“She also apparently forgot to tell you that my father has suffered three strokes, one of which damaged his memory,” Joanna said, glaring at the woman who was wearing an annoyingly haughty expression. “If I had told him about this, he would have forbidden me to do it because he would know that I was doing it for him. With his health, the last thing he needs to be is upset, and since he easily forgets things, we would have had the same conversation and the same argument, day after day after day. If you want to call what I’m doing lying, then so be it, but I will not have my father put through any unnecessary stress, and you sure as hell better remember that!” Well aware by Addison Kane’s steely stare that she had the woman’s undivided attention, Joanna added, “Now, the way I see it, you don’t want to be here. Fine, I get that, but continuing to make that crystal clear to me by your boorish behavior is wasting time, and unless I’m mistaken, that’s something your money can’t buy.”

“But apparently it can buy you,” Addison growled back. “You know. They have names for women like you.”

“Addison, that’s enough,” Fran said.

“She started it,” Addison said, pointing to Joanna.

Snickering, Joanna shook her head. “What are you, twelve? Just because you’re the famous Addison Kane—”

“That’s right. I am,” Addison said, leaning forward in her chair. “And you sure as hell better remember that!”

“Enough!” Fran said, raising her hands in the air. “Addison, Joanna’s right. We don’t have time for this. Now, I suggest that we all just take a breath, calm down, and let me tell Joanna what we’ve decided to offer her. Okay?”

Addison rested back in her seat, pausing as she stroked her chin. “Fine. The sooner we get this done, the sooner I can get out of here and take a shower. This place makes me feel dirty.”

Inwardly groaning, Fran quickly looked in Joanna’s direction, fully expecting to see the woman gearing up for the next battle. Surprised that Joanna appeared calm and under control, Fran let out the breath she’d been holding and opened her attaché. Putting some folders off to the side, she opened her portfolio, but before she could say a word, Addison took center stage again.

“This isn’t really my blend,” Addison said, pushing her coffee cup toward Joanna. “I don’t suppose you have any scotch in the house, do you?”

Joanna had a decision to make. Should she be a proper hostess or let the pompous woman do without? She looked over at Millie, and seeing the amusement twinkling in the woman’s eyes, Joanna turned her attention back to Addison Kane. “No, I don’t. Sorry.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Addison said, retrieving her cup.

Chapter Six