Flash Flood Read Online Free Page A

way I can.” As he spoke, the owner of Flash Communications projected the same confidence that Ryan had seen over the past few days. “I’d like to end this meeting with a personal request. Let’s show Neon Interchange why and how Flash Communications has been successful here in Radisen, and let’s work together to give our customers the expanded services they’ve been asking for. Thank you.” When Fred stepped aside, the employees stood and began working their way toward the door.
    Now was the time for Ryan and Alina to talk about her involvement in the days ahead and Deidre’s role. He’d rather face the rest of the employees in a dark alley.

three
    Friday, 11:00 a.m
.
    Alina smiled at her friends and waited until they left the boardroom before making eye contact with Ryan. She trembled and proceeded to put each chair around the rectangular table in place. Talking to Ryan was harder than she’d ever imagined. The relationship they’d shared ended abruptly—harshly. And she’d been the one to break it off.
    His gaze captured hers, and he smiled, but she couldn’t return the pleasantry. Not yet. She’d gather the strength in a few minutes and hope Ryan couldn’t see how his presence affected her. The memory of his pale blue eyes had haunted her for years, and the sight of his wheat-colored hair reminded her of how she used to tease him about the color being bottle-blond. In reality, he’d descended from Scandinavia. Both of his parents were fair….
Don’t go there
.
    Ryan hadn’t changed much, except in the way he chose his words. She recognized the keen intellect, and she saw something else, too—a warmth and peace not there in years gone by. Everything about him emanated political correctness; he was the epitome of an executive. He still possessed the same compassion and caring in the way he related to people—even more so. She had always appreciated those special qualities about him, despite the action she’d taken.
    “Alina, are you ready to talk now?” Ryan asked.
    That same question echoed from the past when she’d refused to discuss why she’d broken off their engagement. “Yes, I’m ready. Where did you have in mind … to discuss things?”
    “Use this room,” Fred said. “I have things to do.” He turned to Ryan. “I appreciate your treatment of the situation.”
    She rolled Fred’s words around in her head. Did “treatment of the situation” mean she’d lost the fight for her job before it began?
    “No problem. I’ll head your way once Alina and I are finished,” Ryan said.
    Fred sent Alina a sincere smile, and she did her best to silently convey reassurance that she would not sabotage Flash Communications. The door closed, seeming more like a final assessment of Fred’s company than an opportunity to discuss the future with Ryan.
    I’m such a cynic. Ryan has forgotten about me by now. Our past has nothing to do with my work here
. She glanced at his left hand to see if he wore a ring. Nothing. She didn’t know whether to be relieved or not. In the next thought, she realized his unmarried status was not a good thing.
    “Shall we sit down?” Ryan asked. “I have a list of things to go over, and I want to take whatever time we need for each one before I talk to Fred and Deidre.”
    Alina pulled out a chair she’d just replaced. Opening her notebook to a new page, she finally made eye contact. For a moment, she saw a hint of sadness in his eyes; then it vanished. In its place was the look of a man who had nothing more than business on his mind. She dug her fingernails into her palm.
    He opened his laptop and powered it up. “I want to keep track of our discussion, then e-mail it to you later. That way we’re on the same page.”
    Her thoughts scrambled back to when her insides felt like jelly at the sound of his voice, much the way she felt now, but for a different reason.
    “I’m curious as to why you’ll be sharing office space with me,” she said.
    “I’m told