Getting It Right! by Rhonda Nelson

Author:Rhonda Nelson
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2005-01-21T05:00:00+00:00

7

724 Rue Dumaine. Now.

NOW, BEN THOUGHT, chuckling as he read the text message. Where did she get off with now? He’d at least given her an hour, the power-hungry witch.

He hit reply—a simple 10-4, then strolled out of the office. Or tried to.

“Where are you going?” Claudette demanded. “Have you taken a look at the initial designs for your Web site? Written any of the copy? Updated your bio?”

Ben paused, casting her a look that implied she worked for him, not the other way around. “Out, yes, no and no.”

“Out,” his secretary repeated, her brows arched. “Out where?”

Okay, Ben thought. There was definitely something up. Where was all this…this lip coming from? What the hell had happened to good old Claudette? “I’m meeting a friend.” He frowned. “Is something wrong with you? Are you well?”

“I’m in perfect health. Why?”

“You seem different.” He didn’t know how old Claudette was, but he supposed she could be going through the change. He’d heard about other women going off the deep end when that happened.

She drew herself up behind her desk. “You mean because I’ve decided to quit biting my tongue and speaking my mind? Because I expect you to value me as a woman and as your secretary?”

“What?” Ben scoffed, flabbergasted. “I’ve always valued you, Claudette. Your Christmas bonus ought to tell you that.”

“Money’s easy, Ben,” she sniffed. “From now on, I’m demanding respect.”

Undoubtedly had he not clamped it shut, his jaw would have dropped. “Respect? You think I don’t respect you?”

She shifted uncomfortably, but finally lifted her chin. “Most of the time, yes, but this is the new me, and since you’re the man I spend the most time around, you’re bearing the brunt of my antidoormat training.”

Antidoormat training? What the fu—

“My last three relationships have failed,” she said, her voice throbbing with something akin to hurt. “You wouldn’t know this because you’ve never been interested in my personal life. So long as I answer the phone and keep your office running like a well-oiled machine, you’re happy. But you haven’t noticed that I’m not. That’s going to change, and it’s beginning here. I’m a good worker. I deserve your respect.”

At a complete loss, Ben set his hands at his waist and shook his head. Naturally he valued and respected Claudette. She was a crackerjack office manager. Her skill freed him up to do more in-the-field work and he truly appreciated that. Evidently, he hadn’t done a bang-up job of letting her know it. Ben swore silently.

“Well, Claudette,” he said with what he hoped was an appropriately contrite voice, “I am truly sorry that you have felt undervalued here.” He cited her many attributes. “For what it’s worth, I promise to make a concerted effort to be more—” he cleared his throat “—respectful.”

She nodded primly. “Thank you. I would appreciate it.” That settled, she promptly picked up the previous inquisition. “So you have looked at the initial design?”

“I have,” Ben said. “Very impressive.”

“I thought so, too, which is why I’ve been hounding you to get the copy to her.

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