The Principal's Office Read Online Free Page A

“I want to make a toast,” she said above the din. “Here’s to how well you handled Denton Marbury.”
    Even in the bar’s dim lighting, Bree’s blush was obvious. “Thanks.”
    Marbury was their outside accountant, a CPA, who did the taxes and other governmental filings. He and Bree had had a little run-in. Even Rachel had heard
that
blowout, with Marbury doing all the blowing, right out of his—
Oops, language.
    “And you actually called him instead of sending an email telling him his services were no longer needed.” Rachel marveled. She knew it took a lot of courage, especially since it meant Bree would have to handle the IRS audit coming up in a couple of weeks.
    Bree dipped her head, studying the tabletop. “Don’t you think I should have done it face-to-face?”
    Rachel snorted. “
Drive
over there? What a waste of time. No, a phone call is as face-to-face as you needed to be.”
    Bree nodded, looking up again. “It was important for me to
say
it. And not let him steamroll over me.”
    “Well, then, you should be really proud of yourself.” Rachel knew all about not sticking up for yourself, wishing you’d handled it differently, et cetera, et cetera.
    Finally meeting her gaze, Bree nodded. “I am.”
    “Good,” Rachel said. “Anyway, I know you’re going to be taking on more stuff, so anything you need to off-load on me, I’d be happy to do it.” It was win-win; Bree got help, and Rachel got clerical accounting experience she could use to beef up her resume.
    “I’ll find some more for you, don’t worry.” Bree tucked her hair behind her ear, her face still slightly flushed from Rachel’s praise.
    “How’s everything going with your mom? She doing okay?” Rachel’s parents were both living. They were back in the Midwest, so she didn’t get to see them often, but she didn’t want to even imagine losing one of them.
    “My mom’s stoic. She’ll be fine.”
    That being Bree’s stock line, it wasn’t the first time Rachel had heard it. “And you? Are you okay?”
    Bree smiled then. It wasn’t self-deprecating. It wasn’t even sad. “I’m actually pretty good, too. I…” She stopped, looked at her hands a moment. “I’m better than when I started crying in front of you. A lot better.”
    That had happened two months ago, when her father started going downhill fast. Bree hadn’t told anyone else at DKG, but she’d confided in Rachel. “I’m glad to hear that.” Rachel touched her hand briefly, afraid to hold on too long. Bree was skittish. “I’ve been worried about you.”
    “You’re a good friend, Rachel.”
    Not really. Rachel had a feeling that Bree didn’t have friends, just work associates. So why had she invited Rachel out? “I get the feeling you want to talk about something.”
    Again, Bree smiled, then shook her head. “I just thought it would be nice to…” She shrugged and raised an eyebrow. “I don’t go out a lot…with friends. Maybe it’s time I started.”
    Wow
. Rachel was honored Bree had chosen her, but she was sort of at a loss as to what to say to keep the conversation going. “I met a man.”
Oops
. Rachel almost covered her mouth. She hadn’t meant to talk about that with anyone. “But I’m not sure I should date him. I mean, I’ve been divorced less than six months.” Can anyone say motormouth? But then she realized she wanted to talk about it. Bree wouldn’t gossip. “The boys wouldn’t be happy at all with me dating.”
    Bree munched thoughtfully on a tortilla chip. Rachel had gotten a small assortment of things from the buffet, but Bree just had the chips. Rachel was eating the rest; after all, it was her dinner.
    “Does their dad date?”
    Rachel tipped her head. It hadn’t occurred to her to even think about it. During the last few years, Gary hadn’t had much of a libido. He’d said it was work. He was an accounting manager for a division of some huge conglomerate, and he’d hated his job. He claimed he didn’t