Read Hudson for Free Online

for
very different reasons.  I still do but not with the same completeness,
the sense of exactly right , that I have with Micah and Max.” 
    She shrugged one shoulder delicately.  “The project taught
me about myself, what I wanted, and what I didn’t want.  Never settle, Brie. 
If something isn’t fitting just so…it may be the wrong puzzle piece – no matter
how badly you want it to fit.” 
    Tawny and her men, Zach and Quinn, arrived and Riya kissed
her cheek as she went to greet them. 
    Riya’s best friend was very much like her sister Izzy,
vibrant and beautiful.  It made her miss Izzy a little less and she felt as
though she’d found a group of kindred spirits. 
    Again, she was struck by the care both men took with the
slender redhead who wasted no time introducing herself and taking Gabriella’s
hands.  “I can see why Riya took to you.  We’re going to our club later if you
want to come.”
    Brie shook her head with a smile.  “I’m exhausted.  Truly. 
It’s been a day that ran the range of emotions and I need to crash.  It will be
a while before I feel up to being out again.  I need to recover from this
little bump in the road.”
    “I understand.  You’re keeping it together better than I
would.  I’d be destroying things.”  Her men nodded behind her and she stuck out
her tongue.  “We’ll let you off the hook so you can get some rest and get your
feet back under you.  Know that we will be dragging you out
eventually.” 
    She nodded, unable to hold back her laughter. 
    They sat at the formal dining table and conversation didn’t
lag.  They were all unique but blended beautifully.  Most of the time, Brie was
more interested in listening to them than adding to the conversation. 
    Nuances of personalities and backgrounds always fascinated
her.  She liked to know things, even if she couldn’t share them with anyone
else.  Her mother called her Nosy Nelly when she was a child and she owned the
trait, though she was better these days about hiding her nosiness.
    Zach and Quinn ran a chain of coffee houses that were giving
Starbucks a run for their money.  For a good half an hour, they discussed
market projections with the M’s and Brie was fascinated. 
    Her curiosity about the behind-the-scenes decision-making
spilled out and she started asking questions about the marketing aspects of
their business.  They answered with surprised looks on their faces. 
    Zach said, “You know, you could work in our corporate
offices.  You’re obviously very bright.  Did you take any college courses?” 
    With a smile, she nodded.  “I have a Masters in sales and
marketing from Washington State.  I’m interested because your individual businesses
are on a much larger scale than I’m used to.” 
    Everyone at the table went silent.
    Riya put her hand on Brie’s arm.  “Honey, why are you
taking a job as a maid?” 
    “The people in this building are the only people I know out
here.  I had so many hopes for what it was going to be like and I feel
off-balance.”  She sat back in her chair.  “I’ve worked hard all my life.  My
sister, too.  I’m not too good to clean until I get my confidence back.”
    Quinn said gently, “I’m sorry for what happened to you,
Brie.  I understand your reasons but if you change your mind, the offer
stands.  We could use a work ethic like yours.”  Zach agreed.
    Max added, “Micah and I both have sales and marketing
departments in our companies.  Should you want to stretch your legs, working
for any of our companies would guarantee that you still know some of your
co-workers.”
    “My mom and dad made us work our way up.  We started with
picking up trash and cleaning toilets at the companies where we interned.  We
spent enough time in each position to learn it well.  Then we were promoted or
moved to another department.  I like that method of learning.”
    She folded her arms on the table.  “This building has a lot
of