Frisky Business Read Online Free PDF

sometimes. Things have gotten a little stuffy here with the change in management a few years ago. I just hope we don’t lose all the quirks that made this place so unique and appealing to community members.” She turned and pushed open the door to a small washroom. “Never mind. Let’s get cleaned up. Can’t go into the meeting stinking like dead fish.”
    Marley waited while Susan scrubbed up at the little sink. When it was her turn, Marley pumped the soap dispenser twice. The container sputtered and coughed up a disappointing teaspoon of foam.
    “Damn,” Susan said. “Harry was supposed to replace that.”
    “It’s okay,” Marley said, doing the best to de-fish her hands under the tepid water. “I’m fine as long as no one smells their hands after we shake.”
    Susan smiled again and pushed open the washroom door, holding it for Marley to pass. “Don’t worry about the meeting. You’ll do just fine. The board’s going to love you.”
    “Any last-minute tips?”
    “Speak loudly,” Susan said. “At least half of them are over seventy. Oh, and don’t be surprised if our chairman badgers you about the appraisal on the sex t— the figurines . The donor is his aunt, and the figurines have been in the family for quite some time.”
    “Thanks for the tip.”
    Susan stopped walking and lowered her voice. “You might as well know, our chairman can be a little… touchy.”
    “Touchy?” Marley frowned “Like he’s a sensitive old guy prone to emotional outbursts, or like I should be careful not to bend over within grabbing distance?”
    Susan laughed and shook her head. “Neither. He has some trust issues, that’s all. Don’t take it too personally.”
    “Got it. I appreciate the advice.”
    “On the upside, he keeps things interesting around here. Pretty much the opposite of stuffy.”
    “Good to know.”
    “Ready to head in?” Susan asked, nodding toward a pair of giant oak doors.
    “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
    They pushed through the doors together and stepped into the small, overheated boardroom. Marley surveyed the crowd of well-dressed, older citizens gripping coffee mugs emblazoned with the wildlife sanctuary’s logo. Everyone turned to study her, and Marley resisted the urge to wipe her hands on her skirt.
    “Marley, I’d like to introduce you to some of the board members you didn’t meet during your interview,” Susan announced. “Folks, this is Marley Cartman, our new director of development. She’ll be taking charge of donor relations and financial management. Marley, this is Gladys Gainsworth, Bed Playman, Stan Martin, Peter Quon, and Martin Braylard. Oh, and here’s our board chairman.”
    Marley turned as a man in a three-piece suit strode into the room, straightening a tie she was pretty sure cost more than her car. She stared at the suit, at the shoes that were surprisingly devoid of duct tape, at the eyes that were disturbingly mismatched, at the lips that were disconcertingly familiar.
    Marley opened her mouth to speak but couldn’t find any words at all.
    “Marley, this is the chairman of our board of trustees, William Barclay the Fifth,” Susan said. “Marley here is our new director of development.”
    Marley stuck out her hand like a trained dog. “William,” she stammered.
    “Just plain Will,” he corrected, smiling down at her. “How’s Magoo?”
    “Fine, thank you.” She glanced down at the floor, not trusting herself to meet his eyes. “You aren’t wearing the antique slippers.”
    “The duct tape clashed with the tie.”
    “You’re… you’re—” Marley stopped, not sure what she meant to say. You’re the guy I made out with didn’t seem right, nor did you’re the best kisser I’ve ever necked with in a kitchen.
    “You’re here!” she finished brightly, wishing the ground would swallow her up.
    “That I am,” Will agreed, giving her the tiniest wink.
    Susan clapped her hands together. “Okay, folks, shall we take our