was driving him crazy.
She swung around.
‘What are you doing for dinner tonight?’ he blurted.
She lifted an eyebrow.
Case moved forward and plucked the pen from her lips, searching her eyes for the answer. ‘I’d like to take you to dinner.’
She hesitated.
‘Somewhere nice.’
‘O-kay. Sure. Why not? We can get to know each other a bit better. You know, you could tell me all about yourself,’ she rushed on.
‘Yes.’ He smiled. ‘Ditto.’
‘Ditto it is.’ She shot him a smile, sweeping out of the door, her eyes glittering.
FROM: [email protected]
RE: Baby shower
Gals,
Re my baby shower on Saturday. No strippers—my mother is coming. (This is not a hen night, that’s for Em. Save stud for then. My mum is not coming!) Have you met our born-again virgin, Chrystal? Yes, she’s taken a vow of…da-da da-dum…celibacy. Is the world still the right way up? Chrystal is a virgin wearing a skirt that covers not only her thighs but her knees! And has a blouse covering her breasts. Who said the impossible isn’t possible?
K
‘How do you get a good guy?’
Tahlia stared at Chrystal’s reflection in the mirror. ‘I don’t know. I’ll let you know when I get one.’ Her mind tripped to Case and she shook her head. She wasn’t sure he was a good guy and he wasn’t hers. ‘You should probably ask one of the others.’
‘True.’ Chrystal nodded slowly, brushing her wild hair back and tying it at her nape, doing a good imitation of a school marm. ‘You’re as messed up as me, only more socially acceptable.’
Tahlia shot her a look. ‘Gee, thanks. Why do you say that?’ Did she have a ‘Romantically Challenged’ label stuck on her forehead?
‘You’re not caught up in the must-haves.’
She swiped her lips with her Peach Passion lipstick. ‘I have a career, an apartment, a car and investments. What else could I possibly need?’
‘You’re joking, right?’ Chrystal’s eyes widened. ‘Even I’ve worked out that it’s not about material things. It’s about the people in your life. And sure, I know, I’ve had a lot of people in my life, men mostly, but it’s about keeping them there, you know, people that care for you.’
Tahlia stared blankly at the woman she’d known had hidden depths, but had never realised just how deep.
Chrystal sighed heavily. ‘And you need a good man to give you a good—’
‘I don’t think so. I’ve done very well without a man in my life, and I don’t intend to get one until I get my career all sorted out,’ she rushed on. Which, if all went to plan, shouldn’t be long, right after she sorted out Darrington.
Chrystal shrugged. ‘Could be too late. All the good ones will be gone.’
Tahlia felt the words echo down her spine, and down, settling heavy in her toes.
‘All I’m saying is, don’t leave it too late,’ Chrystal said softly, collecting her handbag.
‘Is that what this makeover is about? Finding someone to share the rest of your life with before it’s too late?’
‘Yes,’ Chrystal snapped, flicking a stray strand of her hair back. ‘And there’s nothing wrong with it.’
‘Of course not. If that’s what you want.’
‘And you don’t?’
Tahlia moved towards the door. She did not. How could she? Most people went into relationships blindly, not realising the cons. She’d seen the cons close-up and it was not pretty. She didn’t want that.
A fling here or there she could do, but that was it.
‘I have to go,’ Tahlia said softly. ‘I’m still at Mr Darrington’s office, so send anything or anyone after me there, okay?’
‘Absolutely.’ Her eyes shone. ‘You know all you have to do is ask and I’ll be there. I don’t know why you’re looking after Case Darrington when you could be looking after your own stuff in the comfort of your own office…’
Tahlia interrupted. ‘I know, but I have to do this.’
‘Like closure for that promotion that you didn’t get?’
She paused, holding the handle to the ladies’ room. ‘Something like that.’
‘Well, when you’ve had enough closure—’
‘Absolutely.’ She yanked open the door. It wouldn’t be long and she’d close the door on her Director of Sales position and be in her rightful one, with Case somewhere far more suitable.
Chrystal sashayed towards her. ‘What do you think about mixing business with pleasure?’
Tahlia swung to face Chrystal, her mouth open. Did she have that ‘Lusting after the Boss’ label on her forehead too?
‘Don’t look so shocked. I know I’ve dated nearly everyone in the building—’
She was asking for herself? ‘In general, not a good practice, but sometimes it’s unavoidable.’ Like flirting with Case. ‘Why?’
Chrystal sighed, clasping her bag to her chest. ‘Just this guy I really really like. He’s sort of conventional and uptight like you.’
‘Thanks.’ Tahlia moved through the door.
Chrystal followed. ‘Although he did say that he was still getting over the wounds of a really nasty divorce and couldn’t entertain a relationship…he’s a real wounded soul…and I want to help heal him.’
Tahlia sighed. Poor girl. The last thing she would ever want to get was tied up with a guy with those sort of issues. ‘Don’t get your hopes up. A guy like that…’ Could seriously be a problem. ‘Will have so many issues you may not have a chance for happiness.’
‘Maybe, but he’s so handsome and hot. I think he’s worth a try.’
‘Good luck.’ Tahlia sighed. At least her parents had started out well, without lies, without issues that would destroy what they had. Her father had managed that on his own.
She would never go near a guy like that. Too much to deal with, too hard to wade through the baggage, too much like asking for trouble and disappointment.
Chrystal
