Second Chances

Life in the Fast Lane

The version of Maddy that hurried down the hall of the Pitman Strategies & Solutions agency scarcely resembled the young woman who created floral arrangements at the family flower shop three years ago. This was Madison Taylor 2.0 wearing a black power casual suit, and a low ponytail, looking the part of a young ad agency woman living the fast-paced Manhattan lifestyle.

Clutching her laptop, she trotted around the corner to a cubicle where she startled a young woman with an ultra-messy bun feverishly working on a web page design.

"Haley! Let's go."

"You scared the living—"

Maddy tapped her wrist.

Haley went wide-eyed when she checked the time. "Crap!"

They bolted toward the conference room and, to their horror, spotted their boss, the icy Kendall Pitman standing at the head of the table, arms crossed. Pitman, the agency's CEO, oozed success, sporting an extreme Karen haircut and dressed head-to-toe in expensive designer couture. Her heart-stopping scowl could crack granite.

"Armor up," Maddy whispered to Haley. "She can smell fear."

When they entered, Kendall's steely eyes followed them to their seats.

Leopold, a pale young man wearing a hipster beard and man bun sat beside Sophie, who kept her eyes glued to her laptop.

Haley's voice squeaked. "I was designing—"

Pitman snarled. "I don't give a damn if you were giving the Queen of England a pedicure."

Haley shrunk in her chair. 

Setting her laptop on the table, Maddy said, "I reviewed the Davenport proposal again and I noticed—"

The intercom buzzed. The receptionist, Desiree's voice announced, "The Davenport team is here, Ms. Pitman. Shall I send them back?"

Kendall straightened her jacket. "I'll come up to meet them." On her way out the door, she shot dagger eyes at Haley.

"Is your resume up to date?" Leopold goaded Haley. "You know, there are phone apps that could do your job."

"Oh, Leopold," she said. "You have such a big head for such a small mind."

Sophie whispered, "When's the last time The Pitbull went out front to meet a client?"

"Davenport is the biggest piece of business she's ever pitched," Maddy responded. "She hugely wants this one." Catching a glance through the glass wall, she whispered, "Here they come."

Everyone pretended to be busy.

Two men and a woman trailed Kendall into the room. All eyes went to a handsome man in a tailored suit. He was the kind of man accustomed to the attention of women and to other men distancing themselves from him to avoid comparison.

Kendall announced, "Representing Davenport Pharmaceuticals, I'd like to introduce Mr. James Coughlin, Vice President of Operations..."

Coughlin, a man with a receding hairline, which made his face look a little too big, nodded. She continued with her introduction. "Ms. Shira Parker...

The woman with the dangling earrings offered a tight, plastic smile reminiscent of a doll's face but not a sweet doll, a really scary doll.

"And Davenport's Global Sales Manager, Mister George Spiros."

His roguish smile spread slightly lopsided on his handsome face. "Nice to meet everybody," he said with a cool air of confidence.

Haley and Sophie stared in awe. This guy was super gorgeous and his eyes locked on Maddy.