Page 87 of Moonshine and Magnolias
She reached for it, but Sebastien yanked it away at the last moment and blatantly read the return address. “Who’s Lana Vargas?”
Jordan flashed her hand out to snag the envelope. “No one.”
Sebastien snatched it out of reach before she could grab it. Twice.
Jordan stood up. “She was a guest at Pearl and Jennifer’s wedding and we started chatting during the reception. She invited me to a benefit in two weeks, and I need that to get in.” Even in bare feet, she was almost as tall as Sebastien. She held out her hand. “Now give it here before the Ginger Ninja meets the pissed-off brunette.”
Sebastien handed it over.
“In two weeks?” The words registered in Wendy’s tired brain. “Jordan, are you staying? You’re not going back to Connecticut?”
Her friend exchanged a look with Brandi. “Maybe.”
“What about your job?”
“My job hasn’t been all it’s cracked up to be lately.” She waved her hand. “I don’t want to get into that now. Too complicated.”
“But there is something about her job we wanted to talk to you about.” Brandi abandoned her post and sat on the ottoman next to Wendy’s feet. “She can help us.”
Why did this sound like a setup? Wendy snuck a glance at Sebastien, who was pretending not to listen by sorting through the rest of the mail. “Help us...?”
“Since I got here in June, I’ve been watching the two of you work. It’s an occupational hazard,” Jordan said. “Like every employee in every business, you each have your strengths and weaknesses.”
“After you left, doing the things you did so seamlessly just about made me three gallons of crazy,” Brandi said. “If it weren’t for our friends, I would have folded in two days.”
“I’m sorry.” Wendy cleared her throat. She had taken Brandi to task for her selfishness, and then did the same thing. “I didn’t mean to abandon you like that.”
“I know, honey. It wasn’t about me. But this job here.” She gestured around the room. “It’s no fun without you. With Jordan’s help, we can make it work.”
“We divided the tasks between your strengths, figured out how to deal with weaknesses. Hire someone to take the jobs neither one of you want, if necessary. Like how he-who-will-not-be-named helped with the tour and other small errands. This talent management is what I do, Wendy. Let me help you guys.”
“I know you have your life in Atlanta and with Steward Hotels. Just say you’ll think about it,” Brandi said.
She could do that. “I’ll think about it.”
“Good.” Brandi nodded. “Okay. Good.”
Sebastien held up a plain manila envelope. The smooth but efficient lettering of Wendy’s name sent a thrill of both pleasure and fear through her body. She looked down at her papers, hoping no one noticed.
“No return address,” Sebastien said. “Do you want me to have Massimo take a look at it?” He raised his eyebrows at Wendy.
“Because I’m a target for so many people. No thanks.”
Sebastien tossed it over. Did she really want to cut her aorta open again and read what Rob had to say? Better she concentrate on Pansy Hamilton and what had to be done before tomorrow. She tucked the letter next to her and went back to sorting bills. And noticed Sebastien, Brandi, and Jordan all staring. Waiting. “What?”
“Aren’t you going to open that?” Brandi asked.
“Maybe. None of your business, anyway.”
“If you don’t, I will.” Sebastien’s lips were set in a scowl.
No way was anyone taking the envelope from her. “Hey, you’re a prince, not a knight in shining armor,” she said. “I don’t need to be rescued.”
“Prove it,” Jordan said.
Well, if they were going to gang up on her... “Fine. I’ll open it. But not with an audience. I’ll do it after I finish my work.”
She ignored her friends and opened the other envelopes. Eventually Sebastienand Jordan went back to whatever they were doing, but Brandi sat on the ottoman with her script on her lap, watching Wendy’s every move with disquiet concern. Wendy studiously ignored her, but it was difficult with that stare.
