“Not by a long shot.” Tanya shot a dirty look at him. “To start with, you need to play hard to get. That means not answering his calls in the first ring, and certainly prioritizing your work and your life for yourself!” Tanya again nodded mutely.
“Second,” Neil’s voice continued in the same dominant tone.
“There’s more?” Tanya couldn’t hide her dismay.
“Do you always dress like this?” Neil gestured towards her, completely ignoring her reaction.
“Like this?” Tanya sounded ominous. As if to say, watch what’s coming out of your mouth next.
“Yes, like this! Like a high school girl.”
“You have some nerve to talk about my looks, Mr. Grover.” Tanya straightened as much as she could while being seated. If anything, her tone and her demeanor only seemed to amuse him more.
“Get over yourself. If you wear the same old jeans and tees around him, he’s never going to realize there’s a woman behind his best friend.”
Tanya stopped her retaliation when she realized what he’d said. “Ah! I see you get my point,” Neil stated with a smirk. “Wear dresses, skirts, show off your legs. A man likes to see what he’s getting.” If she hadn’t asked for his help, she would have thumped him for that sexist statement.
“I do hope you realize women are more than just legs,” Tanya couldn’t help snapping at him. She didn’t know whether she resented Neil for criticizing her clothing or for staring at other women’s legs.
“Certainly! I do respect them. A lot! But face it, when it comes to dating, men are always attracted to a woman’s physical attributes first.”
Tanya’s expression turned troubled. “So, now what? I go dress shopping. Will that change things?”
“Know what? Why don’t the two of us go for a shopping trip this Friday after work?”
“Shopping?” Tanya turned her horror-filled eyes at Neil. “With you?”
“Sure,” Neil shrugged. “I told you I’d help you. All this is a part of it.”
“Really?” Tanya’s voice sounded as doubtful as she looked. “You expect me to believe you know women’s clothing?” Tanya once again rolled her eyes at Neil.
“I’ve removed enough to know what men like.” Ignoring Tanya’s gasp of outrage, Neil continued. “We’re officially on this Friday. Now, go and clear the work schedule before we start your lessons.”
Tanya looked at him in amazement, before she shook her head. Praying she hadn’t made a mistake by asking the Brute for advice, Tanya got up to get on to her work.
Chapter 4
By Friday, Tanya was a bundle of nerves. She didn’t know whether she was nervous about making such drastic changes to her personality, or whether it was the prospect of shopping with Neil that was making her nerves jump. She startled when she heard her extension ring. Taking a deep breath, she uttered a cautious “Hello.”
“Are you ready?”
“I suppose so.” She could feel Neil’s smile over the phone.
“We’ll take my car. Meet me by the elevator.”
“Okay,” Her voice was barely a whisper. Tanya picked up her handbag and moved toward the elevator. She found Neil standing by the elevator doors, and moved in to the elevator without a word.
“All good?” Neil seemed to sense her unease.
“Yeah” Tanya looked down at her Manolo Blahnik silver metallic sandal, her pink toenails peeping out of the footwear.
Neil’s eyes followed her movement to her pretty feet. “You know, you more than make up for your abhorring dressing sense in your choice of footwear.” His soft murmur barely reached her ears.
Tanya jerked her eyes towards his in shock. “Pa…pardon me?” She felt her mouth go dry when she registered his words.Did he mean…? No, I’m sure not!
Neil cleared his throat. “Your footwear...feet. They have the potential to drive a man crazy.”
Tanya felt her cheeks heat in embarrassment. Thankfully, she was saved from replying by the ding of the elevator. Stepping out to the basement, both of them were aware of a weird undercurrent. When they reached his car, Neil opened the door for her and then got into the driver’s seat. He reversed the BMW neatly, wielding the steering with confidence. Tanya was mesmerized by the way his hand shifted from the stick to the steering. Realizing that she was staring at his hands, Tanya drew her eyes to the window.What the hell am I thinking? I am supposed to deck up for Ritwik, not drool at Neil.
