Lost & Rich
By
Jude Ouvrard
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Widowed before
her thirtieth birthday, Gracie Collins has dealt with her share of tragedy.
Lonely and on her own, she ends up taking a job with an arrogant boss. Three
years later, she’s taken to tolerating him for the sake of entertainment. When
she’s not eating the frustrations he’s caused, that is. Everything changes when
a stroke of good luck puts Gracie in a position she never imagined. Freed of
the rat race, she begins contemplating her identity, her goals, and her dreams.
She begins taking chances and expanding her horizons, but is she ready to move
on with life, love, and the future? Will her newfound fortune pave the road to
happiness? Or will Gracie find that wealth has left her poorer than ever
before?
I can’t
believe I’m running late for the second time in three days.
Why? Because my new iPhone is my alarm, and apparently, I
haven’t figured out how the damn thing works yet. Anyway, here I am, running
through the business district of New York like a mad lady, wearing two and half
inch high heels while sweat rolls down my forehead. If my husband were still
alive, I’m sure I wouldn’t be running this morning. I would be sitting in his
comfortable Jeep while he drives me to work. I sigh and try not to think about
him. Time is flying by so fast this morning, I can’t deal with emotions right
now.
It’s
just about nine in the morning but already almost seventy-five degrees. Why not
wear my sneakers to work instead of the dress shoes? They’re at my
office. Jesus Christ! If by some stroke of luck Mr. Pulley doesn’t
fire me this morning, then I’m buying a lottery ticket. There’s no way he is
that forgiving, though; and I understand. I’m already thirteen minutes late,
which is unacceptable.
If I
could, I’d take off the heels and run. It’d be much easier and faster, but the
last time I did that, I ruined a pair of stockings. Not a luxury I can afford,
although they’re a luxury I refuse to give up. Sexy silk stockings are my
guilty pleasure, what I treat myself to no matter what they cost.
The
moment I run inside the building breathless and disheveled, all eyes are on
me—Mr. Pulley’s included. He might have called my name as I rushed for the
elevator, but I’m not sure because all I can hear is the echo of my heels
clicking against the marble floor. Jumping in the elevator right before the
door closes, I take a deep breath and try to fix the mess of my hair.
“Rough
morning?”
“I’m
pretty sure it’s about to turn into a rough day,” I answer with a roll of my
eyes.
The man
gives me an apologetic smile and stays quiet for the remainder of the ride.
A pile
of work needing attention awaits me at my desk, along with the burning pain of
multiple blisters on my feet. I want to cry. There may even be tears in my eyes
at this point.
“Ms.
Collins, in my office, now.”
His
voice gives me shivers, and not good ones. I’m scared shitless. “Shit,” I
mutter to myself before following him to his office.
“We
aren’t in kindergarten, Ms. Collins. Am I going to have to keep an excel sheet
of all your misdemeanors, or will you be able to be on time from now on?”
“I’m
sorry. I’m having a hard time adjusting to my new iPhone.”
Mr.
Pulley looks at me as if I’m growing a second head. “Your alarm clock issues
are not my problem. But seriously? My four-year-old nephew can configure one of
those in less than two minutes.”
“Well,
I guess there are two geniuses in your family, then.” Jesus, did I say
that out loud?
“Excuse
me?”
“I’m
sorry, Mr. Pulley. I’ll contact Apple and arrange a private session to figure
it out. It won’t happen again.” If I can’t keep my sarcasm in check, I’ll be in
trouble.
“Go.
Before I change my mind. However, this is your last warning, Ms. Collins. Oh,
and may I suggest you visit the restroom, you look like a racoon.”
"Drama,
true love, tattoos...and everything in between!"
Jude Ouvrard is
an author who writes from the heart, and reads with passion and devotion. Jude
enjoys stories of drama, true love, tattoos, and everything in between. While
writing is her therapy, reading is her solace. Life doesn't get better than
books and chocolate, and maybe a little bit of shopping.
A romance lover,
Jude writes about love, pain, heartbreak and matters that will challenge your
heart. A book can tell an unexpected story, no matter which directions it
takes. Jude embraces words that have haunted her for years.
Jude is a
working mom who dedicates her time to a law firm and writing books. She has an
energetic superhero son, and a supportive boyfriend of many years. Her family
is her rock; she could not survive without them. Born a country girl, she
transformed into a city woman who now lives in Montreal, Canada. Although
French is her first language, Jude decided to write in English because she
liked the challenge.
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