Andrea set the cup of coffee down hard enough some of the hot liquid splashed onto the desk. Yanking a tissue out of the box on top of the printer, she scowled and wiped up the spill. Damn her boss. One day before the big gala event at the Kimbell Art Museum, with a hundred and fifty guests due with open checkbooks, and he'd bailed. Why? To be with his latest flavor of the month, that's why. Although at the rate they rotated through his bed, she was more like the flavor of the week.
“You can handle it, Andrea. Everything will run smooth as clockwork.” She mimicked his obsequious tone, his I-know-you-can-handle-it-attitude pissing her off. “Who does he think I am, Houdini? I can't handle this alone.”
She tossed the damp tissue into the trash. The stack of RSVP's on her desk formed their own little mountain, though she knew most of them were affirmatives. Nobody turned down an invitation to a Mitchell International party. At least nobody who moved within the Metroplex's hoi polloi. All the movers and the shakers would be in attendance.
She flung herself into her chair and eased off one of her four-inch heels, wiggling her toes when the shoe dropped to the floor. Ah, blessed relief. If Mr. Mitchell wasn't showing up today, she'd damn well be comfortable while she worked. The royal blue pumps slid beneath the edge of her desk, close enough she could slide them back on but far enough to be out of sight if somebody came in.
“Morning, Andrea. We still on for lunch?” Andrea's head popped up at the voice, and she smiled. Her best friend, Tami, leaned her head around the doorway, a cheeky grin curving her lips. Short dark brown curls haloed her face with a wide blonde streak strategically placed for maximum effect right across the swoosh of bangs. She was cute in that girl-next-door way with a pert upturned nose and chocolate brown eyes. They'd known each other since coming to work at Mitchell International, having started the same week, though in different departments.
“Sorry, Tami, I'm going to have to bail. Mitchell's pulled another disappearing act and left me holding the bag for the party tomorrow night.”
“Holy crap! You've got to be kidding.” Tami glanced back over her shoulder before easing into Andrea's office and closing the door. “Which twinkie is it this month? Tiffanee, Sheree?”
Andrea rolled her eyes. “No, they are both so last month. It's Beverlee.”
“Beverlee? Oh, the tall blonde with the big fake ta-tas?”
Andrea chuckled. “Yep, that's the one.”
Tami laughed. “Seriously, anything I can help with?” She pointed to the stacks of mail and papers piled on Andrea's desk.
“Thanks, but I've got it covered. Everything is pretty much handled already. I need to make the final calls to the security manager, and the caterer, but otherwise, I think we're good. I'm just dreading finding somebody to schmooze with the clients, and beg for the money.”
“Well, these rich folks can afford it. I mean a thousand bucks a ticket, plus donations? I doubt I'll ever see that kind of disposable income in my lifetime.” Tami shrugged, but Andrea knew money was a tough issue with her best friend. She struggled from month to month, trying to make ends meet, supporting herself and her eight-year-old daughter on her salary. Her ex-husband flew the coop right after Tami got hired with Mitchell Industries and this job was her lifeline.
Inspiration struck Andrea. “Think you could get a sitter for tomorrow night? You can come and help me out with the whole shebang.”
“Really, Andrea? Oh, wow…wait, I can't. I don't have anything to wear to something that fancy.” Her face fell, but Andrea wasn't taking no for an answer.
“Yes you do, or you will. We'll pick up something after work today, company expense. You'll be officially working, so it's part of your uniform, so to speak.” The expression on Tami's face made the offer completely worthwhile. Plus it really would be helping her out too. These big corporate events tended to be total snooze-fests, and at least she'd have somebody to talk to if Tami was there.
“Let me call and see if the sitter can take her for the evening.” Tami hugged her, some of her infectious excitement spilled over. Maybe this party wouldn't be so bad after all.
“Go, get the sitter lined up, and we'll find you something fabulous to wear. Now I've got to get back to work or we'll be serving cocktail weenies and cheese cubes from Kroger's.”
With a bouncy step and a quick wave, Tami raced toward her own office and Andrea yanked forward the stack of RSVPs, doing a final check against her master list. Over eighty percent of those invited responded they were coming. Pretty good turnout, all things considered.
She managed to deal with one crisis after another, and the morning flew by. The rumbling in her stomach was the only indicator several hours had passed. With a glance at the clock, she noted it was way past lunch time. If she hurried, she had just enough time to run across the street and grab a sandwich and bring it back to her desk. Which she needed to do so she could take Tami shopping, and get her all togged out.
Purse in hand, she rode the elevator down to the ground floor and walked out into the sunshine. Early fall in North Texas was warm enough not to need long sleeves or a sweater, so her skirt and blouse were just fine. She'd left the jacket upstairs, hanging over the back of her chair.
There were several small restaurants situated across from the tall commercial building that housed Mitchell's offices. They took up most of the upper half of the building as their corporate headquarters, using North Texas as a hub for the international import and export portion of their portfolio. Mitchell had its fingers in many different financial pies. Keeping them all straight was part of her job description.
Knowing she should have a salad, the thought of nibbling on rabbit food when she needed all her energy sucked. To hell with it. She opted instead for a burger and fries. Yummy but not so good for my hips and thighs. What the hell, she'd burn it all off before the end of the day.
With her food in one hand, and her soda in the other, she headed back toward her office, happily contemplating Tami's makeover for the museum event. Her friend deserved a special treat, and Andrea planned to make sure it was a night she'd remember.
So focused on everything she needed to get done that afternoon, she didn't pay attention to where she was walking. When she glanced up, a black car was headed straight at her, and there was no place to run.