The moment Jay Prescott opened the executive restroom door he
encountered a delicate wild rose fragrance. The men's room at Prescott and
Wilkes had on occasion smelled of his partner’s favorite green cigars or
expensive aftershave, but never roses. Jay stepped back, double-checking the
sign on the partially opened door. Written in white letters was the word “Men.”
He breathed in the
faint aroma which reminded him of a walk in a rose garden. Jay shook his head
and walked farther into the carpeted lounge.
Obviously, he still
suffered from jet lag if he allowed something this trivial to distract him.
After a grueling three-week schedule in New York, where he’d battled record
snowfall and frigid temperatures, Jay wasn’t sure which he’d looked forward to
more—returning to his regular schedule or to Oregon’s misty sunshine.
He looked around the
corner expecting to see someone by the row of sinks. At first, the restroom
appeared vacant; then the rustling sound of a paper bag caught his attention.
“Steve, is that you?”
Jay called out to his partner.
“I thought I locked
the door.”
The voice from the
last stall was muffled, but it was definitely a woman’s voice. He moved closer
and noticed the nylon-covered ankles, well-turned ankles, the best-looking
ankles he’d seen in some time. Mesmerized, he watched her kick off one black
pump. Before he could ask her why she was I the men’s room, he heard the sound
of a zipper. Jay froze. Proper etiquette would call for him to leave, but he
couldn’t tear his gaze off her wiggling toes as they celebrated their freedom.
“I’m sorry. No one was
in here and I thought I’d be finished before anyone noticed. I’ll be out in
just a minute.”
Jay tried to recognize
her voice, but she sounded as if she held something between her teeth. “Why are
you changing in the men’s room?”
“I went jogging this
morning.”
“That doesn’t explain
why you’re here.” Jay crossed his arms in front of his chest.
“Oh. The door to the
women’s was locked with two “Out of Order” signs on it, and I have a meeting in
less than ten minutes.”
Ten minutes. With a
glance at his watch, Jay swore under his breath—he also had a meeting.
Could the mysterious
woman be the one Steve Wilkes hired while Jay was in New York? His partner had
been evasive on the phone—something about a fresh new face and how she’d be
good for the company.
Unable to curtail his
curiosity any longer, Jay asked, “Are you the new personnel director?”
“Umm-hmm. I’ve only
been here two weeks, and already I’m giving a presentation—Steve insisted.”
What an unusual way to
meet an employee for the first time, behind a closed door in the men’s room no
less! Although he hadn’t interviewed her, Jay didn’t doubt her qualifications.
Steve had an uncanny feel for people. He had a reputation for hiring the right
person for the right job.
Apparently she didn’t
allow small obstacles to stand in her way, or she wouldn’t be changing in the
men’s room. Instead she found solutions to her problems—he liked that trait.
“I’m sure you’ll do fine.”
“Sorry to keep you
waiting.”
The stall door opened,
startling Jay. He stepped back so fast his feet started to slip out from under
him. To prevent himself from falling he jerked back hitting his head on the
wall. Tilting his head down, he rubbed the painful spot.
“That must hurt. Are
you all right?” She moved closer.
His gaze traveled up
the ankles he had secretly admired moments ago to her beige linen skirt and a
white silk blouse. Not even her loose fitting blouse could hide her trim
figure. Her hand fiddling with her pearl necklace drew his attention. She had a
good overall professional appearance—another plus for her. He watched her push
back the thick spectacles that started to slide halfway down her nose. Her gray
hair was stylishly short.
Gray hair? Heavy wrinkles
flanked her mouth and creased her forehead. Stunned, Jay simply stared at her.
He’d been admiring the legs of a woman who appeared to be as old as his
grandmother.
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