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“Another productive session,” Staci said, thrilled—and deeply relieved—that everything was back on track for the company Staci Kay Shoes had encountered a serious derailment when Ryan had discovered that the production staff was functioning at only forty-two percent capability at the sah the roof because of the sexy new ad can

Staci had lostover how to rectify the deficiency—particularly within a short period of ti halt and her business collapsed

Now they were prins Yet it was still critical to keep an eye on future projections to make sure the company didn’t lose momentum or run into the same production problems they’d just experienced

Maxi said, “I wish like hell I knew of so suitable for our needs” She crossed her long legs, rotating her ankle as though it ached

“So will turn up” Staci observed the dark-haired, blue-eyed executive, fashionably dressed in a chic red suit—the perfect color for Maxi She frowned as Maxi continued to work the kinks in her ankle “You’ve been doing that a lot lately In fact, you were li just a tiny bit earlier”

“Nothing to worry about,” Maxi assured her

“Yeah, right Spill already,” Staci ordered

They were more than just CEO and VP—they were close friends Maxi had been one of Staci’s first eo They’d been sorority sisters and cheerleaders at the University of Baltimore Staci o years older than Maxi, who had joined the start-up company in between her sophomore and junior terms

Staci had studied fashion design, and she loved everything bold and daring, be it contee fun

Her state, sleek, shiny, dark-auburn hair, which complemented her tawny eyes But, hands down, her trademark was shoes Every style, every color, every pattern It was her uilty pleasure rolled into one

“Co to”

“It’s not that big a deal,” Maxi explained “Just that we’ve all been nonstop action since this crisis hit, and I’ve recently realized that I’ fourteen- to sixteen-hour days in six-inch heels”

“That?

?s completely understandable However,” Staci said with a pointed look, “we do have a line of gorgeous flats to choose from”

“I know” Maxi sirl, like you Preferably the stilettos I like the additional altitude they give me Not to mention the fact they drive Ryan nuts in the absolute best way, so…” She shrugged nonchalantly “I’ it up”