Dark and Stormy: Sacred Hearts Coven Read online

  “We are a team. We all might make our own sales and our own commissions, but at the end of the day, we’re a united company. We sell each other every time we get in front of or on the phone with a customer. Let's support and respect each other. Every happy customer opens another door to a new pool of potential clients.” Serena spoke to everyone in the room.

  Serena started to write on the white board that sat just outside her office, facing the downstairs office space. It was a charming place to work. There were desks strategically placed around what used to be the formal living room and dining room of an old Victorian single-family house. Clients commented on classic details that were left alone, like the curved archways between rooms and the original wood-paneled wainscoting that lead to an upstairs office space.

  Regina had just come back from a business lunch; her arrival was on the cusp of being late. Instead of being rude at the start of the sales meeting and dragging a chair in from the other room, she just scooted her butt up on someone’s desk and crossed her legs.

  Regina’s long legs became the focus of more than one pair of eyes in the room. Her friend and co-worker Alita sat behind the desk she had chosen for a perch. Alita was a bit more mischievous than most of the other employees. She feared not about her position, as she was related to Serena and Michelangelo. There were a number of family members working there, which is why there wouldn’t be a place for Regina or Reddick as an executive sales associate. Though, there had been rumors of a new office.

  Alita, as usual, wasn’t paying much attention to the details of the meeting. She looked like she was taking copious notes, but Regina knew better. She glanced over her shoulder and took note of the doodles all over the page of her notebook. They were a collection of penis people with happy faces and such. Regina giggled to herself and shook her head. It amazed her how Alita's mind was akin to that of a fourteen-year-old boy.

  “You know, Reggie, someone’s got an eye on the lace of your thigh-high that’s peeking out the bottom of your skirt,” Alita whispered.

  Regina’s face instantly flushed. She tried to cross her legs in the opposite direction and looked directly at Reddick. He made no attempt to divert his eyes from her. He never backed down from anything. Reddick worked hard for what he wanted, and he got what he wanted. This was why he was the only person Regina couldn’t outsell. She shifted her skirt to make sure she wasn’t exposing herself anymore.

  Alita had no problem teasing Regina and suggesting that Reddick had an eye for her, but Regina assured her there was no chance of that. He was easy on the eyes, but her focus was on her next sale and making sure her team was going above and beyond Serena’s expectations.

  Regina knew Reddick’s work ethic was on point with her own. The only difference was that she went home alone at night to a TV dinner and an empty bed. Reddick went to the local bars or into the city to exclusive and high-end clubs and lounges. He often came into work after having only slept a few hours.

  She did respect that he never let it show. Reddick was always outfitted in a crisp, well-tailored suit. Never did a day go by that he came into work with a single missed bit of stubble on his deep olive skin, his goatee trimmed to the perfect length to frame his full lips.

  “Regina?” Serena called out her name, and it sounded to Regina as if maybe she hadn’t noticed the first time she was addressed.

  Regina's eyes met with her boss' in acknowledgment.

  “Where are we on the Peterson file?”

  “We’re ahead of schedule, actually. I’m waiting on one more signature and then we can get started processing the paperwork,” she answered.

  “Serena, I haven’t uploaded my team’s sales from last night. I'm sorry if that skews your numbers for the meeting today. I was just really busy closing the Klein and Kaminski files this morning.” Reddick jumped on the tail wind of Regina's response.

  Reddick knew exactly what he was doing. This was one of his famous moves. He would hold back from processing things so Regina wouldn’t realize they weren’t as close in numbers as she thought. Sticking it to her in a meeting made the sides of his lips curl up in an ever so slightly devilish grin.

  “Excellent Reddick, but everyone is looking good for the month. We’re heading into our last week of the quarter and our goals have already been met. Today, I actually wanted to do something a little bit different. I certainly cannot complain about where we are for the year, but I think we need to not only address how to keep our numbers on a steady incline, but also on how to maintain the flow of business.

  “You all know that I like short and concise meetings, but today I want to take an hour and split up into groups and do some brainstorming on how and what we can implement to continue to grow in this challenging market.” Serena moved to the center of the room and looked around, making sure to make eye contact with each of her employees.

  “I am thinking we’re going to mix it up a bit. Let's have everybody split up into pairs instead of groups. Make them boy/girl and be sure you pair with someone from the opposite sales team. It is ten minutes to one. Let’s all meet back here for a recap at two p.m. That gives you a few minutes to get situated and to grab a cup of coffee. Please, people, don't forget to take notes. I want them handed in so Michelangelo and I can go over them tonight.”

  The decibel on the volume in the room began to rise quickly as everyone scrambled to pair up and fight for their turn in line at the coffee machine. There was fun to be had, but at the end of that hour they knew there was an expectation that better be met.

  “Oh,” Serena interjected over the noise. “Regina and Reddick, a moment—in my office.”

  Regina and Reddick looked up at her, then at each other and then back at Serena again. They, as nonchalantly as possible, scurried to make their way to her office with handcrafted French doors. Always wanting to best each other, they locked shoulders, trying to fit at the same time through the door opening. Serena took notice and just shook her head.

  “Would the two of you knock it off and get in here?” Serena shuffled some papers at her desk.

  Reddick took a step back and bowed toward Regina, waving her into the office. “Beauty before success.”

  “That’s charming, and in case you forgot, my numbers were higher than yours last month.” Regina shook her pen at him.

  “You’re both as beautiful as you can be. And quite frankly, if you both weren’t successful, you wouldn't be here.” Serena turned her hand palm up to the ceiling. “Please, sit.

  “You’re both my star players. I couldn't imagine anyone else in charge of my sales reps. Our numbers are up fifteen percent from last year. Some of our competitors are closing their doors, and we’re gaining momentum. You are not only fabulous at what you do, but are born leaders. Sometimes I ride you, but that’s my job as your boss.” Serena took a sip of her coffee from her hot-pink tumbler that read: Witchy Woman.

  “There are two things I want to go over. First off, I want to make sure that not only your sales teams collaborate about strategizing new marketing ideas, but I want the two of you to work together and come up with a solid new campaign. I asked that everyone turn in their brainstorming ideas. Feel free to take them home and have a look at them before you hand them over to Michelangelo and myself. You can have two weeks to work on it. Next week we can firm up a date and time for you to give us your presentation.”

  Regina forced herself not to roll her eyes at the thought of actually having to work with Reddick. Instead, she settled for a sigh and her posture slumped a little. Serena gave her a slanted look, and she did her best to perk back up.

  “I have my wheels spinning already,” Regina said with a weak smile and then started to get up to excuse herself.

  “One more thing before you go.” Serena’s comment halted Regina’s movement. “I have a little something special planned for our cocktail hour on Friday. Let your teams know that whoever gets a sale between now and Friday will be entered in a raffle for a gift card of their choosing in the a
mount of two hundred and fifty dollars. Winner will be announced at five p.m. Friday.”

  “Wow, Serena. That is going to kick start a few motors out there,” Reddick chimed in and looked like he was going to start bouncing in his seat. One of the guys on his team loved the opportunity to win free stuff. This was right up his alley.

  “Well then, what are you waiting for? You have less than forty minutes to motivate them to get those marketing ideas down. You know I don't like to waste a lot of time with meetings, and I hear those phones ringing. You can close out the brainstorming session for me with the raffle news.” Serena looked over to her computer screen and started typing away.

  “Oh, wait. I almost forgot. I got a little something for each of you. A small gesture to let you know I’m noticing all the hard work you’re both putting in.” Serena reached into her drawer and pulled out a small box. She put it on her desk and lifted the lid. She pulled out a red wad of fabric, placed it on her desk, and unwrapped two round stones. They were white with a blue opalescence to them.

  “You can put these on your desks. They are moonstones. The moonstone is said to bring success in love and business. They say that if you want them to kick start your luck, you should sleep with them under your pillow the first night they are yours. You certainly don't have to, but hey, every little edge we can gain can’t hurt.”

  Regina and Reddick graciously walked over to the desk. Serena placed one in each of their hands. She knew by their lack of communication that they didn’t know what to say. Instead of letting things get any more awkward, she scooted them out of her office. “Off with you. Go make me some money.”

  “Thank you,” they said in unison.

  REGINA AND REDDICK walked around the lower-level sales floor and talked with various couples to see what they were coming up with. They decided to each stick to one side of the room so they had a chance to touch base with everyone. Each pairing had one person from each team and there was no reason they needed to double talk to everyone.

  They were very efficient in that way. It also guaranteed that they wouldn’t have to talk to each other. This time there would be no way out of it. Serena expected one presentation from both of them, not from each of them.

  Reddick and Regina didn’t always see eye to eye on things. Regina knew she was going to need to take charge of this project to make sure it was done right. PowerPoint wasn’t Reddick’s strong point, but he did have a way with talking to people. He could sell a steak to a vegetarian. The only one who wasn't buying from that cow was Regina.

  At the end of the meeting, Reddick took the lead in telling the sales force about Serena’s generous sales contest for the next few days. It got everyone hustling back to his or her desk and on the phones with their pipeline. There was a buzz around the office that everyone was taking advantage of.

  “I’m going to grab a cup of coffee before we head up. We can talk about a plan for when and what we’re going to do about this presentation,” Regina declared to Reddick.

  “You drink too much coffee. I’ll join you. I need to make myself a protein shake anyway.” Reddick followed her to the small kitchen just behind Serena and Michelangelo’s office.

  He reached for a giant jug of protein powder that he kept on top of the refrigerator. While Regina was standing at the counter making her cup of coffee, he made sure to reach his shake cup above her head. He pressed against her just enough that she felt his breath in her hair. “Girl, you’re always in my way.”

  His arm glided through the air across her face. He left his usual scented trail that was reminiscent of honeysuckle growing deep in the forest. Regina couldn’t help but take a whiff. Before she would allow herself the moment to enjoy his scent, she pushed him away.

  “Whatever! You’re going to make me spill my coffee,” Regina scolded him like a child.

  “I think you need to lighten up. Perhaps we should work on this presentation tonight over something a little stronger than coffee?” Reddick was ready to get her going.

  “Umm, how about no? I have a lot of work to do, and if you must know, I have a date tonight.” She lifted her shoulder as she looked over it at him.

  The only date Regina had was with her seventy-pound chocolate Labrador, Crunch. He was who kept her comfy and warm at night as of late. If he weren’t enough to hit the spot, she would munch on some bite-size chocolate crunch bars of course.

  “So you’ll be heading out early tonight, then?” Reddick questioned her.

  “I guess if you call nine o’clock early. Honestly, I don't know how you go out so much.”

  “With an endless supply of ladies and liquor, why would I want to stay home? What would I do, sip on some tea and read a book?” Reddick finished shaking the heck out of his gross protein drink. “Come on, we have work to do.”

  “You’re such a pig. If those women even had a clue.” Regina shook her head. “Maybe we can come up with a new campaign and include a nice little pig icon for you.”

  “Not a bad idea. You know how everyone loves to indulge in bacon. Bacon makes everything taste better. My gosh, they even have chocolate-covered bacon now.” Reddick sipped on his shake as they walked up the stairs to their desks, with a few other hand-selected and least annoying sales associates.

  “Yeah right. People don't eat that.” Regina laughed at such a thought.

  “They do. They make it over at Swanson's Bakeria. Maybe I’ll bring some in tomorrow. You know how everyone here loves them some free junk food.”

  “Hey, Regina!” Serena called from the bottom of the stairs. “I wanted to catch you before you got settled.”

  “Sure. What’s up?” Regina turned and started back down the stairs. She didn’t say a word to Reddick. He, on the other hand, watched her as she turned and sashayed herself down the stairs in her signature red heels.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Broken Shoes

  “THANKS FOR COMING down. I wanted to get your opinion on something.” Serena grabbed her by the arm and started to escort her out to the small parking area in the rear of the house. Although the once backyard had long since been paved over with blacktop, the areas surrounding the property were meticulously kept. There were huge hydrangea bushes all along the white picket fence that separated their property from the law office next door.

  There was a lot of charm to where they were lucky to call their workplace. There was even a patio with a few tables and benches under a large white arbor for entertaining clients or having lunch when weather permitted. Regina assumed Serena had another new idea for some new plantings that she wanted to share. Serena did most of the gardening, but of course she paid a hunky guy to come mow the lawn and trim the trees.

  On the other hand, maybe she just wanted an excuse to go out and watch Sam mow the lawn. She asked him to use the push mower instead of the big industrial ones most landscapers used. She claimed it would be more delicate for her grass, but Regina suspected it was because she enjoyed the way his muscles flexed while he pushed the old thing around.

  He didn’t do the best job, but all the ladies in the office admired his working habits—he never wore a shirt and his tanned chest glistened above his tightly packed abs. There was something about a guy that worked hard and was covered in sweat and dirt that could get your motor running.

  Regina started to picture how he would need to be stripped down and soaped up at the end of the day. She wouldn't mind giving him a hand with that.

  “Reggie?”

  “Yeah, sorry.”

  “Sam is something to take a good look at, isn't he?” She winked at her. “But I wanted to show you something I got for my weekend away with Michelangelo.”

  “Okay, and yes, Sam is quite nice on the eyes.” Regina gave him a wave.

  While she was busy drooling over the landscaper, Serena tossed a bit of that enchanted ash from her spell the night before out onto the ground in Regina’s path.

  “Sorry to drag you out here in the heat. I forgot to bring my shopping bags in t
he office.”

  Just as they were approaching Serena’s car, the heel of Regina’s left pump got caught in a crack in the pavement. Before she realized her foot was stuck, she attempted to continue her stride. The heel snapped off and she almost tumbled to the ground.

  The coffee in her hand went flying up in the air. She reached out to grab hold of Serena for stability. Luckily, Serena caught her arm and although the coffee cup shattered, no one was a victim of the spill.

  “Holy crap, what just happened?” Serena asked

  “My shoe, my friggin’ shoe got stuck. Look at this.” Holding up her shoe with no heel, she started to laugh. “It’s broken.”

  Regina put the heelless shoe back on and started to hobble over to the car. “How hot is this? Don't be jealous. You could have this look too. With only a small alteration to your pumps, every man will turn his head to look your way.”

  “Ha, yeah, wondering what's wrong with me. I’ve never seen that happen. Take them off. I have a pair of slippers in my office you can borrow. I have to head back to the mall to return one of these nighties, so I can pick you up a new pair. Size seven if I remember correctly?” Serena smiled and was proud that her spell was working already.

  Serena had that Nordstrom’s bag in the trunk of her car. Her plan was coming together better than she could have expected. Once she got those shoes onto Regina’s feet, it would all be up to destiny. Her spell could only push things along just so far. If it wasn’t meant for Regina and Reddick to be connected, no spell could make it happen.

  “Always a size seven and red.” Regina winked at Serena. “Now let's take a look at that sexy lingerie you got stashed away in your fancy car.”

  Serena was very professional at work, but she and Regina were friendly enough that Serena didn’t hide her sexuality. She was maybe a little too open about her past experiences and the things she and Michelangelo did to each other in their spare time. Regina wasn’t the type of person to judge them. She envied Serena for not being ashamed of who she was.