Emergency Ex Read Online Free Page A

of distracting her. Usually worked. Had last night.
    But now she shuddered at the recollection and at the old girlfriend popping up out of the blue. If only Brenda could go back in time and say no to the stupid idea when they first thought of it. After she’d “helped Keith out” that one and only time, they’d celebrated in the most intimate of ways—the first time they’d made love. She hated associating their first lovemaking with being Emergency Ex , but she couldn’t change that.
    Only rarely could they keep their hands off each other, and last night had been no exception. The sex had been glorious, as always. But he’d forgotten their anniversary and hadn’t said anything about her birthday or moving in together or getting engaged. He’d talked about an old girlfriend. Hmm.
    Was he getting cold feet? Why had the old girlfriend come out of the shadows of the past now? There was no such thing as coincidence . Despite knowing she shouldn’t, Brenda gave in to a stab of jealousy. Maybe Keith was gearing up to dump her. Maybe he planned to wait until after her birthday to give her the bad news—
    She pushed away the growing sense of unease. Being on the brink of turning thirty was affecting her more than she’d expected. But maybe she and Keith could talk about this tension when they met after work. If she still felt weird by the time she got together with him for dinner at Bistro Bacchanalia, one of her favorite restaurants—the one with the best view of the Golden Gate in addition to fabulous food—she’d stop dodging the bullet and insist they talk about…them. This on top of talking about her birthday.
    Meanwhile she had to clear her head of exes and jealousy and insecurity as she prepared for the day’s business. Brenda flung herself into a hot shower. Once toweled off, she imbibed a gallon or so of her darkest, strongest brew—necessary fuel for her upcoming, civilization-depends-on-it business meeting.
    After making sure Chelsey was set, Brenda took off. Eight a.m. meeting with Lars Hinkleschmidt, one of the cocoa bean purveyors who kept Lockheart Chocolate an industry leader. She’d caved on the meeting place—his office rather than hers or neutral territory. That was the only point she’d cave on.
    Lars, always the gentleman, at least on the surface, rose when his secretary escorted Brenda into his lair. She extended her hand in greeting, noting Lars’s firm grip. Nearing retirement age, the businessman evidently worked out. “Mona will be back right away with coffee and bagels.”
    Brenda, on the verge of sloshing when she moved from all the coffee already imbibed, sat in the indicated chair and gave a noncommittal shrug. “What’s this about raising your prices by fifty percent? Effective immediately?”
    Lars pursed his lips. “Right to the point, Brenda.”
    “Exactly. I’m busy and so are you. You don’t seriously expect—”
    He held up both hands. “Production costs have gone through the roof, what with the price of oil, weather conditions.”
    Same old, same old. Did he really think he’d get far dredging up familiar complaints? “Fifty percent increase for a loyal long-time customer?”
    His face remained impassive. “You should see what I’m charging my newer clients.”
    “Come on. We’ve both benefited healthily from our association,” Brenda pointed out. “I’m sure you want that to continue. I do too. As I said, I’m loyal, and that’s got to get me some benefits or I’ll have to start looking elsewhere. You’re not the only supplier around.”
    Just then Mona came in with a cart bearing a coffeemaker, a platter with enough bagels to feed ten and all the trimmings. Brenda willed her stomach not to rumble at the sight. Maybe she should have stopped for breakfast.
    Lars thanked Mona, who poured coffee for two before retreating. He helped himself to a bagel, spread cream cheese and, for a space of time, managed to avoid eye contact. Though she kept her guard up,