Awful.
Sloan wants you to relax,
Amanda began, then laughed when Megan rolled her eyes.
But what does he know? Come on.
Ready to oblige, she pushed back from
the desk, skirted it.
You're practically next door.
She led the way down the
corridor to another thick, ornately carved door.
I think you've got just about
everything you'll need. But if we've missed something, let me know.
Some women felt that frisson of excitement and anticipation on entering a department store. For some, that sensory click might occur at the smell of fresh paint, or the glint of candlelight, or the fizz of champagne just opened.
For Megan, it was the sight of a well-ordered office that caused that quick shiver of pleasure.
And here was everything she could have wanted.
The desk was glorious, gleaming Queen Anne, with a spotless rose-toned blotter and ebony desk set already in place. A multilined phone and a streamlined computer sat waiting.
She nearly purred.
There were wooden filing cabinets still smelling of lemon oil, their brass handles shining in the sunlight that poured through the many-paned windows. The Oriental rug picked up the hues of rose and slate blue in the upholstered chairs and love seat.
There were shelves for her accounting books and ledgers, and a hunt table that held a coffee maker, fax and personal copier.
Old-world charm and modern technology blended into tasteful efficiency.
Mandy, it's perfect.
I'd hoped you'd like it.
Fussing, Amanda straightened the blotter, shifted the stapler.
I can't say I'm sorry to be handing
over
the books. It's more than a full-time
job. I've filed everything, invoices, expenses, credit-card receipts, accounts payable, et cetera, by department.
She opened a file drawer to demonstrate.
Megan's organized heart swelled at the sight of neatly color-coded file folders.
Alphabetized, categorized, cross-referenced.
Glorious.
Wonderful. Not a cigar box in sight.
Amanda hesitated, and then threw back her head and laughed.
You've seen Holt
and Nate's accounting system, I take it.
Amused, and comfortable with Amanda, Megan patted her briefcase.
I
have
their
accounting system.
Unable to resist, she sat in the high-backed swivel chair.
Now
this is more like it.
She took up a sharpened pencil, set it down again.
I don't know
how to thank you for letting me join the team.
Don't be silly. You're family. Besides, you may not be so grateful after a couple of weeks in chaos. I can't tell you how many interruptions Amanda broke off when
she heard her name bellowed. Her brow lifted.
See what I mean?
She swung to the