Page 6 of Deacon

“Yes. Jerry thinks he is keeping it under wraps, but you know him.”

“That idiot cannot keep a secret to save his life.” David agreed with a snort. “He should have allowed you to run the place, given you free rein, and this would not be happening. You think they are going to change staff?”

She shrugged, an easy feeling settling over her. “In a merger or a takeover as this will be, there are bound to be changes.”

“I am pretty sure you will be staying. You are brilliant and an asset.”

“Thanks.” She smiled at him and captured his hand before he could move it. “Think about the surrogacy thing.”

“Yeah.” He glanced at the army watch on his wrist. “I am running late. We are interviewing a suspect in the mass shooting at the downtown mall.”

“I hope you fry his ass.”

He grinned at her. “You are hanging out with me and the boys too often.”

“I quite agree. Call me later.”

“I will.”

“Thanks for breakfast.”

“You need some groceries.” He told her as he rose.

“It’s on my to-do list.” She watched him stride from the room, his long legs eating up the space. Putting down the tray, she swung her legs off the bed and headed for the bathroom.

*****

"We want to hear about your trip, but first, I need a martini." Angeline signaled for the bartender, who materialized immediately, an admiring smile on his dark face.

"What are you gals having?"

"As it is still early in the afternoon, I am having a glass of wine," Delores said, selecting from the list.

"Champagne for me," Sara told him, looking at her friends with raised eyebrows. "What? I happen to be celebrating."

They waited until the man had drifted away before resuming the conversation. "I broke it off with Thomas." Angeline reached for her glass of water and took a few delicate sips. "You were right, honey; I hate when you are."

She added feelingly as she stared at Delores. "I feel like a damn fool. Here I am going to bat for this asshole, and all the time, he was poking his secretary. How cliched can he be?"

"I am sorry, honey," Delores said sympathetically. "But he was not good enough for you."

"I loved the bastard or thought I did."

"What did he say?"

Angeline waited until their drinks were placed before them to respond to Sara's inquiry.

"He told me he had tried to be monogamous, but it was not working. To top it off, he said it's not him, it's me." She concluded bitterly, taking a sip of her martini.

"The bastard." Delores shook her head in disgust.

"I have decided to become celibate like you." She pointed her glass at Delores. The three friends made a striking and beautiful contrast that had the men in the exclusive sports bar giving them longing glances.

With her chocolate brown skin, shaved head, and willowy body, Angeline had been a model for over a decade and on the front pages of several popular magazines. Sara, with her thick coffee-brown hair and dark blue eyes, was an up-and-coming executive for an advertising firm.

The three girls had been friends since high school, even though they had attended the same college. Their friendship had stood the test of time, and all three had gone through a lot to get to where they are now.

"I would not exactly say I am." Delores retorted, giving her friend a concerned look. "Are you sure you are okay?"