Page 87 of The Reluctant Roommate

“Don’t give her ideas!” The sound of the front door opening and closing. Morgan was back. “I have to go. Morgan’s home.”

“Go tell your girlfriend the good news.” Fiona blew a kiss. “Miss you, Heidi. Love you.”

“Love you too.” Heidi blew a kiss back. “Talk soon.”

She ended the call and ran downstairs to share her news with Morgan.

Chapter 39

Showtime

Morgan took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, pinned a professional smile on her face, and strode through the doors of Front Range Hotel downtown. The monthly meeting for Denver financial planners had always been a fixture on her calendar. Time to network, catch up with colleagues, and update each other on movements within the industry. But since her firing, she hadn’t been able to bring herself to attend. Hadn’t wanted the pitying glances, and couldn’t face the outright snubs she was sure would come her way.

But now, bolstered by Heidi’s cheerleading and her success in getting a place at DU, she’d reached the “fuck ’em” attitude. She was still registered; she was still a financial member of the association. Now was the time to show her face, show she wasn’t cowed. That one mistake need not end a career.

She tugged her suit jacket into place, glanced down to ensure her pantyhose was unmarked, and smoothed the slim skirt over her hips. Heidi had told her she looked professional and smart, and Morgan had practiced a calm, nonreactive face in the mirror. The hard questions would surely come her way, but she was ready for them.

The meeting took place in a private room off the bar in one of Denver’s most upmarket hotels. When she’d worked at Mattingley, she’d often caught up with colleagues for dinner before the meeting. This time, with no one to dine with, she’d arrived twenty minutes before the meeting started. Time to have a glass of wine and gauge her reception. Time enough to chatto anyone friendly. Not too long that she would be standing by herself against the wall as her colleagues snubbed her.

The first people she saw were two of her ex-colleagues from Mattingley. Her stride hitched, but she forced herself to continue to the bar, standing a discreet distance away, giving them a nod and a smile before focusing on the bartender to order a glass of pinot noir.

The two men moved closer. “Good to see you, Morgan,” Lazlo said. His teeth flashed in his tan face. “You’ve been missed around the office. Where are you working now?”

She’d rehearsed this option. “I took some much-needed time off—some travel, caught up with family—and now that I’m back on the job market, I’m considering a couple of offers.”

Lazlo’s face froze for a moment before he offered a slight smile. “Good for you. None of us get enough time off in this industry. What offers are you considering?”

“I’m sure you understand that I can’t discuss them.” She took a sip of wine and regarded him for a moment over the rim of the glass.

“Of course,” he said after a beat.

“How are things at Mattingley?”

“Busy.” He launched into an account of the long hours and extra accounts he’d taken on before he finished with, “I don’t know if you heard, but Javid, who took over your accounts, has left. We’re recruiting, but in the meantime, your old portfolio is being divided between the senior advisors.”

“I saw the position advertised, of course.” She smiled. “That’s a lot of extra work for you all.”

“We can handle it.” Lazlo pushed a hand through his thick, dark hair and drained his wine. He signaled the bartender for another.

“I’m glad,” Morgan said. She turned and nodded in the direction of the other side of the room. “If you’ll excuse me…”

She walked away, losing herself in the knot of people. Thank heavens for Heidi’s roleplay on how to handle ex-colleagues. She examined her feelings about the encounter. She’d expected to feel possessive about her accounts, especially the clients she’d nurtured over the years, but there was nothing. She simply didn’t care. When it came down to it, clients moved on, and as long as their wealth was building, they barely noticed who handled their accounts. And the extra work and stress Lazlo seemed to be under? She certainly didn’t miss that.

She noticed Jerry Grogan standing beside one of the tables with the hors d’oeuvres. He was shoveling them into his mouth as if he hadn’t eaten all day—and he probably hadn’t. She went across. “Hi, Jerry. How are things with you?”

“Morgan!” He did a double take. “You’re looking well.”

“Yes, the time I took for myself before jumping back into the fray was a good idea. I’m glad I didn’t follow up on your lead with Murray Price.”

Jerry beckoned her closer and leaned in so no one could hear. “Rumor has it he’s already fallen foul of the attorney general and the Division of Securities. You did well to avoid that trap.” He straightened. “Are you working now?”

She repeated her line about weighing up a couple of offers.

“Good for you.” He glanced to either side. “Have you heard of Sally Acuna? She’s moved here from California. Sold her firm there for a fortune, and the noncompete clause meant she had to move out of state to start a new agency. She targets women investors and employs mostly female staff. Word is, she’s looking for premises around Denver. She’s apparently fantastic to work for—prioritizes family and work-life balance.” He scowled. “Not like most of the dollar chasers around here. That’s her at the table by the wall. She’s low-key, isn’t announcing herself, but you might want to have a chat.”

Morgan looked over to where a curvy Latina with salt-and-pepper hair was watching the room with a slight smile on her face. No one was talking to her; indeed, a couple of suits held a loud conversation immediately to one side of her without acknowledging her in any way.

She looked back at Jerry. “Thanks. I’ll go and have a chat with her.”