In Love by Design (The Adventures of Anabel Axelrod) Read Online Free PDF Page A

right, that’s a cool Cinderfella story, except for PC dying.” I put the glass down with a clink on the granite island and sat back on my stool. “Let’s see, we have one poor little rich man James Byrd. He loves his mother, screws like he’s going for the gold in gymnastics at the Sexolympics—not that I’m judging, and he helps my sister because....?” I trailed off with brows raised.
    Jazy laughed merrily and replied, “Hey, hold your horses, I was getting there! Yes, James is incredibly hot and he comes off a little arrogant because he’s quiet, but he’s really not an asshole. Anyway, in his mother’s honor and in PC’s honor, James likes to help out women in their own businesses to become a success. His time is mainly geared towards Native Indian women start-ups, but he likes to spread the love to us paleface businesswomen every once in a while. James has so much money; he doesn’t ever have to work a day in his life again, but…”
    “But the money doesn’t drive him,” I finished her sentence with another twirl of my empty glass, “it’s the challenge of it all.”
    “Yes, that’s exactly what his mom said!” Jazy shook her head at me. “See, I knew you’d like him once I told you his story .”
    Holding the bottle of wine up to Jazy, at her nod I poured us each a half a glass. “So, Jaz-ma-taz, you want me to approach James Byrd to see if he will take me on as a client, too? Is that what this is all about?”
    Jazy shook her head and squirm ed a little while I took a sip of wine and watched her. I hid my smile against the goblet. My sister is a forthright woman and undercurrents make her nervous.
    She rested her crossed arms on the island top and confided, “Not entirely. I already know he’d take you on as a client because he asked me if I thought you’d be receptive to a meeting. My feeling is James Byrd’s personally interested in you.” She chewed her lip in thought and then shrugged. “Maybe I should say he was interested in you. To tell you the truth, I don’t know what the fuck he’s thinking about you because he’s hard to read. Like I said, a couple of weeks ago he mentioned having a meeting with you to talk over the possibilities. I told him that you’d never invest money or work with a man you had the remotest chance of dating, so he’d need to be clear on that from the get go.”
    I said noncommittally, “This is true. What else?”
    Jazy pursed her lips and thought for a second more. “Well, I think James knows you are dick whipped by Luke.” She grinned while swatting away the popcorn I fired at her head. “At this point, he’s probably only interested in working with you and I believe you could depend on James to be professional. He’s solid. You should talk to Charles Barkley and hear his opinion.”
    “ Sure, I’ll ask Mr. Barkley about James Byrd, the financial wizard. He’s been bugging me to choose another money man.” Jazy’s eyes widened at this. Sighing, I answered her look. “Yeah, Mr. Barkley’s insisting he’s getting old and wants me settled with someone trustworthy.” I reached across the island and patted my sister’s hand. “You’re good at sensing what people are made of, Sister Whisperer. If you’ve inspected his teeth and tell me James Byrd’s character is solid, that’s all I need to hear.”
    Jazy snorted, but was smiling. “Ah shucks, I was only being bitchy when I said you don’t take my advice. I know you love me. Now quit being dainty and poor me a full glass of wine this time.”

Chapter II
    “ Baby It’s You (’69)” by Smith
     
    Thursday, 12/06/12
    10: 20 PM
     
     
    The drive from Mac’s house to my back parking lot is only a few blocks. By no means done with my list of problems, I have to pause in my mental recital to concentrate on parking in my garage. Reggie always checks for new scrapes on the sides of the jeep’s tires due to my propensity for sharking curbs and other obstructions. The little Narc