"Spring. I love the way everything gets a new start, a new beginning."
"Have you ever needed a new beginning," she blurted out.
"No. I've never needed one. Not really."
"But you think I do?"
"Maybe, but you are not the person I'm thinking of." He looked down at her, and she hated seeing pity on his face. "Here is your car."
"Thank you, Dan. It's been an interesting evening."
"That bad?"
"No. You're not what I thought you'd be."
"In a good way I hope."
"Yes."
"Well let me return the compliment. You are not how I thought you'd be either."
"Listen, about tomorrow."
"Wait... Can I say one thing first."
"Sure."
She turned to face him, her back against her car. Dan moved in close, opened his mouth as if to speak, instead his lips parted and he kissed her. Lightly at first, waiting for her response. When her lips parted, moving against his, he pressed harder, his lips soft and gentle against hers, his tongue sliding along her lower lip, sending thrills through her body.
Involuntarily her hands came up and touched his chest, needing to feel the heat of his body. Dan slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her against him, allowing her to feel his pent up need. She wanted more, her body aching to be one with him, to make love with him. She gasped as he drew back, he smiled down at her, then whispered in her ear, "Sweet dreams, Max. I'll see you tomorrow. Don't worry, I'll be on my best behaviour."
Speechless, she watched him walk away. Taking in the firmness of his butt, and the easy way he moved. All she could ask herself was what exactly his best behaviour was, and whether she was capable of getting through an evening in his company without asking him to kiss her again.
"Oh my! What happened to you?" Robin stared at her, but it was not enough to stop Max grinning.
"Nothing." There was no way she was ready to divulge the details of last night.
"Don't give me that. You didn't sleep with him already? I thought that was just the trial run before tonight."
"No. I did not sleep with him. We had a nice time, that's all."
"I've seen your face after you've had a nice time. That is not your nice time face."
"We had fun. He was different to what I expected."
"I can see it was a good kind of different. My friend told me he was good, but not that good."
"We talked, we laughed. And we danced."
"Oh, Max, you're falling for him. Please don't tell me you're falling for him. His the hired help, not your boyfriend."
Max didn't want to hear what she knew to be the truth, she wanted to spend a day in her fantasy world first. Then tonight in his company, knowing tomorrow she would feel terrible, worse because she would have paid to be dumped in a way. "Don't worry. I'm not falling for him, it was great to get out though. To talk to a man about something other than percentages and interest."
"OK. That I can relate to. So is he going with you tonight? Did he pass the test?"
"With flying colours. A good job because we saw Phil at Brantana’s."
"Phil from work Phil. Phil, look at how gorgeous my wife is, Phil?"
"Oh yes. And Dan really stirred it up between him and his perfect wife."
"Dan? I thought his name was Drake."
"It is, or it was. I think that's just the name he uses." She knew she sounded like a breathless school girl talking about her latest crush.
Robin frowned. "Are you sure this is such a good idea?"
"Yes. Of course. After all it was your idea, and you tell me yours are always good."
"But we don't know much about him, and this is an important dinner."
"You should have thought about that before you set it up."
"I know. Now I'm thinking it was stupid."
"All your best ideas usually are. No offence. But I think we're safe with this one. What's the worst that can happen?"
"Oh I don't know, you get made to look a fool."
"I'm used to it." Max came around the kitchen to stand next to Robin. "Whatever happens, thank you for making me do this. It's shown me that I need to get out there and date. I can't live my whole life with only work as my companion."
"You won't. You'll have me."
"Great. So when we're like this at sixty do we have to admit to being lesbians?"
"God no. I intend to be still inviting men home way into my seventies."
Max wrinkled her nose. "Gross."
"Maybe that's how I'll die."
Max stuck her fingers in her ears. "Lalalala, I don't want to hear it."
"Oh, come on Max. Death by wrinkly sex."
"I am going for a shower," Max said, still with her fingers in her ears, but laughing at the thought of her and Robin still living together into their dotage. Although it wasn't so much funny, more sad. If Max didn't get a move on and find a man, that might be exactly where they would be.
***
Dressed in her sensible business suit, it was hard for Max to believe last night had actually happened. Catching a look in the mirror told her the truth. Her eyes sparkled, a smile played across her lips, and her shoes must have sprouted springs overnight.
"I'll see you later," Max called to Robin. "Will you be home? I was hoping you'd do my hair."
"Sure, I'll be back about six. Think about what I said, you know I could still go with you instead."
"I thought that idea had been buried."
"I know. I hate feeling like this might end up being a disaster.”
It Max’s turn to say, “Don’t worry, it’ll all work out.” Then she pulled the door to behind her, and set off to work, smiling all the way, like a complete idiot. Perhaps that’s what she was. Tonight she would find out.
***
It may have been her imagination, but people at work looked at her differently. Her secretary gave her a small knowing smile as she handed Max a list of appointments for the day. Max nearly asked her if something was wrong, but chickened out, deciding she didn't want to know. The office grapevine, being very active, probably meant news of her date with Dan last night travelled around already. She reminded herself never to tell Phil anything she didn't want repeated; and they said women liked to gossip.
"Can you let me know when Mr Hammond arrives, Shirley, I'll be in my office working on the Christie account."
"Sure. Do you want coffee?"
Max never had coffee this early in the morning. "Do I look like I need coffee?" she asked, no hint of sarcasm. Max wanted to run to the rest room and look at her reflection. Did she look as though she'd had a hard night? Not a good way to portray herself to clients. She always prided herself on looking fresh and enthusiastic.
"No. I didn't mean to imply that. Only Mr Turner said he saw you out last night. And you look... different, this morning."
"Did he?" Her suspicions were correct, Phil had been gossiping. "I'm fine thank you, Shirley. It's good of you to show concern, but I'm sure I'm not the only one to go on a date on a work night."
"I'm sure you're not. But it's unusual, so people talk.” Shirley’s tone implied she was desperate to ask more, but her position wasn’t one of confidante, their relationship was strictly business.
"Yes. I'm sure they do.” Max noted Shirley’s disappointment. “OK. I'm off to look at that file." With that she headed for her office, head held high, trying to behave normally, but somehow she had forgotten how that felt.
Once inside she closed the door, making her way to the sanctuary of her desk. Sitting down she switched on her computer, and logged on, ready to work. Five minutes later she found herself staring out of the window, her concentration had deserted her, unless she was thinking of how good it would feel to be next to Dan. That her mind had no trouble sticking to.
The phone buzzed, making her start guiltily. "Yes, Shirley." She listened to her secretary. "OK, send him in."
With some effort she applied herself to her work. Always proud of her professionalism, by the end of the day she wondered if Robin had been right to warn her away from a distraction like Dan. Contemplating her options, she collected her coat, and headed to Shirley's desk to pass her some papers to be filed.
"See you tonight," Shirley said.
"Yes.” A mix of dread and excitement filled her. “Are you nearly ready to leave?"
"Soon. There are a couple of letters I still need to type."
"Make sure you get home in time to get ready for tonight."
"Oh. I will, I can't wait to see your scrummy man, word is he is seriously hot. How long have you been going out? I must admit you kept it very quiet." It appeared Shirley could no longer keep her questions to herself. Had they all been gossiping about Max all day?
"Only a couple of months or so."
"I’ve never seen you look so happy, if you don’t mind me saying."
Max laughed, feeling uncomfortable. She had no idea how she was supposed to behave, or act. This was something she knew nothing about, long term relationships had passed her by. "Are you bringing a date?"
"Yes, well he's my fiancé, he's leaving work early to come with me."
"Fiancé. You kept that quiet."
"Oh. I thought you knew. There was a card from everyone, you signed it."
"I did?" She sifted through her thoughts. "Oh, yes I remember." She lied, or at least she very vaguely remembered, but not names, it had seemed so unimportant.
"We're getting married next year. What about you, or is it too early?"
"Oh much too early. We're both concentrating on work."
"Oh. What does he do?"
Damn, she had fallen into a trap, however innocent Shirley's question was, it might be one lie too far. She couldn't say escort, but what career would a man like Dan have other than entertaining women.
"He's in construction."
"Wow. Is that how you met?"
"No," she said quickly, remembering their conversation last night. Rather stupidly it was the only part of their story they had got straight in the end. "We met by the beach."
"Oh, really. Where?"
Max, looked at her watch, feeling uncomfortable with her lies. "Listen, Shirley, why don't you get home, this can wait until tomorrow. We'll catch up later."
"Oh. Sure, if you don't mind."
"No. Not at all. See you later." With a grateful sigh Max left the building, and went home. Her excitement building at the thought of seeing Dan again.
***
"So how did it go?" Robin asked.
"Fine. Phil had already told everyone about Dan. So I guess I'll have to take him with me tonight, or else everyone will think he was a one night stand."
"What opposed to a male escort? My those tongues will be wagging after this evening."
"No they won't. Everyone will get drunk, and forget all about my date."
"You wish. All of those lonely secretaries will be like bees around a honey pot if he's as good looking as you say."
"I know,” Max said miserably, reminded once more of the only reason Dan would be with her. Money.
"Hey, come on. Sorry I was so down about it this morning, you know it's only because I love you." Robin came over and gave her a hug. "I guess I'm scared you'll blame me if this goes wrong."
"I won't blame you. I'm glad you talked me into this, no matter what."
"Great. I’ll make you a snack."
"Oh, I don't think I can risk eating before I go." She placed her hand on her stomach. "I'm so nervous I think I might throw up."
"I'll make you some tea, while you run a bath. You'll feel better after that, and then I insist you eat something. You know you they won’t serve dinner until late. We don't want you passing out with hunger before."
"More like nerves."
"You'll do great. You must have had some business meeting s that were more nerve racking than this."
Max thought for a moment. "No. No I don't believe I have. Business is a completely different beast to personal stuff."
"You'll do great. Now go and run that bath."
Max did as she was told, but didn't feel much better, even when Robin bought her tea and toast. "OK, let's have a look at you," Robin said.
Max sat in front of the mirror, her damp hair hanging down around her shoulders, not a scrap of make-up on her face. Her skin looked red and blotchy from the steam in the bathroom, not a pretty sight.
"You have less than an hour to do your magic, Robin," Max said, glancing at the clock.
"No problem. Let's start on your hair, and then I can do your make up."
"I look awful," she complained.
"You won't when I've finished with you. Don't worry."
"I'm so nervous, Robin."
"What of? The whole dinner with your boss thing, or seeing Dan again?"
"Both. I'm glad these things are only once a year."
"I know, or else it would cost you a fortune hiring a man like Dan all the time."
She blew the air out of her cheeks, then sighed. "I'm going to have to do a fake break up thing aren't I?"
"Yep." Robin was drying her hair, and then styling it. Piling it on top of her head, and then letting tendrils cascade down around her shoulders. Slowly, the whole look came together. Robin transformed Max into a sexy woman. Her make up understated, but killer sexy.
"Wow. You should do make overs, you would make so many women happy."
"I always did like playing with dolls when I was a kid, something you never grow out of."
"Thank you, Robin. Now, can you help me get my dress on without ruining it?"
"Yes, sure. You have about fifteen minutes before the cab comes."
"You don't think he'll stand me up do you?"
"Honey, if he does he won't get paid, it was his idea remember, one night to see if you were compatible, then the dinner, and afters." Robin couldn't help adding that bit. "Once you're satisfied, you pay him."
"I am so glad you find it entertaining."
"Don't worry, I'm joking. You know deep down I'm actually proud of you for doing this. It takes guts to put yourself out there."
"Even with a man who is getting paid to be nice?"
"Don't sell yourself short, it sounded like you really clicked last night. I'm sure it's not that easy with every woman who employs him."