Choosing Happy (Madison Square #2) Read Online Free Page A

I wanted to feel that way again. I needed it, I craved it, and it was terrifying.
    Margot and I spent the better part of Sunday shopping for a new wardrobe to go with my new look. By the end of the day, both my credit cards and I were completely exhausted, but I was starting to think this whole fresh start thing was actually a possibility.
    Come Monday morning, I was ready to get back to work. So much had changed in the past few days, between the divorce papers and Margot’s whirlwind makeover, that I could use a little consistency.
    I followed Kelly’s instructions and styled my hair, surprised by how easy it was. I don’t know why I hadn’t cut it all off before. I dressed in the cream Gucci suit Margot picked out, paired with a pair of black stilettos and an amazing Michael Kors bag, an impulse purchase I made for myself. It made me feel incredible, like this handbag represented my freedom and the new me. It’s unbelievable what a new look, a fabulous bag, and a good suit can do for your self-esteem.
    More than ready to get my week started, I headed into the office a bit early. I had a huge presentation on Friday that I needed to prepare for, and the earlier I got started the better.
    As I rounded the corner, I saw my assistant, Jeremy, already seated at his desk, his long, delicate fingers typing away as he focused on the computer screen.
    Jeremy was a serious find. I hired him straight out of college. He had enormous potential. I was mentoring him to take over the world of corporate finance, but he was so much fun and such an amazing assistant that I would be sad to see him go when the time came.
    I was secretly jealous of him, or maybe not so secretly. His dark hair was cut close and tight to his head, and his flawless, milk chocolate skin and big brown eyes made him the very definition of tall, dark, and handsome.
    Jeremy knew who he was and made no excuses for it. He could be a bit over the top and a tad obnoxious at times, but he was good at his job and made my days run smoothly. Of course, like all of the great men in this town, he was also gay. Not that I would date someone that young, especially someone who worked for me.
    “Good morning, Jeremy,” I said.
    “Morning, boss lady,” he said without looking up from his task. I stopped at his desk and waited for him to look up, hoping to get his appraisal over and done with so I could get on with my day.
    Jeremy quickly finished what he was typing and finally looked up. His eyes went wide. “Oh my god! You look fabulous! Love the hair and the suit and the shoes.”
    He got to his feet and signaled for me to turn with a twirl of his index finger. I rolled my eyes and turned in a small circle. When I faced him again, he clapped his hands with a giddy laugh, and I couldn’t help but giggle.
    “Now that I am officially divorced, I figured it was time for a fresh start. It’s not too much, is it?” I touched the back of my head to smooth down my hair.
    “Are you kidding? You look amazing! You’ll be beating them off with a stick,” Jeremy said.
    I laughed and headed into my office. I set my bag down on my desk as Jeremy followed with a cup of coffee and a stack of messages.
    “I’m guessing this is Margot’s doing,” he said as he set my coffee down on my desk with the messages.
    “Yep.”
    “Well, I like it anyway,” he said with a grin.
    “It needed to be done. I’m happy with it, but my mother is going to lose it.”
    I leaned back in my chair and took a sip from my coffee, savoring the rich flavor rather than gulping it down like I usually did during my morning caffeine binge.
    Jeremy gave me a pointed look. “You know your mother scares the pants off me, but when are you going to get out from under her perfectly manicured thumb?”
    The man had a point, but I wasn’t about to acknowledge that. I quietly sipped my coffee until Jeremy huffed and got to his feet. He turned to head back to his desk, then paused in the doorway and turned his