When Fran returned to the office, she didn’t have much to say other than letting Addison know she was a very lucky woman, and Fran wouldn’t be quitting anytime soon. Other than that, Fran kept the details of her conversation with Joanna to herself. It was kind of nice after all these years to see Addison finally squirm when she had made so many others do the same.

It was rare Addison took a backseat during a meeting, but more than once when facts and figures escaped her, Addison drew a breath of relief when Fran stepped in and took charge. She rattled off all the pertinent details as if they were written on her sleeve and by the time Ravi Nahas left the Kane Holdings building at five o’clock, while the deal wasn’t set in stone, the etching had begun...and the carver had been Fran.

Addison looked out the window and drew a ragged breath. The meeting had run longer than expected and it was nearly half six, and Addison had a decision to make. Should she tell David to drive faster or to turn around?

***

Joanna sat alone in the dining room sipping her glass of Chardonnay and hoping the alcohol would calm her nerves. It hadn’t. She had crossed and uncrossed her legs a dozen times, all the while counting the exits from the room. Should she make her escape to the kitchen, the foyer, or through the pair of doors behind her? Leading into the formal living room, she assumed they hadn’t been opened for years, but with one good shove, she could make her way out. She was sure of it. Unfortunately, her decision was put on hold when she heard the pocket doors from the entrance hall slide open.

The last thing Addison wanted to do was eat. A swarm of butterflies had made a nest in her belly, and she felt like she was ready to throw up, but calling on every ounce of courage she owned she walked into the dining room and took her seat. Her fortitude remained strong until she lifted her eyes and saw Joanna looking back at her.

“Um...sorry I’m late,” Addison said, picking up her linen napkin. “I had a meeting. It...it overran.”

“No worries,” Joanna said softly. “I was half-expecting you not to be here.”

Before Addison could reply, the kitchen door swung open. Sally shuffled in with their first course, and Addison inwardly groaned when oysters Rockefeller was placed in front of her. The last thing she needed was an aphrodisiac.