D.C. Diplomats - D.J. Van Oss

A Sweet & Wholesome Romantic Comedy Book Series

D.C. Diplomats Series by D.J. Van Oss

Series Excerpt

“So, you’re saying you’re letting me go?” Adrian was standing in the office of Marty Suskind, the main dispatcher.

Marty had been head dispatcher of Prestige Driving Services for almost twenty years and had always been good to Adrian.

Now, he avoided looking Adrian in the eyes. “No, it’s not like that. You know if it were my decision we’d work it out, but the company has new rules regarding hours.”

“And mine don’t work anymore.” Adrian felt his face flush. “I’ve told them I need the flexibility for Charlie. They didn’t have a problem with it before.”

“I know, but like I said, the policies have changed. HR and all that. I’m sorry. Look, I’ll keep my ears open, of course. We have connections with the other agencies around, and with your federal clearance and record, I think you’ll be able to pick something up real quick. Or if you can find someone to take care of Charlie—”

“Nope.” Adrian hardened his voice. “It’s hard enough leaving her at school for six hours every day. The other day someone let the iguana out of his cage in her class, and it bit the custodian.” He rubbed his eyes briefly. “The thing could have given him parasites or some tropical disease. I can’t let anything happen to her now.” He sighed. “I just can’t.”

“Sure, sure,” Marty said sympathetically. “Just a thought.”

Adrian sighed again. “I know.” He stood and gathered his coat. “Thanks for looking out for me.”

Marty got up and stuck out his hand. “Anything for your family. Say hi to Danny when you see him, okay?”

Adrian shook his hand. “Sure thing. I’m sure he’d like to have you over for some of Beth’s chili sometime.”

“Beth’s chili?” Marty laughed. “Hey, I said I was sorry.”

Adrian also managed a smile at the thought of his sister-in-law’s notoriously evil chili. He paused, then pulled out his key chain, unhooked the keys to the Mercedes and put them on the desk. “Forgot about these. Let me know if something comes up, okay?”

“Of course.”

Adrian pulled on his coat and headed toward the nearest Metro station. He tried not to think about the house payments and Charlie and the medical bills he was still paying off. He needed work, and quick.

He rubbed his chin. Time to make some phone calls and call in a few favors.

***

“Here’s your coffee.” Maggie set a steaming paper cup on Jelly’s crowded desk where she was busy going over some receipts.

“Thanks,” Jelly said, not looking up.

“Gerard says hi,” Maggie said slyly.

“Does he?” Jelly said, still not looking up.

“Yes, he says, ‘When is Jelly coming over again? I think I want to marry her. I have a date set and—‘”

Jelly slapped Maggie’s thigh with the back of her hand. “Girl, shush. You’re terrible.”

“Well, you haven’t been over there in a while. I think he misses you.”

“I’m busy. Lot’s going on.”

“Well, don’t get too busy for fun,” Maggie advised.

“I hear that.” Jelly took a sip from her coffee. “Mmm. He does make good coffee.” She sat back. “And that man is easy on the eyes.”

“He definitely likes you,” Maggie said, fiddling with a box of antique buttons that needed sorting. “Talks about you all the time.”

“Well, maybe he can just talk himself over here sometime and we’ll have ourselves a little conversation.”

“Yes, you can talk about your future together and how many babies you want to have,” Maggie teased.

“What’re you, in grade school? And speaking of futures.” She got up from her desk, taking her coffee with her. “I was thinking while you were next door. C’mere, girl. Sit down.” She motioned to the overstuffed red velvet chair behind the counter.

“Are you firing me?” Maggie bumped the box of buttons, spilling them.

“Don’t be stupid.” Jelly perched on the counter, her legs dangling over the edge. “I have a proposition for you.”

“Okay...” Maggie sat, as ordered, and gave Jelly a quizzical look.

“You’ve been here for six months now, and I have to tell you, I’ve been designing for a lot longer than that, and I can see talent. Plus, you’ve got a way with the customers. Like that German lady that was in here two weeks ago. I didn’t know you spoke German, and there you were chattering away with her.”

“Oh, well, I only took one class.”

“Well, it must have been enough. Got her to buy two customs.”

Maggie shrugged. “Well, I do love the customers—the people. And the clothes...I just kind of make what I feel. It sort of comes to me.”

Jelly nodded. “That’s why I say you’re a natural. Match that with some more training and you could make this a career. And that’s why I want to offer you a partnership.”

“A partnership? In the store?”

Jelly nodded again. “Yup. We’re growing, no small thanks to you, and I think we can make it bigger, maybe even add another store someday, or even a chain of boutiques. Who knows? But we’ve got to move while things are cooking, or we might miss our chance.”

“We?” Maggie sat back. “But I don’t know anything about running a business.”

“I’m not asking you to take over, just to be partners. I’ve got the degree for what that’s worth, and you’re getting experience.”

Maggie knew Jelly wouldn’t be offering this if she didn’t believe in her abilities, and she was flattered. But co-owner of a store? It wasn’t really what she’d come to DC to do. She wasn’t sure exactly how much money that would take, but she was pretty sure she didn’t have it, which meant she’d have to take out a loan. Or worse, ask her parents. As if they would agree to her investing in a dress shop. Plus, it was a huge responsibility, and she’d hardly made a success of the things she’d already tried here.

“I know you’ve got to think about it.” Jelly hopped off the desk. “And we’d have to work out the details, but I thought I’d put the bug in your ear. We’ll talk about it more later this week. But Maggie,” she said, locking eyes with her, “I’ve seen your work, girl. And all those outfits we stitched together for kicks in college? I’m pretty sure you have what it takes. You might think you’re Miss Flighty and don’t know which end’s coming or going, but I think there’s more in that head of yours than just Irish air. You didn’t get through Georgetown on just your charm, you know.” She walked to the door that led to the stock room. “Besides, it’d be fun.”

After she disappeared into the back room, Maggie pondered the unexpected offer. Sure she had some experience with design, and she had to admit she did love it, but she wasn’t sure she could pull it off. Besides, she reminded herself again, she had come here to start a different career.

The determination to make her own way, to follow the path of her successful grandmother returned. There had to be some job of some importance she could find in this famous town, something that would start to build her career and her life.

She just needed that one break.

Books In This Series

Driving Miss Crazy (D.C. Diplomats Series Book 1)