“I’m sure you’re mistaken.”
“Well, look at him.”
All Ellen could see was Reed peering suspiciously at them across the crowded dance floor.
“This is too good to be true,” Ralph murmured.
“What do you mean?”
“There isn’t a woman in our department who wouldn’t give her eyeteeth to go out with Reed.”
Ellen was shocked, yet somehow unsurprised. “Oh?”
“Half the women are in love with him and he ignores them. He’s friendly, don’t get me wrong. But it’s all business. Every time a single woman gets transferred into our area it takes her a week, maybe two, to fall for Reed. The rest of us guys just stand back and shake our heads. But with Reed otherwise occupied, we might have a chance.”
“He is wonderful,” Ellen admitted, managing to keep a courteous smile on her face. What Ralph was describing sounded so much like her own feelings that she couldn’t doubt the truth of what he said.
Ralph arched his brows and studied her. “You too?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“What’s this guy got?” He sighed expressively, shaking his head. “Can we bottle it?”
“Unfortunately, I don’t think so,” Ellen responded lightly, liking Ralph more. His approach might have been a bit overpowering at first, but he was honest and compelling in his own right. “I don’t imagine you have much trouble attracting women.”
“As long as I don’t bring them around Reed, I’m fine.” A smile swept his face. “The best thing that could happen would be if he got married. I don’t suppose that’s in the offing between you two?”
He was so blithely serious that Ellen laughed. “Sorry.”
“You’re sure?”
Ralph was probably thinking of some rumor he’d heard about Danielle. “There’s another woman he’s seeing. They’ve known each other for a long time and apparently, they’re quite serious,” she explained, keeping her voice calmly detached.
“I don’t believe it,” Ralph countered, frowning. “Reed wouldn’t be tossing daggers at my back if he was involved with someone else. One thing I suspect about this guy, he’s a one-woman man.”
Ellen closed her eyes, trying to shut out the pain. She didn’t know what to believe about Reed anymore. All she could do was hold on to the moment. Wasn’t that what she’d told him earlier—that they’d have to take things day by day? She was the one who hadn’t wanted to talk about Danielle. In any case, she didn’t want to read too much into his actions. She couldn’t. She was on the brink of falling in love with him...if she hadn’t already. To allow herself to think he might feel the same way was asking for trouble. For heartbreak.
The music ended and Ralph gently let her go. “I’d better return you to Reed or he’s likely to come after me.”
“Thank you for...everything.”
“You’re welcome, Ellen.” With one hand at her waist, he steered her toward Reed.
They were within a few feet of him when Danielle suddenly appeared. She seemed to have come out of nowhere. “Reed!” She was laughing delightedly, flinging herself into his arms and kissing him intimately. “Oh, darling, you’re so right. Being together is more important than any ski trip. I’m so sorry. Will you forgive me?”
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