought Japanese.” He held up the box of food.

“Hm, I had something a little spicier in mind,” she purred. “Please come in and shut the door. This is for your view
ing pleasure only.”

The End

*****

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