Listen to Your Heart - Fern Michaels [49]
“I’m ready to sign on with you. I’m a free agent. I’ll be home tomorrow afternoon. How’s Zip?”
“How the hell should I know how your dog is? Fat with big feet and wild hair? I’m gonna get you for that one. Your lady friend has Zip. He rammed through the door when I went to get him. I had to buy a new screen door. I heard you had to go that route yourself. I took her to dinner. Let me be the first to tell you that you are not on the lady’s top ten list. I think she more or less hates your guts right now. You got some major sucking up to do, buddy.” He paused. “You really coming aboard, Paul?”
“Yeah, I am. Do I need to duck when I go over there?”
“Full body armor might do it,” Jack guffawed. “By the way, we went to see Butterfunck. You might take her there again. It’s just a suggestion. She does like to hoot and holler!” He stared at the pinging phone and laughed until tears rolled down his cheeks.
Jack swigged from his beer bottle. Hot damn, the big Cajun was finally seeing the light and coming aboard. That meant more free time, more vacations, and his best friend working right alongside of him. It didn’t get much better than that. “I think, Miss Josie Dupré, you had something to do with all of this, and I do sincerely thank you.”
Dressed in a custom-tailored suit, a pristine white shirt, and a designer tie, his hair slicked back, Jack Emery led his entourage into the New Orleans Airport. “You guys got it right now? The minute we see him you start playing ‘When the Saints Go Marching In,’ the girls throw the Mardi Gras beads, the photographer shoots, and you,” he said, pointing to a scantily clad model, “hold up the champagne and your pals hold the wineglasses. We can drink it in the three stretch limos on the way to the office. Everybody set? You all know what he looks like, so let’s get ready. Remember now, we parade out of here like we own the place, and for today we do. Sort of. Just keep playing ‘Saints’ until we get to the limos. This guy is going to be so dumbfounded he won’t be able to utter a word,” Jack said, smacking his hands together gleefully. When it came to Paul, it was always one-upmanship. He could hardly wait to find out how his buddy would retaliate. Whatever he did, it would be good.
“Okay, here come the passengers. There he is! Hit it, guys!”
Paul Brouillette’s jaw dropped as strobes lit up. His eyes searched the crowd for some sign that all this was for him. His jaw dropped further when the scantily clad model threw her arms around him, a champagne bottle clutched in each hand. He felt a wet kiss on his check before his gaze locked with Jack’s. Then he grinned. “It’s a party!” he shouted, to be heard over the musicians.
“Damn straight, it’s a party! It’s all for you, buddy. There’s another one going on at the office right now. It was the least I could do for my old buddy! Welcome home, Paul!” Jack said, clapping him on the back.
“Where’s Zip?” Paul shouted.
“With the fat lady who has big feet. I’m gonna get you for that one!”
“Can we stop and pick him up on the way? I really missed him.”
“I tried earlier, but no one was home. I didn’t hear Zip bark, and I didn’t want a repeat of that other night when he went through the door. We can pick him up after the party. It will only last an hour or so. We got some new guys at the firm, and they’re dying to meet you. I also want to present your first job to you. Then, I’m going on vacation with Marissa.”
“You’re leaving me alone with . . . everything?”
“Hey, you’re a partner now. You gotta jump in some time. Might as well be right away. You can handle it. If you screw up, so what? That’s how you learn.”
The sudden silence was deafening the moment the musicians started to pack up their instruments. Paul took off his jacket, rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, and yanked at his tie.
“See, you got it down.” Jack laughed as he pushed his friend into the limo. “This one is just for us. The others go in the two behind us. Now, cut the