Chances Are Read Online Free

me."
    Debbie's expression was horrified. "What if I miss?"
    "You won't." Veronique held out her hands, catcher-style.
    The salesgirl shrugged. "All right."
    Veronique caught the magazine by the very edge of the first page. It was the latest issue of Pillow Talk, and staring back at her was a picture of a blond Adonis wearing skintight ski pants and a come-hither smile. She flipped it open to the centerfold. "Oh, my."
    "Let me see." Chip looked over her shoulder. "That can't be real."
    Veronique cocked her head and turned the magazine sideways. "I don't know. It looks authentic to me."
    Chip frowned and plucked the magazine from her hands. "This photo's been retouched. I'm sure of it."
    "Sour grapes, Chip?" she teased. When he muttered several choice words and handed the magazine back, Veronique laughed and looked over the side of the platform for her friend. She was across the aisle, in the Ralph Lauren shop. "Hey, Debbie... catch!" At the same moment she tossed the magazine, Debbie signaled frantically, then ducked behind a rack. Veronique understood too late her friend's bizarre behavior. The magazine landed, centerfold up, at Brandon Rhodes's feet.
    "Double damn," she muttered as he paused, then bent over and picked it up. For long moments he stared at the photograph before slowly lifting his eyes to her. Veronique took a deep breath. "I only buy them to read the articles," she called down.
    Brandon's lips twitched. "I'll bet."
    Veronique balanced on the balls of her feet and rested her elbows on her knees. "No, really. Mr. March didn't interest me a bit."
    Brandon rolled up the magazine and thoughtfully slapped it against his palm. "Why didn't you tell me you worked for me?"
    Veronique smiled and shrugged. "You never asked."
    "For an employee talking to her boss you're pretty—"
    "Impertinent," she supplied, liking the way his lips tipped up at the corners. "We all have to be good at something."
    Brandon worked to maintain a stern expression despite his desire to laugh. "You and my father must have gotten along great."
    "Mmm." Veronique tugged on the end of her braid. "We avoided each other. It worked out quite nicely."
    Brandon shook his head. She was crazier than he'd first thought. Weren't all artists supposed to be a little nuts? "I'd like to talk to you about the display department."
    She sat, then began swinging her legs over the edge of the platform. "Talk away."
    "I hardly think shouting up to you is appropriate." He tossed her the magazine; she caught it neatly. "Why don't you and Mr. March come up to my office when you're finished here?" Without another word, he turned and walked away.
    Veronique stood and placed her hands on her hips. "Well, goodbye to you, too."
    "Veronique, it would be nice to get those pins today."
    She tore her eyes from Brandon Rhodes's stiff back and squared shoulders to glance at Chip. "Yeah, sorry."
    "No problem." He stuffed red fabric into a large wicker basket. "Great stunt, by the way."
    "Right." Veronique jabbed one of the long pins into the fabric.
    "In fact, it should take you a long way to a promotion."
    "Smart aleck," Veronique muttered. "Besides, it could have been worse."
    "Oh, sure. The magazine could have landed in the perfumes, sent several of the most expensive crashing to the floor and stunk up the store for a week."
    "Eat navel lint and die, Carson." Their eyes met, and they laughed in unison.
    * * *
    The pungent odor of cigars hung in the air. Brandon frowned at the empty room. Hand still on the doorknob, he swung back around. "Maggie, who's been in my office this morning?"
    Startled, the receptionist's eyes met his. "Why, no one, Mr. Rhodes."
    "Impossible. My office reeks of cigars."
    The receptionist stood, obviously flustered. "Maybe it's just the leftovers—"
    "See for yourself." Brandon moved aside so she could step into the office. Although dissipating, there was a faint haze of smoke and a definite odor.
    "I don't understand. I was at my desk all morning. No one