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  “Dillian will succeed.”

  “No, Alice will be the successor.”

  “Jamie must you always contradict me?”

  “Always, you see Alex, every time we argue, your eyes sparkle.”

  “Sparkle huh?”

  “Yep, it helps me read your mind.”

  “I doubt that.”

  * * *

  Chapter Twelve: The Plot's Sweet Rewards

  “So this is how the story ends Alex? You’re actually going to dump everything, the company and Jamie?”

  “Yep, end of story Charley.”

  “I don’t believe you. You wouldn’t really dump everything… some I might say… were doozies. You really did kidnap Jamie?”

  “I see she told you everything.”

  “The girls tell me everything… ok, all most everything. So, did you?”

  “How much longer till we reach port?”

  “You change subjects just like Jamie… you know your making the worst mistake of your life.”

  “Hmm.”

  “Alex I know Jamie isn’t the easiest person to know… and maybe you both have some differences.”

  “I see the port Charley, you better set things up.”

  “You’re good together Alex. I’ve never seen Jamie more excited about anything. She might not admit it, but she really likes you.”

  “Turn the wheel right a little.”

  “Don’t you see? She wouldn’t have tried this hard to help you keep your job… she would have just blown you off. Hmm? Right, tie the rope to the post Dillian!”

  “I’ll need to collect my things.”

  “You’ll regret it Alex… yes you will… you’ll remember this day as something you lost, all over something as paper. Money isn’t happiness Alex.”

  “Bye Charley. It was nice knowing you.”

  “Alex, you’re throwing the best fish back in the ocean… if nothing else, end this farce for me… for Jamie.”

  “Bye Charley.”

  “Ya, till we meet again. So long buddy.”

  * * *

  “I’ll call you later today Alice.”

  “You’re going back to the office Jamie?”

  “Only for a couple hours, I need to check some paper work and make a call.”

  “I guess Alex didn’t want to say good bye.”

  “He made his choice.”

  “Hi, ladies! It looks like it’s the end of our extravaganza.”

  “Dillian behave.”

  “I’m behaving Alice; I’m on my best behavior.”

  “Dillian and I formed a truce of sorts.”

  “Good for you two. Dillian, you’ll come by later to the office?”

  “In about two hours. I need to a take a nap and freshen up for my girl. I’m taking her out tonight.”

  “Don’t be late. I’m leaving the office in two hours.”

  “Don’t worry, everything’s in control. Alice you better hurry it up… I mean, ah… take as long as you like, I’ll be at the car. Bye Jamie.”

  “Bye. I really need to go Alice.”

  “You sure your ok Jamie?”

  “I’ll survive.”

  “Well… call me earlier if you want to or I’ll just cancel my date.”

  “Oh, no you don’t! Alice, you two have fun.”

  “Ok, as long as your fine.”

  “Fine as a cherry on a chocolate sundae.”

  * * *

  Twenty minutes till closing time Jamie.

  I’m almost done.

  I left a message for Mike an hour ago, and I still haven’t heard from him. Maybe I should try again; he needs to know the mess Alex left him.

  Why couldn’t Alex change his mind?

  It’s pointless Jamie, trying to understand the man. Once he sets his mind to something, he sticks to it. There’s no changing his mind.

  I tried, I really did.

  Stop it Jamie, don’t think about it, just get this paperwork filed and get out of here.

  So I can cry my eyes out for the swine.

  Dillian, where are you?

  I’m not staying here forever. Pretty soon I’ll be the last person in the office.

  Beep!

  That must be him.

  Finally.

  “Just a minute. Dillian what took you… you!”

  “Yep, me.”

  “Your not authorized to be in this building Mr. Harding.”

  “Are we back to that, again?”

  “Alex, I don’t have time for your games, I’m…”

  “Did you or did you not call Mike?”

  “I’m not answering that.”

  “Then it’s a good thing I called first.”

  “Called? Called who?”

  “Mike.”

  “You called Mike? Oh, I get it, to give your resignation. Just place it here in this bin and he’ll get back to you.”

  “Jamie, sweet Jamie, when will you zip your mouth shut?”

  “I don’t have to listen to this… Alex, either you place your resignation here and leave or I’m calling security.”

  “You should have dyed your hair red, it fits your temper.”

  “Alex, I mean it.”

  “I know. By the way, I’m not here to drop off my resignation.”

  “You’re not? If you think for one minute Alex, I’m going to type out your resignation, you can forget it.”

  “I’m not here to file paperwork.”

  “Ha! Says the wolf to red riding hood, you’re here to file paper work alright.”

  “No, I’m really not.”

  “I don’t believe you, you’re here to file something.”

  “Jamie, I can careless about paper work. As far as I’m concerned, I can rip it to shreds.”

  “Ha! All you cared about was your stupid job, your stupid combination, and your stupid contracts.”

  “And I’m telling you, Jamie, I don’t care about any contracts!”

  “Ha!”

  “Sorry I’m late Jamie. Traffic was terrible. These are the contracts. Hey!”

  Rip, rip, rip, rip… rip.

  “See, Jamie? I don’t care a wit about any contracts! Does this prove anything to you? I didn’t quit my job!”

  “You didn’t?”

  “Alex! You ripped my contracts!”

  “Shut up Dillian! Yes, I didn’t quit. Jamie, I called Mike and explained everything. He said he’ll review my salary and maybe give me a promotion.”

  “A promotion?”

  “You ripped my contracts in pieces… my poor precious contracts… I don’t even remember what Alice agreed upon. That means I’ll have to start all over again.”

  “I’m proud of you Alex.”

  “I thought you might be.”

  “You ripped my contracts Alex! I ought to give you a bloody nose.”

  “Sorry Dillian, not right now, I’m kissing my girl.”

  “Do you guys have any idea what I’ve been through to get these? Do you? Stop kissing and answer me!”

  “Later Dillian, later.”

  “You guys drive me crazy!”

  From the Author

  I hope you enjoyed this sequel as much as I have!

  Look for my next book coming up soon!

  I love to hear from my readers, write to me at:

  [email protected]

  Or visit my web site at:

  leeanncadwell.org