Page 89 of The Reluctant Roommate

“I did, yes. I was curious to see how you’d spin it. I appreciate that you related it without trying to hide the facts.” She stood. “I should circulate. Try and insert myself into some of thesecliques and conversations.” She fished in her purse and held out a business card. “I’d very much like to talk more with you, Morgan. I’ll be hiring soon. Would you consider meeting me for coffee in the next few days?”

“I’d like that very much.” Morgan took the card and pulled out one of her own—the plain business card with her qualifications and contact details that Heidi had suggested she have printed—and handed it to Sally.

Sally took it, studied it, then slipped it in her bag. “You’ll be hearing from me.” She turned and walked in the direction of the bar, toward where a group Morgan knew to be senior partners of their respective firms were talking.

Wow.Morgan suppressed a smile. That had gone even better than she’d hoped. Sally seemed direct and fair—and, best of all, willing to consider Morgan. She couldn’t wait to get home and tell Heidi all about the meeting. But it wouldn’t look good if she left now. Sally would be watching to see how she’d interact with people who had shunned her.

Morgan set back her shoulders and headed for a group of people she’d often chat with at these events.Be confident. Be bold. Act as if you have every right to be here—because you have.

Between Heidi’s suggestions and the chat with Sally, the evening had taken a massive turn for the better.

Chapter 40

The Best of Plans

Heidi tried to concentrate on the TV, but her ears were more attuned to listening for Morgan coming home. She was already later than she’d said; hopefully that meant the meeting had gone well, and not that Morgan was drowning her sorrows in a bar somewhere, afraid to come home and admit she’d failed.

The scrape of the key in the back door sent Heidi rocketing to her feet, but she forced herself to wander into the kitchen. “Hi.” She greeted Morgan with a kiss on the mouth. A welcome-home-I-missed-you kiss rather than a come-to-bed kiss.

“Hi.” Morgan returned the kiss with enthusiasm, all but sweeping Heidi up in her arms, holding her tightly. Her hair spilled over Heidi’s shoulder, and she tasted of wine and suppressed excitement.

Heidi melted into the kiss as tingles of arousal spiraled down her body.

When they eased apart, Heidi took her hand and led her over to the couch. “I want to hear all about it.”

“Only if I can have a glass of that wine.” Morgan pointed to Heidi’s glass.

Heidi returned with the wine and some of Morgan’s favorite dark chocolate and set them down on the low table by the couch.

Morgan pulled her down to tuck her into her side. She picked up Heidi’s hand and walked her fingers over the palm.

Heidi shuddered. The slow tickle of fingers brought back memories of those same deliberate fingers on other parts of her body. “So, talk.”

“I was so nervous.” Morgan took a mouthful of wine. “Walking into a room full of people who were likely to ignore me or silently judge me was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. You told me to look for Manuela, but she wasn’t there. I talked to Jerry, who I was sort of friendly with, and it went from there.”

“So, no awkward questions?”

Morgan shrugged. “A couple of pointed ones, but I did as you suggested: smile, deflect, change the subject.”

“It sounds like a good evening.”

“It was. But I haven’t told you the best part yet.”

Heidi listened as Morgan related her chat with Sally Acuna.

“She’s astute. Knows more than she lets on, I think,” Morgan said. “She already knew I’d been fired from Mattingley and wanted to see how I handled talking about it. I hope my honesty will pay off. No spin. Just facts. She gave me her card and suggested we meet for coffee in a couple of days. If she opens an office in Cherry Creek that would be so easy to get to from here.”

“It would be.” Heidi trailed a hand around the waistband of Morgan’s skirt. “It’s all coming together for you—as you deserve.” She kissed Morgan, and her mind spun away to the big bed upstairs.

Morgan kissed her back, her hand sliding up Heidi’s leg to cup between her thighs. “I know how I’d like to celebrate—between your legs.”

Heidi’s clit pulsed, and she squeezed her legs together, trapping Morgan’s hand. “I think that can be arranged.”

Things were on the up for Morgan. Heidi heaved a breath. And the happy dust was also sprinkling her way, what with the acceptance from DU. Maybe a new job for her would also be on the cards.

But the one thing she wanted above all also seemed to be falling into place. Morgan was opening to her, to the idea of them together.

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