So many beads...so little time.

Author Unknown.

Chapter Thirty-Five.

Staying up late thinking about Bo, and beading, makes for a difficult Monday morning. Especially since I dropped off bracelets to Dee before work.

I rest my head on the desk. I have to pull it together for my conference call with the managers and big wigs of Gucci.

"Do you have everything you need?" Beatrice fills my cup. "Can you make a move to let me know you are okay?"

I wave a few fingers in the air without lifting my head up to acknowledge her existence.

"You have your conference call in five minutes. I'll buzz you when it's time."

I wave again without lifting my wrist and keeping my body still.

She puts the mail on the edge of my desk.

I straighten myself up and push the button when it buzzes.

"Hallie from Cincinnati boutique." I bring my chipper voice up from the bottom of my stomach. Thank God the conference calls aren't Skyped. I'm in no shape to be seen.

Beatrice takes a seat with her pad out ready to take notes.

"Hallie!" I would know Piper's voice from anywhere.

The sound of her voice sends spin numbing shivers up my back.

"Good morning, Piper." I might look tired, but my voice doesn't reflect it.

"You know, we should v-log about your boutique opening." The excitement in her voice escalates. "Everyone is raving about what a fabulous job you have done."

V-log? "What in the hell is a v-log?" I put my finger over the microphone and whisper to Beatrice. She scribbles, video log.

Of course, v-log. Doesn't everyone know what a v-log is? "Are you kidding me?" I throw my pen in the air and mouth to a smiling Beatrice.

"I appreciate your interest, Piper, but I don't have time to video tape all of my actions or the actions of employees."

Of course I don't have time. Any time I have, I want to bead.

"I understand that, but it will be helpful for the future of the company to be able to go into each project strong right from the beginning."

I'm flabbergasted by her comment. Flattery will get her nowhere. Beatrice writes something down and holds it up. Frenemy.

"What?" I ask.

She reaches over and put the phone on mute. "She's your frenemy. She pretends to be your friend, but she's really your enemy."

I sit back in my chair and ponder this frenemy thing.

"You know, the old saying: Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer." Beatrice reminds me.

I haven't seen Beatrice in battle and I like it. I was worried about how thick her skin is, and what'll happen when I leave in five weeks.

Five weeks left. Just thinking about the five weeks, gives me the boost of energy I need to finish this call.

"Thank you for the vote of confidence, Piper, but since it's your idea..." I pause to get the words out correctly. I know my Michigan Avenue store sales are down, and it's my time to stick it to her, "I think you should v-log about your store and all the good things you are doing since I've been gone."

I'm amused at her stammer, "I, I..."

"I left you with an established store. Not only established with awesome associates and faithful customers, but also during the busiest season." I have no problem reminding her about the shape the store was in before she gave me the boot.

Michigan Avenue boutique always brings in big numbers during the summer time.

"Good morning, ladies." The mysterious voice, who I refer to Charlie, as in Charlie's Angels, booms through the phone. "First, I want to ask Hallie how the weekend photo shot went with Fit Pregnancy Magazine."

It's just another jab at Piper, and a feather in my cap, as I talk about how gorgeous the day was and how the background made the clothes pop.

"How on earth are we going to replace you in less than five weeks?" Charlie asks.

"Sir, if I may introduce my assistant Beatrice."

He interrupts. "Yes, I have heard about her."

We look at each other inquisitively. Who in the hell told him about Beatrice?

"The girls told me about her. I understand she's been fielding your phone calls." I completely forgot about the time I was late and Beatrice came up with the wonderful idea about Fox 19 doing a story on the boutique.

"Yes, sir, and she's doing a fantastic job." I confirm.

I believe Beatrice is a true Gucci manager and loves the G's as much as me.

"As a matter of fact, Beatrice is the one who knows the good people of Fox news and set up the interview. She comes in early and stays late. She even suggested a few of the outfits that made it into the magazine shoot." There is silence which allows me to continue. "She is the fastest learning associate I've ever worked with. She has the potential, with the right grooming, to make it to the top."

"Grooming?" Beatrice mouths in a pissy sort of way. She mutters under her breath, "I'm not a dog."

"It sounds like you've put Gucci above your needs and thought about the future when you leave." Charlie is pleased. "Very good, Hallie. Everyone please join me in applause for how well Hallie has made a success out of our boutique there in Cincinnati."

"Five weeks left?" Piper is curious.

Why? Is she planning something? I don't trust her.

"Yes. And I'm going to miss Cincinnati, but I'm ready to come home to my associates." I want her to know she's still treading in my territory, even if Bo isn't in the picture.

"Maybe you should take a staycation when you get back." She suggested.

Beatrice scribbles, Vacation when you stay home.

I don't understand all this combining-word stuff. What happened to Webster's Dictionary straightforward words? Vacation, no matter where you are. Frenemy? Just say enemy. V-log? Just say videotape.

"I don't think you should worry about me." I'm tired of her trying to one-up me. "I'm not planning on staying in Cincinnati."

"I'm sad to announce that Hallie has declined the regional manager position we offered her." The voice comes through loud and clear.

"I was just saying we've all heard how hard you are working and maybe when you get back you should take in your city." I don't like the way she emphasizes your. "You can take a few days to relax."

Charlie chimes in. "Piper." He is trying to interrupt her as she babbles on. "Piper!" The phone goes silent. "Gucci would like to thank you for your contribution, but you're no longer a regional, as Hallie is. Remember, she's your boss now."

Yeah! Take that! I want to yell into the phone, but refrain and let Charlie take care of me.

My spirits lift. Beatrice's eyebrows arches up in a V and she's tiptoeing around the room in a happy dance.

"Sir, I'm empathizing with her. I've been there. I know what it's like to put her complete heart and soul into this company. And ...."

"Yes, Piper, and we thank you for that. Now we need to move on to the item on the agenda. We have fall preview coming up and ...." Charlie continues with the meeting.

The rest of the meeting I'm on cloud nine. You can't knock me off with a bat. At the end of the conference call, Charlie asks to speak with me offline.

My heart races because I*ve never talked to him. I mean I've talked to him, but never one on one. I'm probably stepped over the line with Piper and he's going to scold me for it.

"Hallie?" He questions whether I'm still on the line.

I'm going to start right out of the gate. "Sir, I'm sorry for the banter between Piper and me. I know better, being the regional.

"Don't worry about that. There is a reason we didn't offer the Cincinnati boutique to her."

What did he mean? We didn't offer...OMG! She didn't want to give up her regional? They demoted her.

"Kudos to her for wanting to take the Michigan Avenue store, but as you can read the numbers I sent you."

I look at Beatrice and begin shuffling papers on my desk to find the numbers page he's talking about.

Beatrice put the pages in front of me. She scribbles on her pad Day you left early.

Of course the numbers come in on the day I left. Wonder which day it was, because I seem to be leaving a lot lately.

"What do you think?" Charlie asks. But I don't hear a word he utters. I'm trying to find the numbers page.

"May I?" Beatrice places her hand up to her chest.

"Sir, let me introduce you to Beatrice. She and I have gone over and over these pages." Beatrice nods, letting me know she's got some good ideas, "I think you're going to like what she has to say. I know I like her ideas."

Beatrice and Charlie go on and on about the flagship store. Charlie agrees with everything she's saying. She's been accepted in the family and her face shows it.

"I can't believe he loves my ideas." She clasps her hands together after the phone conference. "Are you mad that I studied your pages?"

"No. I'm actually glad. You saved me again. I want to thank you."

"No need to thank me. I don't know. I feel like my life just took a turn in a different direction." She smiles. "I think I want to be bigger than a regional. I've got so many good ideas for all the stores."

My heart wants to jump out and kiss her. I'm so proud of her. She's grown so much in the past seven weeks. I have no doubt she'll go straight to the top.

"I almost forgot." She hands me a note. "The manager at Saks needs to see you." I roll my eyes. The manager has never wanted to see me before, I wonder what's wrong? I put it in my drawer. I've already put out more fires than I want to this morning and there's no water left in the hydrant. The Saks manager will have to wait until another day.

Chapter Thirty-Six.

By the end of the week, Wilson is raring to go. He's standing outside on the porch waiting for me to get home with Henry attached to his leash.

"Let's get going." Wilson throws his bag in the back seat of the car.

Henry yaps in delight. He loves going for rides. I look at my phone, thinking I should call Aunt Grace. But I'm still angry about last weekend and need a week off from them. I know she can't help what Uncle Jimmy does, but she can try to restrain him.

I look back at Wilson, who's motioning for me to go. "I need my Prudence fix. Let's go." He desperately pleads.

Aunt Grace is going to have to wait. The boutique is in good hands with Beatrice. I have beaded enough bracelets to replace the ones sold by Dee. My samples are neatly tucked in cute Beadnicks boxes I made, my business cards ready to go and my accounting is in a folder for Monk take a look at.

Lucy is in Mason Crossing with Beck and her family. The condo will be empty. Perfect for Bo and I to spend some more alone time.

The drive isn't too bad with Wilson and Henry to keep me company. We pull into Tower Place. I don't think I can take another minute how wonderful Wilson thinks Prudence.

Obviously the feeling is mutual, Prudence squeals with delight when she opens the door to find Wilson standing there with three dozen roses and a big grin.

She rushes me and Henry out, shutting the door behind us. I realize I'm not going to be spending any time with her this weekend.

"Welcome home! I've missed my southern belle." Sam tilts his hat.

If feels great to be home and going up in the elevator to the fifty-first floor. I laugh watching Henry dart around, smelling all the nooks and crannies he can fit into. He runs out on the balcony when I open the door. He jumps on the chaise and lays down, letting the sun warm his belly.

"Like mommy, like son." I smile watching Henry bask in the heat.

Everything is in order. All my stuff is the way I left it just a few weeks ago and the smell of familiar is a welcoming scent. I put my overnight bag away and pick up the phone to dial Bo's number. Quickly I place the receiver back down. What am I thinking? It's Friday night and he won't be home. He'll be at the bar. It'll be sweet to surprise him.

I pull my long black hair up in a bun tight to my head and carefully put on minimal makeup with dark eyes. My black four-inch heels with my Lela Rose white silk halter dress outlined in black with a thick black belt to accentuate my waist complete the perfect outfit.

"Bo won't be able to keep his hands off me," I say. Henry wags his tail in approval.

I give him lots of kisses before I catch the next elevator, and hail a taxi. No way can I walk all over downtown in these heels.