Her Chance At Love

“Okay. Duty calls. Handle your business, chica! We’ll catch up.”

“Thanks! Now I’m off to clean up this sleazebag’s—I mean, my client’s—mess.”

“Wow, is that how we address our most valuable clients these days? I wonder if the partners would take issue with that.”

Cadence’s head popped up at the sound of Kerry’s voice, which sounded more like fingernails on a chalkboard.

Cadence bit back what she really wanted to say. “Eavesdropping, are we?” Cadence replied and forced a smile.

“You need to let me at her one of these days,” Cadence heard Alana say as she held the phone to her ear.

Cadence smiled on the inside, remaining cordial and professional on the outside for Kerry’s benefit.

Despite the fact that Cadence was still obviously on the phone, Kerry sauntered the rest of the way into her office and planted herself on the edge of the desk. Silent moments passed as Cadence stared at Kerry, taken by her rudeness. Kerry tinkered with the picture frames on her desk.

Another beat passed. “Can I give you a call back?” she asked Alana politely.

“Getting the picture,” Alana obliged. “Handle your business, my friend. We can chat later.”

“How can I help you, Kerry?” Cadence asked.

Fingering figure eights along the desktop, Kerry took a moment to respond. “I see that your client has gone rogue.”

“I guess you can say that.” Cadence busied herself gathering the documents that she’d pulled together for her visit to Richard’s office. “But soon it will all be under control.” She stood, hoping Kerry would get the hint and leave her office.

“Perhaps I could help,” Kerry offered.

Cadence smiled, once again biting back the words she preferred to say. “I think I can handle this on my own.”

Kerry pouted. “Oh. That’s too bad. I figured you’d appreciate my assistance.” She slid down from Cadence’s desk. “I thought you were a team player,” she said as she sauntered toward the door. “It would be a shame if the partners got the impression that you weren’t.” Slowly, she turned away, tossing the words “Good luck” over her shoulder.

Standing rigid, Cadence felt her insides grow warm. She fought to keep her cool. Kerry was always able to get under her skin, but she refused to let it show. Closing her office door, Cadence took several deep breaths to rein in her temper. Then she reasoned with herself that Kerry was just trying to rattle her competition and, although she could probably acquire some dirt on her, she vowed to earn a clean win, allowing her merit and work ethic to garner the position she coveted. She wasn’t going to fall prey to Kerry’s ways. Then she remembered that Kerry had bragged about hanging out with Richard the night before, which made her wonder if she had anything to do with what happened at his office today. Shaking off the anxiety brought on by those thoughts, Cadence stuffed her documents into her bag and moseyed through the office with her head held high.

Meeting Alana and seeing Blake would have been a great way to cap such a disastrous day, but unfortunately, that would have to wait. Right now she had business to take care of and a position to fight for. This was another testament to the fact that she had no room in her life for dating anyway.

Chapter 5 (#ulink_e187bfde-4b26-5eac-8b9c-ea5d1f2250dc)

Blake had successfully proved that he was a jack-of-all-trades as he helped get things set up for the mentoring organization’s annual career fair. The organizers seemed technically inept and after several attempts to hook the computers up to the university’s Wi-Fi system, he jumped in and saved the day.

Blake and a few other NYAA members had volunteered their Saturday to help young high school and college students with their résumés. Now that the laptops were set up and most of the folks who’d signed up to help out had arrived, it was almost time to tackle the long line of students waiting to get their résumés evaluated and typed.

From the looks of things, they weren’t going to be leaving anytime soon. He had to call on some members to bring in additional recruits. Alana had promised that she would rally a few extra hands on her own. The fruit of her labor was yet to be seen as Blake anxiously awaited her arrival, hoping she’d bring at least five more volunteers with her.

What he really wanted to know, but didn’t dare ask Alana during their phone conversation, was if her friend Cadence would be coming along. He still hadn’t had a chance to work his charm on her but couldn’t seem to get her off his mind. Despite the fact that this volunteer effort would offer him little time to focus on wooing Cadence, he was determined to make some kind of move. He refused to let her get away again without at least getting her number.

“Blake!” Sandy Grove, one of the other volunteers, yelled. “This thing is not printing.”

Blake trotted over to the station where they had set up several printers. “Let me see,” he said, checking all the connections. “Everything looks good over here, Sandy. Did you make sure that you selected the right printer?”

“What?”

Blake shook his head at the sheepish grin she flashed at him. “You have to go into the control panel and add the one you want. Did you do that?”

“No! I figured after all of that tinkering you did, it would just happen.” She snickered.

Blake chuckled. “Scoot over,” he said, gently shoving her to the side.” Blake tapped on the keys for a few seconds. The copier clicked and the document came sliding out. “There you go.”

“Blake, you’re cute and smart!” Sandy giggled.

“Gee. Thanks, Sandy,” Blake said sarcastically and shook his head at her.

“Now, don’t get a big ego,” she said, nudging him on the arm.

“Blake!” someone else called from across the room. He dropped his head.

“You’re being summoned again.” Sandy sang and laughed once more.

“Coming.” Blake jogged in the direction of the call. This time, the organizer needed him to help another vendor set up.

When Blake was done, he looked across the room, hoping the backup volunteers had arrived. The fair would be opening in minutes and the lines were now snaking around the corner, as he was told. The vendor thanked him and he shot back across the university’s gymnasium to the other side.

Alana had arrived, and as she’d said, she had seriously rallied the troops. She had at least ten more volunteers with her.

“Alana!” Blake leaned in and wrapped her in a grateful hug.

“Did I do well?” she asked, presenting the folks she brought along with a sweeping gesture.

“You did very well.” Blake was especially appreciative of the fact that she’d brought Cadence along. Blake waved a general greeting to the group but kept his eye on Cadence, flashing his most brilliant smile. “Welcome and thanks, everyone. Just give me a moment and we will get you all set up as fast as we can. Did you all bring laptops?” The crowd collectively affirmed by nodding their heads. Some lifted their laptops in the air. “Great.” Blake clapped his hands together, but before he could show them where they needed to be, he heard his name being called again through the PA system.

The frenzy had heightened. With minutes left, representatives from recruitment companies, other businesses and vendors lined the perimeter of the gymnasium, scurrying to prepare their tables for the throngs of students outside of the double doors.

Blake helped yet another vendor gain access to the university’s Wi-Fi, showed the organizer how to do it for the umpteenth time and headed back to make sure his group was ready to go.

While he was gone, Alana had taken charge finalizing the setup. She had the custodians pull out a few more tables. A total of five six-foot-long tables were lined up in two rows with three volunteers set up at each table. She had also set up table signs that said, Résumé Services Sponsored by the NYAA.

“Let’s do a test run to make sure all of you are connected to the printer correctly.” Alana stood addressing their group as if she were conducting a symphony.

“Thanks, Alana!” Blake pulled her into another friendly hug.

“You know I’ve got your back. Everybody printing okay?” Alana asked.

“I’m getting an error message.” Cadence said.

Before Alana could respond, Blake had run to her side. “Let me help you out.” Once again, with a few clicks, he had her all set up and her test page was sliding out of one of the printers set up behind them.

Blake trotted over to retrieve the printed page and brought it back to her. “There you go,” he said, making a point to graze her hand as he handed it to her. The slight touch sent heat surging through him. He seized her with his eyes and allowed his gaze to linger. Cadence turned away first, but not before Blake made his point. He could tell by the slow way she dipped her eyes that he’d affected her, too.

As Blake walked away, he couldn’t help the quick groan that escaped his throat. He had to remind himself to remain focused, though it would be hard, since he still smelled the sweet scent of her perfume, which now permeated his nostrils. He wished he could capture the way it mixed with her scent and recall it at his will.