A Solitary Romance: Book 1 in the Only Love Series by Violet Sparks Page B
Authors: Violet Sparks
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with the other gentlemen. Kiki stood and gestured for William to take the seats reserved for them, at the head of the table. As the pillars of the community filled their chairs, LaSalla chose one across from her.
She resorted to the old technique of ignoring the man, and took great interest in the conversations taking place on either side of her. A major client and buddy of the managing partner stood to give the first toast. Katrina didn't listen. She went over her encounter at the bar. She had the impression that two or three men had toasted Dodd while she reviewed every detail of Robert's actions. Vaguely aware of bursts of applause and laughter, she forced her attention back to the party.
"Penny for your thoughts."
She glanced across the table to the source of those words and saw Robert examining her intently.
"Say, why did you n—never mention this guy before?" Chuck asked. He sounded tipsy. "What's all this stuff about you turning him down?"
She shot Robert a pleading look before turning to Kiki for help. The receptionist tried to distract Chuck Manning but had no luck.
"You know, sh—she doesn't turn me d—down," Chuck stammered, slapping himself across the chest as if they couldn't guess which me he meant.
Kate exhaled and rolled her eyes. This couldn't get much worse.
"Stop it, Chuck," she said, but applause drowned out her words.
The clapping died down and an eerie silence fell on the room. Did everyone hear Chuck's crude comments? She glanced around, confused, and noted that all eyes were on her. Yikes .
"I'll go first," Robert whispered, rising from his chair.
Still mystified, Katrina didn't figure out things until her new boss began his tribute speech. LaSalla started by thanking Dodd for giving him a position, then recounted what a true friend the managing partner had been to his parents. He kept it short, and the group, who by this time had imbibed quite a bit of alcohol, applauded vigorously when he finished.
Kate took her position up front next. She stopped to hug the managing partner before beginning her speech, and tried to fight back her tears.
"I've spent a lot of time with Mr. Dodd over the years, and I can honestly say he's the best boss I've ever had. But tonight, I'm going to share some things you might not all be aware of regarding our honored guest."
Everyone laughed. She liked public speaking and knew how to hold an audience in the palm of her hand. She continued, making eye contact with as many guests as possible. Recounting the time she and Willian ended up stuck in an airport due to a freak snow storm, Katrina included tales of her boss taking charge of a colicky baby, organizing an all-night poker tournament among their fellow travelers, and purchasing an airline ticket so a college student could make it home for his sister's wedding.
"Thank you, William Dodd, not for only the generosity you've shown your employees, but for what I've glimpsed outside the office. You are and will always be an inspiration." She ended her tribute, choking back tears.
Wild applause erupted as the managing partner stood and embraced her in a bear hug. His circle of close friends stood, some bestowing hugs on Katrina, and some giving her hearty hand shakes. It would be a tough act to follow.
Chuck, scheduled to speak earlier, still hadn't sobered up. He couldn't even sit straight but slouched over the table. Kate gave Kiki a worried look, but the receptionist remained unflappable. She watched as her friend whispered something in Manning's ear, then she, herself, stood by the head of the table.
"We'd like to hear from the legend himself," she announced, gesturing towards Dodd, arms outstretched and palms facing the ceiling.
One of William's more alacritous pals leapt forward and clasped Kiki in an embrace, lifting her off the ground by her waist and spinning her in the air. The room went wild. When the older man put the receptionist
She resorted to the old technique of ignoring the man, and took great interest in the conversations taking place on either side of her. A major client and buddy of the managing partner stood to give the first toast. Katrina didn't listen. She went over her encounter at the bar. She had the impression that two or three men had toasted Dodd while she reviewed every detail of Robert's actions. Vaguely aware of bursts of applause and laughter, she forced her attention back to the party.
"Penny for your thoughts."
She glanced across the table to the source of those words and saw Robert examining her intently.
"Say, why did you n—never mention this guy before?" Chuck asked. He sounded tipsy. "What's all this stuff about you turning him down?"
She shot Robert a pleading look before turning to Kiki for help. The receptionist tried to distract Chuck Manning but had no luck.
"You know, sh—she doesn't turn me d—down," Chuck stammered, slapping himself across the chest as if they couldn't guess which me he meant.
Kate exhaled and rolled her eyes. This couldn't get much worse.
"Stop it, Chuck," she said, but applause drowned out her words.
The clapping died down and an eerie silence fell on the room. Did everyone hear Chuck's crude comments? She glanced around, confused, and noted that all eyes were on her. Yikes .
"I'll go first," Robert whispered, rising from his chair.
Still mystified, Katrina didn't figure out things until her new boss began his tribute speech. LaSalla started by thanking Dodd for giving him a position, then recounted what a true friend the managing partner had been to his parents. He kept it short, and the group, who by this time had imbibed quite a bit of alcohol, applauded vigorously when he finished.
Kate took her position up front next. She stopped to hug the managing partner before beginning her speech, and tried to fight back her tears.
"I've spent a lot of time with Mr. Dodd over the years, and I can honestly say he's the best boss I've ever had. But tonight, I'm going to share some things you might not all be aware of regarding our honored guest."
Everyone laughed. She liked public speaking and knew how to hold an audience in the palm of her hand. She continued, making eye contact with as many guests as possible. Recounting the time she and Willian ended up stuck in an airport due to a freak snow storm, Katrina included tales of her boss taking charge of a colicky baby, organizing an all-night poker tournament among their fellow travelers, and purchasing an airline ticket so a college student could make it home for his sister's wedding.
"Thank you, William Dodd, not for only the generosity you've shown your employees, but for what I've glimpsed outside the office. You are and will always be an inspiration." She ended her tribute, choking back tears.
Wild applause erupted as the managing partner stood and embraced her in a bear hug. His circle of close friends stood, some bestowing hugs on Katrina, and some giving her hearty hand shakes. It would be a tough act to follow.
Chuck, scheduled to speak earlier, still hadn't sobered up. He couldn't even sit straight but slouched over the table. Kate gave Kiki a worried look, but the receptionist remained unflappable. She watched as her friend whispered something in Manning's ear, then she, herself, stood by the head of the table.
"We'd like to hear from the legend himself," she announced, gesturing towards Dodd, arms outstretched and palms facing the ceiling.
One of William's more alacritous pals leapt forward and clasped Kiki in an embrace, lifting her off the ground by her waist and spinning her in the air. The room went wild. When the older man put the receptionist
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