Read One Week (HaleStorm) for Free Online Page B

gazes met and something kind of clicked in the silence between them. Before Elise could think about it too hard, a knock sounded at the door.
    Craig George, HaleStorm’s sales manager, stuck his head in the door. “Oh, hey there, Michael.” He gave a fast nod to Elise. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I’ve got a presentation for CKE Global in a couple of hours. They want a discount on the bid that I can’t authorize without your go-ahead.”
    Michael held up his BlackBerry. “I sent you a reply. Told you to hold firm on twenty percent. We take a bigger cut than twenty, we’ll lose money on the project.”
    Craig made a pained face. “I’d really like to meet these guys halfway. As a customer, they could be great for referrals.”
    “No.” Michael shook his head. “I saw the specs when they put a call out for bids. It’s a risky project.”
    Elise could see from the look on his face that Mr. Sales-guy didn’t want to budge, and resisted the urge to open her mouth. This was so none of her business, and Michael clearly had the situation under control. Still, new sales wouldn’t matter if they couldn’t shore up HaleStorm’s shaky foundation. This guy needed a lesson in priorities.
    “They’re saying they’ve already got another contractor offering a lower bid. I need to walk in there ready to play ball.”
    Michael stood and braced his knuckles on the conference room table. “Let me take a look at your proposal.”
    Elise tried not to notice the way Michael’s forehead creased so deeply. The day—the week—had hardly begun and he already looked exhausted. A pang of jealousy came back to punch at her sympathy and she found herself wishing he’d been as concerned about her career five years ago as he was about all the people under him now.
    Craig stepped back, holding the door for Michael. “Thanks, man. ‘Preciate it.”
    Michael shook his head. To Elise, he said. “Hang tight. I’ll be right back.”
    “I’ll be here,” she said.

Chapter 5
    M ichael didn’t make it back to Elise until late Tuesday afternoon, striding into the conference room after being pulled away for the umpteenth time. He ignored the grateful smile Elise gave the tech guy who had come in to set up a printer. “Sorry,” he said with to her unnecessary volume. “Scheduling miscommunication this time.”
    While Steve from desktop support jumped a little at the sharpness in Michael’s tone, Elise only smiled slightly and refocused on her spreadsheet. “You’re an important man with important responsibilities,” she murmured. “Completely understandable.”
    Michael frowned as he sat. “Thank you.” I think.
    Steve seemed to hover nearby with indecision. “Is there anything else either of you need?” The young man looked from Michael to Elise, where his gaze lingered.
    For right or for wrong, Michael did not approve of the way the young tech support guy seemed to inhale Elise with his eyes. “Steve, there’s an excess of crumpled paper by the printer in the developers’ area which usually means a jam. Check that out if you would, please.”
    “Absolutely, Mr. Hale.” The young man nearly backed over a chair in his escape for the door.
    “Thank you for your help, Steve,” Elise added. She brushed her shiny red hair from her shoulder and flashed the kid a blinding smile. “You’ve been just awesome.”
    Oh, Jesus, you’d think she stripped down to her underwear and handed the kid a suitcase full of money the way his baby-face lit up. “No sweat, Elise.” With that, the young man bounded out of the room like an excited bunny who’d gotten his paws on the world’s juiciest carrot.
    Michael got up to close the door behind him, leaning his back against the cool wood surface. “‘You’ve been just awesome’? Are you serious?”
    She leaned over and poked the eraser of her pencil against his arm. “The way you stormed in here barking and blustering, I figured I oughta throw the poor guy a bone. Didn’t your