Читать книгу Cover Girl - Nic Tatano - Страница 12

“For such a smart guy, sometimes you can be a complete idiot.”

Alex furrowed his brow as he took off his necktie and looked at Juliette. “What’d I do?”

“You failed to tell her you didn’t have a girlfriend.”

“I just told you I did, or were you acting like a man and not listening? Her assistant asked me about you and I said that you and I are platonic friends.”

Juliette shook her head as she rolled her eyes. “Duh-uh! That still doesn’t tell her you’re available. Just because you aren’t dating me doesn’t mean you aren’t dating one of the other four million women in this city.”

“Oh. Right.”

“Alas, the light bulb goes on.”

“You know how nervous I get around women I’m interested in.”

“Well, luckily you’ll be spending lots of time with her, so you need to clear that up.” Juliette pointed at her mouth. “Read my lips and repeat after me. I’m not dating anyone.”

“I’m not dating anyone.”

“I can’t HEAR you!”

“Okay, okay, I get the point. But how do I do that without being so obvious?”

“Since I cannot trust you to take care of a simple task, why don’t you call your agent and have her do it? She told you she knows the editor very well.”

Gretch folded her arms as she stood in front of Keira’s desk. “I don’t know why you continue to doubt your assistant. You should know by now that my romantic radar is always spot-on.”

Keira leaned back in her chair. “Fine, you were right about the blonde. Thank you for clearing that part up.”

“See, you got all frazzled for nothing. Now aren’t you glad I sent you home to dress up?”

“Yeah, but he still might be attached.”

“I’m betting no.”

“And to what do we owe this bit of intuition?”

Gretch took a seat across from her. “The way he looked at you. I could tell he wants you. I caught him checking out your legs.”

“He could be one of those guys who wants anything in a skirt. If you’d worn your quarter jeans instead of something dowdy we might know the answer to that question.”

“My what?”

“Those lacquered-on jeans you have. If you put a quarter in the back pocket I could tell if it’s heads or tails.”

“Very funny. Fine, I’ll sleaze it up the next time he’s in, stick my boobs in his face and I’ll bet he doesn’t even notice. Perhaps you noticed he didn’t pay much attention to the rest of our staff that was dressed in the Miley Cyrus spring collection.”

“Well, anyway, I can’t exactly ask him out on a date. I mean, how would that look?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot to look at your calendar and see that it’s 1850. I guess you’ll have to wait for the Sadie Hawkins dance and you can invite him to the hoe-down.”

“Stop it, Gretch.”

“Hey, I’m trying to help things along here. I’ve got it… how about doing it the back-door way? Work late with him and then, you know, sort of invite him to continue things over dinner since you’re on a roll or something. Then it’s not really a date, but you’re in a more casual one-on-one setting than you would be in the office.”

Keira shrugged. “I don’t know…”

“Good God! For such a kick-ass editor you really amaze me.”

“What?”

“You take no prisoners at work and act like one when it comes to real men. Have you forgotten how the women in Rose’s books always took charge romantically? And that’s how the heroine in this new book acts as well?”

Keira said nothing, knowing Gretch was right.

“Trust me, Keira, it’ll work. Get him out of the office and let him see you with your hair down a bit.”

“We already had breakfast out of the office.”

“Big friggin’ deal. No one ever got laid after pancakes. Things are different at night. It might not be an official date but it will have the same effect. Finish up the work over appetizers and then you’ve got the rest of the dinner to get to know each other better.”

“But all this might be a waste of time if he’s already got someone.”

“Well, you’ve gotta eat dinner anyway, may as well do it with Alexander. You need to take a shot either way. Even if he is dating someone else he might like you better. And looking at your face, I can tell you’re a bit smitten with the guy.”

“Fine, I’m smitten. But I’ve never asked a guy out before. Or even tried your ‘back-door’ method.”

“Good God, Keira, you’re not asking him to marry you. You just want to find out if he’s available.”

“So, oh great and wise dating oracle, how do I do it without asking him out? What’s in that dating database you keep in your head?”

“The Book of Gretch suggests the use of a matchmaker.” She pointed at the phone. “Why don’t you let Bella find out for you? She’s not apprehensive about asking anyone anything. She makes me look shy.”

Bella Farentino’s phone buzzed at one minute past nine. “Yes?”

“Two calls,” said Rachel. “Keira Madison on line one, Alex Bauer on two.”

“Tell Alex to hold for a minute and I’ll pick up on Keira.”

“Got it.”

She punched a button that connected the first line. “Hi Keira, how you doin’ this morning?”

“Very good, Bella, you?”

“Not in my body yet. Ask me around noon. So how’d your day with Alex… Alexander go?”

“Gave him the nickle tour and went over some notes for the author about my suggested edits, along with a few ideas. He’ll be back this afternoon and we’re going to get started.”

“Think you’ll be okay working with him?”

“Sure, Bella. Speaking of which… I was wondering if you might do me a favor.”

Her phone buzzed, the automatic reminder she had another person on hold. “Hang on a minute, Keira.”

“Sure.”

She punched line two. “Hi, Alex.”

“Hi, Bella, how are you this morning?”

“Fine. How’d things go yesterday?”

“Very well. She gave me the tour, I met most of the staff. We discussed a few changes and we’re gonna start when I go back today.”

“Sounds like you’re off and running.”

“Yep. Listen, I wonder if I could ask you a favor?”

“Everyone wants favors today. But sure. Waddaya need?”

“Well, I hate to even ask, but—”

The phone buzzed again. “Hang on, Alex, be right back.”

She punched Keira’s line. “Sorry to be playing call-juggling with you. I’ve got an important client on the other line.”

“Not a problem, Bella. I know how busy your days are.”

“So, what’s the favor and what’s it gonna cost me?”

“It’s not gonna cost you anything, but I was hoping to make use of your wonderful Sicilian information-gathering service.”

“I can’t get anybody whacked, if you wanna take out your CEO. Though I might do it as a public service since we all hate the tight ass.”

She heard Keira laugh. “No, not that. But I wouldn’t complain if he went away.”

Bella heard the editor exhale deeply. “Just spit it out, Keira.”

“Geez, this is going to sound so unprofessional and I cannot believe I’m doing this, but Gretch is making me.”

“Oh, this oughta be good.”

“I was wondering if you could find out if Alexander is dating anyone.”

Buzz. “Hang on a minute, Keira.” She switched lines. “I’m back, Alex, what’s your favor and make it quick.”

“Can you, in some casual, backdoor way, let Keira know that I’m unattached?”

“Seriously?”

“Sorry, Bella, I know that’s not in your job description.”

“Why don’t you just ask her out yourself?”

“Well, I get the feeling she’s interested, but thinks I’m dating someone. I think if she knew I was available she’d send clearer signals that she’s receptive to a date.”

“Lemme get this straight. You were a network reporter and you’re afraid to ask a girl out? How the hell did you ever interview women?”

“The microphone and camera gave me license to do it. Otherwise I could never approach women I didn’t know.”

Un-believable.

Buzz.

“Fine. Hang on, Alex.” Bella put him on hold, held out the phone and looked at it, shook her head, and said, “Do I look like friggin’ match-dot-com?” She switched lines. “So Keira, all you need to know is if he’s attached?”

“Yeah.”

“He’s not. It came up in conversation.”

“Oh. Really.”

“Yes. Really. And… he’s interested in you. That also came up. So does that make your day?”

“Yeah, very much so.”

“Fine. Look, I think he’s a little shy with women, so send him some signals, grab his ass, do whatever to let him know the feeling is mutual, capische?”

“Got it, Bella. Thanks.”

Buzz. “Later, Keira.” She switched lines. “Okay, Alex, I’ll take care of it. By the way, she’s interested.”

“Oh, really. How do you know?”

“She mentioned it when I talked with her earlier.”

“Terrific.”

“Fine. So ask the woman out. Go, have fun. And remember she’s a chocoholic. Anything else?”

“No Bella, thanks so much. Talk later.”

She ended the call and looked up as Rachel entered her office. “What?”

Rachel backed up, eyes wide. “I just came in to see if you wanted coffee.”

“Yes, sorry I snapped at you.”

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah. I think.”

“You think?”

“I also think I might be playing with fire.”

Keira looked at the lunch selection as she waited for the barista to fix her coffee. The paninis looked appealing and made the prospect of eating at her desk more bearable. Her lunch meeting with an author had just fallen through, too late to make another appointment with anyone else, and Gretch had already taken off on an errand. Besides, Ring Girl was demanding her immediate attention and Alexander was coming by at one; it was almost as if Rose was calling her from the great beyond, acting as a guardian angel, telling her to get this book out as quickly as possible.

And setting her up with her soul mate.

“Keira!”

The barista’s yell interrupted her train of thought. She raised her hand. “Right here.”

The twenty-something peroxide walking ad for body piercing handed her the large Styrofoam cup with her name on it, spelled wrong as usual. “Anything else?”

Keira pointed at the counter. “I’ll take that prosciutto and mozzarella panini.”

“Half, right?”

“No, I want the whole sandwich.”

“Skinny thing like you gonna eat it all?”

“Yep. To go, please.”

The girl frowned. “Damn, you got the last one. I was hoping it would make it through lunch so I could have it.”

“Them’s the breaks. Guess you guys need to make more of ‘em.”

The barista grabbed the sandwich, wrapped it, put it in a bag, handed it to Keira and hit a few keys on the cash register. “Eleven-forty-three.”

Keira swiped her credit card, waited a moment for approval, signed, and grabbed the receipt. “Thanks.”

She quickly turned and ran right into a very tall man. The plastic lid on the cup flew up and the coffee shot out like it was being launched, covering his shirt.

The guy screamed. “Ow! Dammit!”

“Oh my God! I’m so sorry.” Keira grabbed a stack of napkins from the counter and started to pat the guy’s previously white starched shirt and red tie, now obviously ruined beyond repair.

The guy gritted his teeth. “Sonofabitch, that’s hot.”

“Dear God, are you burned?”

“Don’t think so. But it sure woke me up.”

A young guy with ‘manager’ written on his shirt ran around the counter. “Sir, you okay?”

“I think I’ll live. Don’t worry, I won’t sue you for making hot coffee.” He looked down at his shirt and his face tightened.

“Sir, I’ll be happy to loan you one of our barista shirts and pay for the dry cleaning. Lunch is on me as well.”

“Thank you, that’s very kind.”

Keira noted the guy wasn’t mad at all, taking the whole thing in stride.

She also noted he was off-the-charts gorgeous. Maybe early thirties: thick, dark hair, Carolina-blue eyes, at least six-foot-four, maybe taller, and from the look of the wet shirt stuck to his body, a ripped torso.

Ah, the old spill coffee on the hot guy trick. Sounds like one from Gretch’s playbook.

She reached out and took his forearm. “I’m so sorry. God, I’m such a klutz. Let me make it up to you. Buy you a new shirt and tie.”

He smiled as he undid his sopping-wet tie. “That’s not necessary. Plenty more at home.” He looked at the tie, still dripping coffee. “I was tired of this one anyway.”

“Well, geez, I ruined your day. I feel like I owe you something.”

He smiled and locked eyes with her. “Tell you what, if you really feel the need to apologize…”

“Yeah?”

“I’d rather have your phone number.”

Gulp.

Her jaw hung open as his request hit her from out of the blue and sent her brain into meltdown. I’ve just given a gorgeous man a hot-coffee bath and he wants my phone number and I just met Alexander, who is interested in me and I haven’t had a date in two years and now I have to meet two guys in the same week… this isn’t fair. “Uh…whuh…”

“Cheaper than a new shirt and tie.”

“What is?”

“Your phone number.”

“Uh… yeah.”

He gestured to an empty table. “And have lunch with me? Add that to the list and we’ll call it even.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Great.”

The manager returned holding a pale-blue button-down oxford and handed it to him. “I think this should fit, it’s an extra-extra large. You can change in the back room. Follow me.”

He turned to Keira and pointed to an empty booth. “Grab that and I’ll be right back.”

“Yeah, sure.”

The guy followed the manager behind a curtain while Keira sat at a table for two in the corner, keeping her eyes locked on the curtain, which didn’t close all the way. The guy pulled off his shirt.

Gulp, again.

Oh. My. God.

He’s a real-life romance-novel cover.

She stared at his chiseled body and absentmindedly licked her lips as he changed into the barista shirt. Massive shoulders, cut pecs and a well-defined six-pack. The man was seriously ripped. He thanked the manager and shoved the curtain back. She quickly turned her head and looked out the window so he wouldn’t see her staring. He pulled out the chair and she turned to face him. “Maybe I can moonlight serving coffee and get a kickback from the men’s store across the street.”

He laughed and extended his hand across the table. “Dash Riley.”

She shook it. “Keira Madison.”

He studied her face. “I’ve seen you before, right?”

“I don’t think so.”

He shook his finger. “No, no, I never forget a face. And I’d remember one like yours.”

“Like mine?”

“Got a thing for redheads with freckles. My mom says it’s the Irish genes. Give me a minute.” His eyes widened. “Got it. I saw an article about you recently in The Post, right? You’re that publisher.”

“Editor. But yeah, that’s me. You have quite the memory.”

He turned serious. “That was a touching story about your best friend.”

She bit her lower lip, the image of Rose flashing through her mind.

His eyes locked with hers for a moment. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to—”

“It’s okay. I think of her every day. It’s gonna take a while to get over it.”

Their gaze was interrupted as the manager slid a sandwich and soda in front of him. “Here you go, sir. And I do apologize. Sometimes our baristas don’t put the coffee lids on tight enough.”

Keira laughed. “Hey, not your fault, I’m the clumsy one. You didn’t give him a latte bath.”

“You two enjoy your lunch. If you want anything else, dessert, whatever, let me know. On the house.”

Keira lowered her head and her voice. “Tell him you want tiramisu.”

Dash smiled. “I guess the lady wants tiramisu.”

“Coming right up,” said the manager, who spun on his heels and headed toward the kitchen.

Dash turned back to Keira. “So, editor. I imagine that’s a fun job.”

“Depends on the day and what you’re reading. But I love my work. Getting paid to read and discover great talent is something really special. So what do you do?”

“Political media consultant. Currently working on Senator Bradley’s re-election campaign.”

“That sounds interesting.”

“It is, though working with some politicians makes you want to take an hour-long shower at the end of the day. But Bradley’s a good guy, so I’m enjoying this election cycle.”

“Well, from what I’ve read, your candidate has a good shot.”

“As long as some unexpected shit doesn’t hit the fan.” He grabbed his sandwich and took a bite. Keira unwrapped her panini and did the same, not taking her eyes off him.

He looks so familiar…

“So, Dash, have I seen you somewhere before?”

He shrugged. “Don’t think so. I’m always behind the scenes. And I’ve never been in the paper.”

Then it hit her.

Ho. Lee. Shit.

He looks exactly like the guy on the cover of Rose Fontaine’s first novel. The Soul Mate hero was real.

And she instantly knew she’d been lying every time she made a speech at a writer’s conference.

The best men I’ve met only exist on paper.

“Excuse me, aren’t you Alex Bauer?”

Alex turned and found himself looking at a perky brunette behind him in the drug store checkout line. “That’s me.”

Her huge ice-blue eyes beamed. “I knew it.”

“I don’t usually get recognized in New York. How do you know me?”

“I just moved here from Texas. Used to watch you on Channel 4.” She extended her hand. “I’m Lauren Hale.”

He shook it and smiled. “Alex Bauer.”

“Yeah, I already figured that part out.”

“Right. So, Texas, huh? How do you like the Big Apple?”

“Love it. Never want to leave. Not wild about the cold, but I’ve gotten used to it. So what channel are you on here? I haven’t seen you on the local news.”

“I left television two years ago. I’m a writer now. Just sold my first book. It’ll be out in nine months.”

“Wow, that’s terrific. Great American Novel?”

“Don’t laugh, but it’s a romantic comedy.”

“Why would I laugh? I love a good rom-com.”

“Men don’t usually write those.”

She shrugged as she flashed a smile. “Just tells me you’re a romantic guy, and there’s a serious shortage of those around here. Actually there’s a shortage everywhere.”

The woman was beyond cute; one of those girls with a sweet, innocent face. But the body was anything but innocent. Maybe late twenties, about five-seven and seriously stacked with dangerous curves wrapped in a dress that matched her eyes, gentle curls that ended in the middle of her back, and a soft, devastating drawl. She was still locked on to him with those eyes.

“So, Lauren, what do you do?”

“Struggling actress. Which is redundant in this town.”

“Have I seen you in anything?”

“If you’ve been to Jensen’s restaurant, you’ve seen me pitch the overly pretentious specials of the day, which, I must say, I deliver like Meryl Streep in a highbrow British film. I’ve gotten great reviews on fine-dining websites.” Her statement wasn’t typical New York sarcasm, didn’t have any frustration in it. She stuck her nose in the air. “This evening our chef has prepared a delightful honey-braised free-range capon stuffed with organic barley couscous, accompanied by gently sautéed chestnuts in broth accented with a hint of coriander.”

He couldn’t help but laugh. “What exactly is that?”

“Chicken ‘n’ rice with a bowl of really weird soup.”

“Well, you make it sound delicious.”

“You should hear the fifty-word description of what amounts to chocolate cake.”

“I’ll bet. I can certainly see you as an actress.”

“Thank you. I’ve had a lot of callbacks lately, so I feel like I’m making progress. Just a matter of time.”

“Seems like you have a good attitude. I’m sure something will come along.”

“That’s what I keep telling myself. Of course in this town, a lot of your success depends on who you know, and I don’t know anyone.”

“Very true.”

She lightly touched his forearm and sent a charge through his body. “Though now I know you.”

“Next!”

The cashier’s yell made Alex turn around. He saw everyone in front of him had checked out and he was ten feet from the counter.

The plump, middle-aged cashier glared at him over half glasses. “Buddy, this ain’t e-harmony-dot-com.”

“Sorry,” said Alex, who blushed as he placed his items on the counter while Lauren followed.

Lauren put her items behind his. “So, if you’re a writer, I assume you work at home?”

“Most of the time. I also teach journalism two nights a week, but otherwise I’m pounding the keyboard.”

“So you can work whenever you want.”

“Right. Very flexible schedule.”

“Which means you’re free for lunch. Like, now.”

He turned and found her smiling at him with a look that went right into his heart. “Uh… yeah, sure.”

Her eyes beamed. “See, I knew there was a good reason to shop here.”

They clicked.

Alex hadn’t felt it in a while. A long while. And now he’d felt it twice with two women in the same week. The exponentially cute Southern gal sitting across from him seemed totally in tune. It wasn’t just that they had a lot in common. The conversation flowed easily and her tendency to play footsie with the cuffs of his slacks sent a definite message. Sweet and innocent girl next door, well… maybe.

Alex knew what Juliette would say: “Two women? You? Ha!”

His cell on the table clicked with a text just as he took his last bite of dessert, lighting up with Juliette’s face. Lauren took a look and her eyes went wide. “Wow. She’s gorgeous.”

“Excuse me a minute.” He read the text and tapped a few keys. “My roommate.”

Her face dropped. “Oh.”

Juliette’s words flashed through his brain. “For such a smart guy, sometimes you can be a complete idiot.”

Clear it up. Now. Before yet another girl thinks you’re already off the market.

But am I, after meeting Keira?

Why do I have to meet two nice girls at the same time after a long dry spell?

Not fair.

“Juliette and I worked together at the network. We’re best friends. Strictly platonic.”

“Ah.” The smile returned. “So, Alex… what does your girlfriend think of you having a platonic friend who looks like that?” She pointed at the phone.

“Don’t have a girlfriend.”

“My, my. This day just keeps getting better and better.”