‘Jared North is such a romantic hunk.’
Two weeks ago she would have given a delighted laugh, agreed, and become a little misty-eyed herself. Now she simply smiled and said, ‘Yes, isn’t he?’
When she returned to her office she retrieved her cell-phone, checked with the management office and had it confirmed a battery had been fitted in her BMW.
It was almost six when she walked out of the office building and joined a queue waiting for a taxi.
She was tired, hungry, and felt faintly incongruous holding on to a long-stemmed rose in one hand, a bulging briefcase in the other while balancing her shoulder bag.
The sound of a car horn was just one of many, and Tasha merely cast a cursory glance at the vehicle which swooped to a halt at the kerb.
The window slid down kerb-side and the male driver leaned sideways. ‘Tasha. Hop in and I’ll give you a lift home.’
She took a closer look, recognised Damian, hesitated, gave the lengthy queue a glance, and slid into the front passenger seat. ‘Thanks.’
‘No problem.’ He shifted gears and sent the car into the stream of traffic, eased into the lane that would eventually lead to Kangaroo Point, and sent her a friendly grin as he paused at the next set of lights.
‘I’m going to stop for Chinese takeaway. What say I get enough for two and we share?’
It beat having to cook. ‘OK, but I’m buying.’
‘Will you argue if I refuse?’
‘Consider it thanks for helping out this morning.’
‘Your place or mine?’ Damian queried half an hour later as they emerged onto their floor from the lift.
Tasha effected a light shrug. ‘Doesn’t matter. Yours.’ she decided.
He unlocked the door and ushered her in to what was ostensibly a typical bachelor pad, huge TV screen, expensive stereo equipment, black leather sofa and chairs.
Damian placed the take-out sack on the dining-room table, collected two cans of beer from the refrigerator, and indicated they eat.
‘Not for me. I don’t drink.’ A new dictum, and one that would be in force for the remainder of her pregnancy.
‘Cola, soda, water?’
She settled for the latter, broke open the containers, and used chopsticks with practical dexterity.
‘So, why does a gorgeous young thing like you choose to live alone?’
Tasha shot him a direct look. ‘Is this “getting to know you” or the third degree?’
‘Both.’
‘With a view to…?’
‘Asking for a date.’ He took time to scoop up another mouthful of noodles, and swallowed them down. ‘That is, if the partner is no longer a partner.’ He tried for boyish helplessness, and failed miserably. ‘And you’d consider going out with me.’
It was time for total honesty. ‘I’m pregnant to the partner,’ she said quietly. ‘Who feels obligated to offer marriage.’
His expression was a study. ‘Got it.’
She doubted he had. ‘I hope we can still be friends.’
‘I’m good with kids. Uncle to five nephews and three nieces.’ He offered a wicked grin. ‘Dab hand with the diaper thing.’
‘Someone I can call on in a crisis.’
The grin was still in evidence. ‘Don’t see any reason why we can’t go to a movie some time, or share a take-out.’
He was nice. ‘No reason at all.’ She finished the last mouthful, and reached for the glass of water just as her cell-phone rang.
Jared. ‘Can I call you back?’ she began without preamble.
‘Of course.’
She cut the connection and slid the unit back into her bag.
‘Let me guess,’ Damian interposed. ‘The partner?’
‘You got it in one.’
‘So, should you go running back to your apartment, or can you take time for tea or coffee?’
‘Tea would be lovely.’
‘Not going to run to his bidding, huh?’ he teased. ‘I admire that in a woman.’ He rose to his feet and crossed into the kitchen, where he filled and plugged in the electric kettle.
Tasha took her time drinking the tea. Damian was easy to talk to, interesting, and pleasant company.
Consequently it was almost an hour later when she bade Damian ‘goodnight’ and crossed the hall to let herself into her apartment.
With automatic movements she dropped her briefcase, then she undid the Cellophane cylinder and deposited the rose in water. Next she turned on the television, then crossed into the bedroom, undressed, and took a leisurely shower.
Towelled dry, she pulled on a nightshirt, added a robe, then she picked up the phone and dialled Jared’s number.
‘It’s unnecessary for you to ring me every day,’ Tasha said coolly when he picked up.
‘Get used to it.’ There was an edge to his voice she chose to ignore.
‘You have no right—’
‘Don’t even go there,’ he warned. ‘Shall we start over, and enquire about each other’s day?’
‘You want to play polite?’
‘You want to argue?’
No, dammit, she didn’t. ‘So—how was your day?’
‘Challenging.’ It had been all of that and more. ‘And you?’
‘You mean, apart from the flat battery, an irate client?’
‘You should have called me.’
‘For what, specifically?’
‘The flat battery.’
‘Damian came to the rescue, and drove me into the city.’
‘Did he, indeed?’ Jared drawled. ‘Kind of him.’
‘We shared a Chinese take-out.’
‘Perhaps you’d care to fill me in?’
Was there an edge to his voice? She couldn’t be sure. ‘He happened to drive past while I was waiting for a taxi, so he offered me a lift, and we stopped by for take-out.’
‘Which you ate together where?’
She wasn’t sure she liked the way this was heading. ‘His apartment.’
There was a moment’s silence. ‘Would you like to run that by me again?’
She took a deep breath, then released it. ‘Not particularly.’
‘You allowed a man you’d met once, briefly, drive you into the city, willingly stepped into his car again in the evening, and you spent hours in his apartment?’
‘Dammit, Jared,’ she vented. ‘He lives across the hall from me!’
‘And that makes it all right?’
‘I owed him for helping out. Sharing a take-out meal with him was no big deal. Besides,’ she added, on a roll, ‘you have no right to dictate what I do, where I go, or who I spend time with!’
‘That’s a matter of opinion.’
Her fingers tightened until her knuckles showed white. ‘I’m going to end this conversation. Goodnight.’ She cut the connection and switched off the phone.
Damn him. How dared he?
Yet he has a point, a small voice taunted as she lay in bed on the edge of sleep.
Another thought occurred…and the possibility he might be jealous gave her momentary satisfaction.
CHAPTER SIX
THE phone rang just after eight, and Tasha checked the ID screen, saw the caller was Jared, and almost didn’t pick up.
‘I really don’t want to speak to you.’
‘Nothing to say, Tasha?’ His voice was a musing drawl, and she mentally counted to ten.
‘Don’t tempt me,’ she said darkly, and was maddened by his husky chuckle. ‘There’s a reason why you rang?’ The demand was cool and incredibly polite.
‘Monica is flying in tomorrow for a visit.’
His widowed mother. An extremely pleasant woman for whom Tasha held an affection. ‘Oh.’ Had he told her they were no longer living together?
‘I thought we’d take her out to dinner and perhaps book theatre tickets for Saturday evening. She leaves Sunday for a few days on the Coast before flying home.’
‘And if I say no?’
‘She’ll be incredibly disappointe
d at not seeing you.’
It was nothing less than the truth, and she felt truly torn. ‘Dinner,’ she agreed, compromising.
‘I’ll get back to you with details.’
So much for gaining some time and space for herself, Tasha reflected as she fought city traffic half an hour later.
It had been almost a week since she’d moved out of his apartment, yet he’d phoned every day, they’d dined out together and he’d sent flowers…red roses.
Now Monica was due in town.
Next week, who or what would it be necessitating their joint presence?
As a separation, theirs was becoming a farce.
And whose fault was that?
Tasha gained the underground car park beneath her office building, rode the lift, and became caught up with the day, only to return to her apartment that evening wondering if a ‘glowing pregnancy’ was merely a myth. General lassitude and mild nauseousness through the day had left her feeling anything but ‘glowing’.
Now all she wanted was a shower, something to eat, then she’d curl up in a chair with a good book.
She’d just settled into the chair when the phone rang, and she gave a grateful sigh on discovering it was Eloise on the line.
‘Lunch, tomorrow? One o’clock? The usual place in the Brisbane arcade? I’ll ring and book a table, shall I?’
‘Sounds good to me.’
‘How are you feeling?’
Tasha grimaced. ‘You don’t really want to know.’
‘Like that, is it?’ Eloise said cheerfully. ‘Should I ask about Jared?’
‘Don’t.’
‘Tomorrow, Tasha. Sleep well.’
That was something she had no trouble with, and she woke next morning feeling refreshed and ready to face the day. For all of five minutes, before junior began to rock and roll and she had to make a quick dash to the bathroom.
The office was harmoniously efficient with a full complement of secretarial staff. Hence a backlog of work began to show up on her desk, and she spent time checking documentation and organising appointments.
Eloise was already seated when Tasha arrived.
‘Hi, have you been waiting long?’ She leant forward and bestowed an affectionate hug before slipping into the seat opposite.
Eloise’s smile was warm. ‘I arrived early. Now, what are you going to have?’
Tasha ordered tea, then checked the menu and made her selection.
‘I didn’t want to give you the news over the phone,’ Eloise began as soon as a waitress served their food.
‘Do I get to guess, or are you going to tell me?’ she teased, for her friend was brimming over with withheld excitement.
‘Simon has been offered a position in New York. We talked about it, he’s accepted.’ She paused for breath. ‘He flies out in a fortnight, and I’ll follow two weeks after him.’
‘That’s wonderful,’ Tasha said with genuine enthusiasm. ‘I’ll miss you dreadfully.’ And knew it to be true. One had many acquaintances, but very few really good friends.
‘Hey,’ Eloise chided. ‘We’ll email each other constantly, and I’ve already told Simon I’m flying back for the birth of your babe.’
‘You’ll do that?’
‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Besides,’ she chided with mock severity, ‘that little person you’re carrying is going to be my godchild.’
‘The honour was always going to be yours.’ She glimpsed Eloise’s slight frown, and queried, ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Jared has just entered the balcony with Soleil in tow.’
Tasha felt every muscle in her body tense. ‘They’re headed this way?’
‘Looks like it.’
‘Soleil is the solicitor on Jared’s case.’ Couldn’t be a lunch break, she rationalised. Court was already back in session for the afternoon.
‘Jared has just sighted us,’ Eloise enlightened. ‘Soleil is trying hard not to look displeased.’
‘The woman is a consummate actress.’
‘Should be interesting,’ Eloise said quietly an instant before her mouth curved into a warm smile. ‘Jared, how nice to see you.’ She inclined her head towards the woman at his side. ‘Soleil.’
‘Tasha.’ His hand curved over her shoulder as he leaned down and brushed his lips to her cheek. ‘The case adjourned until tomorrow. Soleil suggested lunch on the way back to chambers.’
I just bet she did. And of all the restaurants and café’s along the mall stretch, she took a punt and chose one which, if I happened to be lunching out, I’d most likely frequent.
‘Why don’t you join us?’ Eloise suggested sweetly, blandly ignoring Tasha’s dark glance.
‘We wouldn’t want to interrupt your girl-talk,’ Soleil declared. ‘Besides, Jared and I have certain aspects of the case which require discussion.’
Tasha elected to play along. ‘Confidential, naturally.’ She deliberately scanned the room. ‘I doubt you’ll find a table. Eloise and I are just about done. You can have ours.’
‘There’s no need to hurry off,’ Jared drawled.
Was he blind to the existing undercurrents? Somehow she doubted it. However, she had no intention of watching Soleil’s attempt at one-upmanship. ‘I need to get back to the office.’ A bald-faced fabrication, but only she knew that. ‘Eloise, this is my treat.’ She stood to her feet, and, loyal ally that Eloise was, she followed suit. ‘Bye, Jared. Soleil.’
‘Just what do you think you’re doing?’ Eloise demanded sotto voce the instant they were out of earshot.
‘Removing myself from the scene before I lapsed into impoliteness.’
‘Thereby allowing Soleil to score one against you.’
‘Quite frankly, I don’t give a damn.’
‘Yes, you do.’
They entered the main thoroughfare, and Eloise gave her a quick hug. ‘Thanks for lunch. It was supposed to be my turn. Ring me.’
They turned and began walking in opposite directions, and Tasha spent the afternoon concentrating on the job in hand in the hope of dispelling an image of Jared and Soleil sharing lunch.
It was, she told herself, exactly how Jared described it. Something they’d probably done several times in the past. It didn’t mean a thing. Heavens, she’d lunched and dined with colleagues on a strictly business basis.
So why did Soleil bother her so much?
Because she’s a merciless schemer who’ll stop at nothing to get what she wants.
Someone who didn’t hesitate to press any advantage home, she determined when Amanda announced Soleil Emile was on line two.
Tasha glanced at her watch as she picked up. Four o’clock. She hadn’t wasted much time.
‘Soleil,’ she acknowledged coolly. ‘What can I do for you?’
‘Just a friendly warning. I intend to make my move now you and Jared are no longer a couple.’
‘Really?’ She tried to sound uninterested, and didn’t quite make it. ‘And you deduced that news—how?’
‘Does the how matter?’
‘What took you so long?’
‘To make a play for Jared?’ A tinkling laugh sounded down the line. ‘I do possess some scruples.’
And pigs fly, Tasha accorded in silent derision. ‘Am I supposed to wish you “good luck”?’
Soleil’s tinkling laugh sent Tasha’s blood pressure up at least ten points. ‘I make it a practice never to rely on luck.’
‘Is that it, Soleil? I have a client waiting.’ She didn’t, but Soleil wasn’t to know that.
‘I think so.’
Tasha ended the call, and resisted the temptation to throw something.
The aggravation remained as she battled traffic en route to her apartment, so much so she muttered something reprehensible when another driver cut her up.
Damian was waiting at the lift well when she parked her car, and he held the lift.
‘Wow, I hope it’s not me you’re mad at.’ He pressed the appropriate button on the instrument panel. ‘The partner?�
� he hazarded as the lift sped rapidly upward. ‘Work?’
‘Take your pick.’
‘Well, now, I have just the remedy.’ He offered her a cheeky grin as the lift slid to a halt and they emerged into the lobby. ‘Go get rid of your briefcase, change out of the corporate gear, and we’ll go grab something to eat and take in a movie.’
Why not? ‘You don’t have anything better to do?’
‘Not a thing.’ He took out his keys and inserted one into the door lock. ‘Ten minutes OK with you?’
They went in his car, had hamburgers and fries, then chose a comedy at the nearest cinema-plex.
The movie was a riot, and there had to be some truth in laughter being the best medicine, for she emerged feeling in a great mood.
Until she caught sight of an auburn-haired, green-eyed witch of a woman who saw her at the same moment and was bent on making her presence felt.
‘Well, this is a coincidence,’ Soleil all but purred as she drew level. She looked pointedly at Damian and lifted an enquiring eyebrow. ‘Aren’t you going to introduce me?’
Tasha opened her mouth, but Damian spoke first. ‘Damian. One of Tasha’s friends.’
‘Really? A business acquaintance?’
‘No.’
Soleil shifted her gaze to Tasha. ‘I must tell Jared we met.’
‘Do that, Soleil,’ Tasha encouraged, and tucked her hand through Damian’s arm. ‘You’ll excuse us?’
He caught on quick, and led the way out of the auditorium. ‘I gather she’s not one of your favourite people?’
‘How did you guess?’
‘Oh, just the fact you could cut the air with a knife, and you were on the verge of challenging pistols at dawn.’ He wriggled his eyebrows with comical amusement. ‘Little things like that.’
‘You’re good.’
‘I can do better. She has her eye on the partner?’
‘His name is Jared.’
‘I take it she doesn’t know about your pregnancy?’
‘In a word—no.’
‘Doesn’t matter.’ They reached the car, which he unlocked, and she slid into the passenger seat.
‘Within a week or two Jared is going to sweep you back into his apartment, his life, and Soleil won’t exist…if she ever did.’
‘What planet are you from?’ she teased, and he lifted his hands in the air.
The Pregnancy Proposal Page 7
