Dear Reader,
Ive been living a double life. Oh sure, on the surface, I might seem low-key. The people whove seen my officeand werent too traumatized to speak afterwardwould say I lean more toward chaos theory than perfectionism. But they just dont know the sleep Ive lost agonizing over the best way to phrase a single sentence. Or about that one Thanksgiving when, admittedly, I became a tad uptight in my attempts to mash the perfect potatoes. Hey, there is such a thing as smoothing out too many lumps.
Ive learned the hard way that theres a fine line between trying your best and trying too hard. But Jocelyn McBride, my alter-ego heroine, was raised to be a perfectionist and is convinced that she can solve all her problems by giving one hundred and ten percenteven when Josss newest problem is her ex-lover Hugh Brannon. When Joss and Hugh are made co-workers through an unexpected business merger, her well-choreographed life spins out of control like a drunken dance troupe. But through it all, she and Hugh learn that the secret to life and love, as with mashed potatoes, is balance.
If you enjoy Josss story, please check out my Web site at www.tanyamichaels.com for excerpts of upcoming books, reader giveaways and other fun information.
Happy Reading!
Tanya
Joss, I dont want anything to drink. I want
Theres no good way to end that sentence, Hugh, she said softly. Except possibly the Cowboys to get to the Super Bowl this year. But then, Id probably be offended that youre thinking about football right now.
Trust me, Im not.
Trust him? Easier said than done.
Ive missed you, he told her.
We work together, Joss reminded him.
That didnt stop us before.
As arguments went, it wasnt his most convincing. Yes, and didnt that turn out swimmingly?
Hugh wisely dropped the issue, choosing to return his dishes to the kitchen, then hovered in the hallway. I guess I should go?
As opposed to stay and have delicious sex? Id see you out, but
You need to stay off that ankle.
True. But what shed really been thinking was that her knees might still be too weak from his kisses for her to stand.
Not Quite as Advertised
Tanya Michaels
www.millsandboon.co.uk
MILLS & BOON
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
RITA® Award-nominated author Tanya Michaels has been reading books all her life, and romances have always been her favorite. She is thrilled to be writing for Harlequinand even more thrilled that the stories she makes up now qualify as work and exempt her from doing the dishes after dinner. The 2001 Maggie Award winner lives in Georgia with her two wonderful children and a loving husband whose displays of support include reminding her to quit writing and eat something. Thankfully, between her husbands thoughtfulness and that stash of chocolate she keeps at her desk, Tanya can continue writing her books in no danger of wasting away.
For more information on Tanya, her upcoming releases and periodic giveaways, please visit her Web site at www.tanyamichaels.com.
Books by Tanya Michaels
HARLEQUIN FLIPSIDE
6WHO NEEDS DECAF?
HARLEQUIN DUETS
96THE MAID OF DISHONOR
HARLEQUIN TEMPTATION
968HERS FOR THE WEEKEND
986SHEER DECADENCE
With heartfelt thanks to that loopy group of women whove given me unfailing friendship and support, advice on everything from babies to food to grammar, and more laughs than classic SNL and Python combined. Bless you guys for always being there.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
1
JOCELYN MCBRIDE was in hell. Who knew it would look so much like an airport?
In lieu of the more obvious horns and tail, the smug little man at the gate check-in counter was sporting an orange-and-purple vest with the East West Air logo, but, judging by the barely suppressed glee in his expression, he would enjoy the eternal torment of others. Oh, Im so sorry, maam, but the plane has left the gate. Perhaps you were unaware of our companys policy encouraging passengers to check in at least an hour in advance?
My flight out of Detroit was delayed, Joss explained breathlessly, still winded from sprinting through OHare.
After a dismal breakfast meeting that morning, when shed been told her agency was not getting the account, then being grounded for an hour because of mechanical difficulties, shed finally arrived here in Chicago. Shed jogged up to the departure gate just in time to see her planes backside as it turned on the tarmac. That had been the topperbeing mooned by a 717.
Eyebrows raised, the man with the receding hairline and conspicuously absent name badge consulted his computer screen. This was a connection? Im not showing any EWA
It was with a different airline. Joss enjoyed her job with Visions Media, a much smaller advertising agency than the last company shed worked for, but the much smaller expense budget left something to be desired. Convenient travel plans, for instance.
Oh, I see. He smirked. You chose to go with one of our competitors. How unfortunate they proved unreliable.
Client-oriented herself, Joss had marveled in the past over the occasional rude waitress, condescending bank teller or postal worker who seemed on the verge of going, well, postal. Today, she should have expected it. The EWA agent was just par for the course here at purgatorys country club.
I realize the planes taxied away from the gate, but it hasnt actually left the ground, right? Hoping to win him over while there was still time, Joss attempted a bright smile. The result felt muddled, like the face-lift her moms friend Lacey had had. Is there any chance we could call it back?
Oh, sure. We make it a point to inconvenience hundreds of passengers to accommodate the one who couldnt be here at final boarding call. His sarcasm sent her newly risen hopes plummeting like the stock market on Black Thursday.
Fighting the urge to abandon her own people skills and grab Mr. Helpful by his ugly polyester ascot, she reminded herself that any hint of violence would send airport security swarming.
Then again, a flying body tackle by a well-muscled guy would be the most action shed seen since her breakup last month with David. And lets face it, David wasnt anything to write home about. No man had been, not since
The gate agent heaved an impatient sigh. Theres another flight in a couple of hours. Do you want me to book you on it, or not? According to the schedule, I shouldve been on my break three and a half minutes ago.
And she should be en route to Dallas! The ADster awards gala was tonight, and her More Than Common Scents campaign for a local aromatherapist had been nominated.
Yes. She spoke through involuntarily clenched teeth. Please get me on the very next plane.
Joss had been in the ADster running last year, too, but had placed a frustrating second behind then coworker Hugh Brannon, whod been nominated for a separate campaign. At the time, shed been working for the ultraprestigious Mitman Marketing Solutionsand had only recently ended her affair with charming, competitive, sexy-as-sin Hugh. He was an incredible lover, but somehow his stealing a salon account out from under her had quelled her warmer feelings for the man.
Losing a promotion to him prior to the awards had been harsh; taking home a silver certificate in light of his gold trophy had been rock bottom. But, as any good geologist knew, you could get a lot lower than rockthere were whole layers of iron and crust and molten core. Joss probably shouldnt have been so surprised when, a week later, her mother had called to ask if Joss was watching the news. Mitman Marketing had been charged with fraud. So much for prestige.
Now Joss was with Visions Media Group and back on top of her game, more than ready to face Hugh tonight. One of his print campaigns with the full-service agency Kimmerman and Kimmerman was up against her aromatherapy ads. Her employer was overjoyed just to have a nomination, but Joss wanted to win. She hadnt been raised to appreciate second place.
Behind the counter, Mr. Helpful stabbed a few computer keys with his index finger. Then he stole a pointed glance at his watchclearly her cue to genuflect with gratitude for his postponing his break to do her the favor of a seat assignment.
Next time, she was flying the friendly skies.
He handed over the new boarding pass in its orange-and-purple paper jacket. I suggest you come to the gate early so that we dont have to do this again.
Deciding a mumbled thanks was the wisest, if not the most satisfying response, she walked away. As she headed for the lounge on the other side of the corridor, she dug her cell phone out of her purse and hit the preprogrammed button for the office.
Visions Media Group. The male voice that answered didnt belong to receptionist Cherie Adams.
This is JossNick?
Yeah. Like numerous advertising groups these days, Visions was small, made up of fewer than a dozen people. But they werent so tiny that the graphic design/IT guy usually played secretary.
Wheres Cherie?
She had a dental emergency, he said. Where are you? Over Indiana?
No. She sat on a padded vinyl stool in the passenger bar and darted a malevolent glance over her shoulder toward the now abandoned gate counter. I missed my connection out of OHare.
Missed your connection? Joss, the awards are tonight!
You dont say. Nick was a good guy, though, so she spared him her cranky sarcasm.
Im on a flight at five, she said. My cars at DFW, and if traffics not too bad, I should be able to just make it. Im going to call Emily now. If she can drop off my dress and shoes, can you meet me in the lobby tonight?
SureHowd it go with Neely-Richards?
The presentation seemed to go well, but then Neely told me over breakfast that they went in another direction. The industry lingo for thanks, but not a chance stuck uncomfortably in her throat. They voted last night to name a firm in New York their exclusive agency of record.
To handle promotion of stores theyre opening out West? Too bad they didnt come to this brilliant decision before we ate the expense of the trip.
It happens. She attempted to sound philosophical. Winners did not cultivate bad attitudes. Dont worry about it. I have two meetings next week I feel really good about.
Right. Sorry things arent going better now, though.
So was she. Her boss, Wyatt Allen, had been a bit preoccupied lately, almost tense, and if he was worried about business, this contract would have really helped.
See you in a few hours, then, Nick said. It would really stink if you didnt get to accept your aromatherapy trophy in person.
She groaned. Theres a reason we hired you to do visual and not copy. Her friends sense of humor was a lot like the common coldthere was no known cure, and you just had to suffer through it. She liked his optimism, though.
Her second call was to her best friend, business-communications professor Emily Gruber. Hey, Em. Its me. You have a minute before class?
You mean the sixty seconds Im using to magically finish all the grading I put off? Emilys sigh was rueful. I know, I knowIm worse than the students. But these mock cover letters and résumés make me fear for the future of the country.
Joss laughed. Its barely October. You have the rest of the semester to whip your students into shape. Well, not so much whip, as gently nudge. Emilys classes always had high numbers because she was known for being something of a soft touch. I wont keep you, but can I ask a quick favor?
At least you ask, her friend said cheerfully. Simon just lets me know what I can do for him.
Joss bit back her first instinctive reply. Much as she loved Emily, Joss had never really warmed to Ems boyfriendDr. Simon Lowe, Ph.D. and SOB. The pompous man took Emily for granted. But, since Joss herself was calling to impose, perhaps now wasnt the optimal time to lecture her friend on telling people no.