Read Christmas at Tiffany's for Free Online Page B

interference.
    Attraction. The word tumbled free, bounced deep in his chest. Attraction—to Tiffany. No. No dice. He scowled, determined to find center and move away from that line of thinking. He yanked his cellphone from the end table next to him, unlocking the device with sharp finger taps. A relationship with Tiffany wouldn’t work. It would end painfully, complicated by work goals, logistics and even their personalities. She was fantastic, but she was, most definitely, not for him.
    In immediate contradiction, he recalled the power of her smile. Large, open, authentic. She was so different from the shy, quiet image she projected. She enticed and sparkled with a vibration of warmth that put the dismal winter atmosphere of Manhattan to shame.
    Determined to focus on work, he finally ran down his latest batch of e-mails; his perusal came to a fast stop when he registered receipt of a note from company owner and CEO, Scott Wayne. The subject line read: Get Ready .
    Mitch,
    Congratulations on the success displayed across the Tri-State Region in the 3rd quarter. I’m reaching out to offer my personal support and appreciation along with the assurance that your efforts are noticed and the plans we put in place before you left California are ready to be executed.
    Your year of service to InfoTraxion’s efforts on the east coast is nearing an end, and I speak on behalf of the entire management team when I express gratitude not only for your attitude of teamwork and cooperation, but your flexibility in taking on this assignment as a growth opportunity within the firm. You’ve expanded the reach of our business, solidified our brand and provided our clients with exceptional outcomes.
    That understood, and realizing the holidays and a January deadline are fast approaching, the executive committee has unanimously agreed to move forward in the following ways: 1) We have established a portfolio of candidates from which we will choose a new East Coast Regional Director. 2) We intend to return you to California as scheduled in a newly established role, that of Executive Vice President, West Coast Operations.
    We intend for your enthusiasm and career to expand in the years ahead and feel confident this plan will accomplish those objectives with mutual benefit.
    Best regards and continue the great work. ~ Scott
    Mitch stretched his legs; every other thought promptly vanished. The promotion, and more importantly, a return to Los Angeles, was coming soon. Hallelujah. He unbuttoned his shirt collar and tie as he considered what might come next in his life. The promises from corporate were beyond expectation. The advance was a hoped for blessing, precisely what he wanted most. It would be enough. He’d be satisfied.
    So why did he feel so itchy?
    Logging out of e-mail, Mitch stared into the leaping flames in the fireplace. Thoughts of Tiffany materialized almost instantly. Her sense of innocent wonder skimmed through his mind just as surely as orange light burst into yellow, then swept into red. Still holding his phone, he jiggled the device absently. Why did her presence linger? He was about to set it aside and reach for the Times when a vibration tingled against his hand, and the home screen lit with the name Wendy Pace.
    Mitch tapped on the accept button. “Hey there.”
    “Hey yourself, handsome. I hear you're getting buried by snow.”
    Just a few words, in that smoke and honey voice, and Mitch could picture her perfectly. Poised and charming, flawlessly styled in whatever wardrobe essentials were deemed trendy, Wendy epitomized the word elegance. She worked as the head of a graphics design and marketing firm headquartered in downtown Los Angeles. They had met about a year ago at a business seminar after-glow. From there, personal and professional similarities led to dates…dates to a quasi-relationship they had opted to keep alive in spite of the miles apart. They were convenient and well suited.
    He honestly cared.
    But right