card and passed it over to her. “You drop by my office around one tomorrow afternoon, I’ll buy you lunch for your trouble and we can do the consultation then. How does that sound?”
Eden accepted his card and stared down at it. She hesitated a moment and his heart did that idiotic beat-skipping thing again.
She’s going to say no, he thought, and his spirits plummeted.
What in the hell was the matter with him? He hadn’t been this nervous since his high school prom. Blame his uncharacteristic anxiety on a long dry spell.
Speaking of second virginity, he’d been celibate for the past eight months. Not because he hadn’t had plenty of opportunities, but simply because no one had excited him to the point of making an effort.
Until now.
She wet her lips with the tip of her tongue then raised her eyes to meet his again.
Thump-thump-thump went his ticker.
“Okay,” she said. “Why not?”
SHE HAD A DATE.
For the first time in almost a year she had a date. A date with—Eden stared at the card still clutched in her hand—Alec Ramsey.
The little rectangle of stiff paper burned a hole in her palm, but already the powerful rush of creative sexual energy she had experienced in his presence was starting to dissipate. Had she imagined it all?
Come on, it’s not a date, niggled her nay-saying voice. It’s a business luncheon.
Before she had time to argue with herself about the “date” versus “not date” status of her appointment with Alec, Ashley and Mrs. Lockerbee pounced.
“Omigod,” Ashley clutched her hand to her heart. “Was that guy gorgeous or what?”
“Not only gorgeous,” Mrs. Lockerbee said. “But rich and famous, too.”
“Famous?” Eden furrowed her brow.
“Don’t tell me you didn’t recognize him?” Mrs. Lockerbee clicked her tongue.
“That’s because you were too busy drooling,” Ashley commented. “Not that I blame you one tiny bit. And the cool thing was, he seemed just as taken with you.”
“He didn’t.”
“Oh, but he did.” Ashley nodded knowingly.
“His card just gives his name, business address and phone number. Don’t leave me hanging in suspense, Jayne. Who is Alec Ramsey?”
Jayne telegraphed her a wicked smile. “Why, darling, that perfect specimen of manhood is none other than the publisher of Single Guy magazine and the most eligible bachelor in Manhattan.”
“You know him personally?”
“Last year we served on the board of the Kids Count charity together. He’s very big into helping underprivileged youths and he really means what he says. He’s not just some rich guy throwing money around to boost his public image.”
“I would never have guessed it.” He looked so sophisticated and polished Eden had a hard time imagining him hanging with street kids.
“Alec lost his own father when he was in his teens, a heart attack I think, and it had a lasting impact on him. He doesn’t take anything for granted. That’s why he works so hard. I think his earnestness just adds to his sex appeal.”
“I’m meeting him for lunch tomorrow.”
“Get outta here!” Ashley gave her a playful shove. “You go, woman.”
“Only to discuss a gift consultation. It’s just business.”
“The way you’re smiling indicates it’s much more than just business.” Jayne wagged a knowing finger.
“Okay,” Eden confessed, her grin spreading and giddiness flitting through her. “It could be more than business. We’ll see.”
“This totally rocks,” Ashley enthused. “Now maybe you’ll have hot sex and get your groove back.”
“Hey, hey, don’t go jumping to conclusions. I’m simply meeting him for lunch.”
Now that Ashley had expressed out loud the thoughts revolving in her head, Eden’s prudent side kicked in and a panicky fear gripped her. She wasn’t like her freewheeling, irresponsible mother. She could not have a wild affair with a stranger even if he had jumped-started her libido and her imagination with a single rakish grin. The fact that she was even considering such a thing tempted her to break the date.
Play it safe. Call him up and tell him you can’t meet him. You can do the gift consultation over the phone. No need for a face-to-face.
Ah, now there was the rub. She had been listening to her nay-saying, fussbudget voice for too long. Playing it safe hadn’t gotten her anywhere. It was way past time she took a risk, moved from her comfort zone and stepped out of the box.
“Lunch could turn into a little afternoon delight,” Ashley ribbed her.
“But I don’t know anything about this guy.”
“I do,” Jayne said, raising a hand. “He’s rumored to be an excellent lover.”
“You guys!” Eden rolled her eyes. “You’re putting the cart way before the horse.”
“And you’re just scared to take a chance.” Ashley made clucking noises and flapped her arms like a chicken. “Admit it.”
“Okay, guilty as charged. I’m scared spitless.”
“What are you afraid of?” Jayne asked.
“Oh, no,” Ashley teased, dramatically clutching her head in her hands and moaning. “Now you’ve gone and done it.”
“Done what?” Jayne glanced from Ashley to Eden.
“You’ve given an ‘in’ to her worst-case scenario voice.”
“Her what?”
Eden glared at Ashley. “Thanks a lot.”
“Go ahead,” Ashley said. “Show Jayne how neurotic you can get.”
“It’s not neurotic to project future complications based on current information.” Eden pursed out her bottom lip. “It’s merely prudent.”
“Let’s do it then,” Ashley challenged her.
“All right,” she said, deciding to play the game her impertinent assistant had invented in defense against Eden’s worrywart tendency. She had to confess, the game often worked to quell her fears when little else did. She squared off with Ashley toe-to-toe. “What if he has bad breath?”
“Then give him a Tic-Tac.”
“What
