Last Stand

By Amie Archer

Isa Montgomery finds herself confused and in an uncharacteristic funk when her best friend and business partner discovers the man of her dreams. There was no reason for this jealousy, Isa liked her fun without attachments. There were way too many good times to be had, why would she settle down with just one guy? If only she could remember that whenever Robert Barrett was around. Isa had no clue why her heart tried to leap out of her chest whenever he looked at her with those amazing gold-flecked blue eyes. Now she was caught in her own cat and mouse game. Would Robert give her what she wanted? Did she even know what she really wanted?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amie Archer
• Release date: Dec 4, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310489891

Amie Archer

Amie is a mom and wife, but mostly she’s an adventurer. With a great imagination and a skill for research her writing puts every idea, experience and question into a unique reading experience.

Book preview

Last Stand

Amie Archer

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 Amie Archer

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

Publisher’s Note

This book is a work of fiction. All persons, locations and events are used fictitiously.

Chapter One

She should just close the shop. The words in the email melded in a flow of incomprehensible non-sense. It was in English, but her brain had checked out an hour ago and she couldn’t understand two words put together, let alone an email from the self-important Anderson Wright. As one of their more high-maintenance clients, she needed to address his issues with her full faculties. Two in the afternoon on New Year’s Eve was not the time to do that. Isa closed the email and opened Google.

Technically, if she wasn’t working she had no obligation to be there. Desert Bloom Interior Design was her company. Shared with her best friend, Rebecca Barrett, they’d opened the doors six months ago, ready to take the world by storm. Business had started out slow as they built their clientele and proved themselves beyond the work they’d done at other firms. But, things were finally falling into place. Opportunities didn’t exactly fall in their laps, but the bills were paid and that was huge.

Typing a name into the search engine, she sighed over the pictures of Jason Warrick. The hospitality mogul had swept Rebecca off her feet and now the two of them were on a romantic weekend in the mountains. And Isa was stuck watching the minutes tick by with the motivation of an African lion. The male ones, the females actually got things done. She yawned. Could this day go any slower?

The front door to the small office chimed. Isa cringed. Located in a strip mall, anyone could have just walked in. Crap. She hoped they weren’t here to sell her something.

Isa! I know you’re here.

Ducking her head out of her private office, Isa watched as Cynthia Barrett fluttered down the hall. Immaculate hair and a perfectly tailored pant suit were paired with treacherous-looking heels. Everything about Cynthia was put together. Isa smiled at her favorite gold-digger. I was just about to close up. You should have called first.

Cynthia dismissed her with a wave. I was in the area. I have something to show you. I found the perfect art piece for the spa you are working on.

Isa frowned, as an art dealer Cynthia had a free ticket into the world of the financially privileged. But few of Desert Bloom’s clients could afford the prices. The budget for that project is pretty small. They are just starting out.

Clapping her hands as she brushed through the door, Cynthia made for the computer. But that is the beauty of it. Vinci’s is going out of business and they are liquidating. I can get the piece at a smashing price and I know it will be just perfect for them!

Isa looked down at the screen where Cynthia had brought up an image of a stone fountain. Angels with trumpets cavorted with birds as water cascaded into a shallow pool. It was perfect. But the price was not. That is too much.

Cynthia wrote a number on a post-it note. I can get it for that.

That price was doable. It would max out the budget, but having a piece like that in the lobby would go perfectly with what the client wished. They’d be ecstatic. If you can get me that price, then yes.

With a smile that could polish a diamond, Cynthia closed the web browser and logged off the computer.

Oh don’t log off. I have a few more things to do.

No you don’t, you were closing up. And, it’s New Year’s Eve. You are going out tonight right?

Isa fidgeted, turning the slim silver band on her right hand. I hadn’t planned on it.

Shocked, Cynthia snorted. You of all people?

Not happy with where the conversation was leading, she grabbed her coat and started to walk to the door. For the first time in her adult life she did not have a date for New Year’s. Not even a prospect. Dating dry spells were a novelty and she still hadn’t figured out how she felt about it. Her last fling ended three months ago in the usual way. Uncomplicated sex and relationships with limited lifespans were her modus operandi. And that had been just fine with her.

Now it wasn’t. And she didn’t have a clue what to do about it.

Cynthia followed as she shut down the office, closing the blinds and turning out the lights. Perhaps she would catch a movie or watch the ball drop on television. She’d never seen that before. Midnight on New Year’s usually meant lip-lock with her most recent catch. Or even a random one. Her stomach twisted. What was wrong with her now?

Come out with me tonight, Cynthia said.

Thanks for the offer, but I really–

Rebecca was supposed to go, but now she’s out gallivanting with Warrick. A current of envy flowed in Cynthia’s words and Isa felt a slight twinge of sympathy for the woman. Rebecca had accomplished what Cynthia had been trying to do for years–nail down a stinking rich and insatiably sexy man. Isa, on the other hand, could care less if the men she dated were rich. She had every intention of living comfortably based off her own professional merit. The only requirement she had in a mate was that he stir her desires–and be breathing.

She sighed and held the door open for Isa to exit. When had she become so jaded about herself? Was self-loathing a common symptom when one reached their thirties? The cool air swept across her face, tangling her long blonde hair in the keys. Pulling the strands from the clutch of metal took her attention from her internal musing and she didn’t notice that Cynthia had leaned against the glass walls to stare at her. She said, You didn’t hear a word I just said, did you?

Isa looked up. What? I’m sorry. No. I’m just exhausted.

Well, get over it. You need to come with me tonight. There will be a handful of potential clients at this party for you. Trust me these are the kinds of people you need to hobnob with if you want to start making a profit.

Isa grimaced. It was even worse than she thought; it was a high society New Year’s Party. There was no way. She locked the door and started toward the parking lot. I appreciate it, but I really need to rest. And I just don’t feel up to socializing tonight.

When they reached her car, Cynthia grabbed her arm. Please. I really want to help you and Rebecca make a go of this business. And I know for a fact that you will make excellent connections tonight.

Damn, the woman was persistent. They did need the connections and if she could walk away with even one name tonight, they would start the year off with a real bang. They might even be able to afford a receptionist. She smiled wistfully at the Desert Bloom store front. An actual employee, now that would be something. Fine. I’ll go.

Fabulous! I’ll pick you up at eight. Oh, and mom is throwing the Barrett family New Year’s Day party. Football and food. I was told you had to come. With Rebecca gone, you are the only suitable replacement.

"What? No. I just promised to spend all night with you. I’m not going to go to