“They look worldly and sophisticated, don’t they? And here I am, a geeky researcher.”
“Don’t sell yourself short, Nadia. You may work at a library, but twenty-to-one odds you’re the sexiest bitch ever employed by the system. On a scale of one to ten, you’re a definite twelve,” she declared loyally. “I’m not saying it because I’m your friend. I’m speaking the truth.”
“Models and actresses. I can’t compete with them. I’ve been an idiot.”
“Stop. Based on what you’ve told me, I think he’s into you. At the very least, your pink polish. And why bring you coffee?” Katie reasoned. “He didn’t have to. He could’ve met you for brunch and left it there. He also invited you to dinner tomorrow night.”
“I invited him,” Nadia replied in a rush, already scrunching her lids at the expected exclamation.
“Oh. Damn.”
She could almost feel the wince on the other end of the line.
But Katie, optimistic friend extraordinaire, rallied. “If he didn’t want to go, he’d have said no. Besides, look closer. His hands are clasped behind his back. He’s not touching a single one of those women.” After a few long heartbeats, she cleared her throat. “Do you find it odd that he’s not? Maybe he’s not into women in general.”
Dread locked Nadia’s stomach up tight. Wasn’t it just her luck to fall for a gay guy? It wasn’t as if she hadn’t many times before.
Her phone vibrated, and the screen displayed an unfamiliar number. “Someone’s trying to ring through. Can I call you right back?”
“Sure. Maybe it’s him!”
She snorted, then switched to the new call.
“Hello, Nadia.” Luc’s deep, gravelly voice greeted her, sweeping across her senses like the warmest of breezes.
Her system went on high alert, and her nipples sat up like straight-A students at the front of biology class, prepared to take notes. She closed her eyes to savor the deliciousness of her name on his lips.
“Luc! Hey.” She prayed she sounded casual and not winded from the unexpected rush of desire.
“You forgot to let me know when you arrived safely at your destination.”
“I thought you meant when I got back to the hotel after I was done.”
“You are still shopping?”
She scrunched her nose.
“Well, no. I never went,” she admitted. “I’m in my room.”
“I see.”
Was it possible to hear a man smile through the phone? The sting of embarrassment burned her skin.
“My friend and I were caught up in a phone call. I forgot all about shopping.”
“I can understand how that would happen,” he replied with a chuckle.
Left with no recourse, Nadia inhaled deeply, grasped the bull by the horns, and asked, “You knew I never intended to go, didn’t you?”
“I suspected you’d made an excuse, yes.”
Caught in the lie, she came clean. “I got the impression you were busy and ready to be gone. I didn’t want to keep you.”
“Are you worried your dishonesty upsets me?”
Dishonesty? Well, when phrased that way, her little white lie felt like the worst thing ever. She considered her feelings on the matter. The truth was never black and white. Shades of gray existed in every situation.
“No. Not really. Everyone makes up excuses now and again when the situation requires politeness.” She struggled to keep her defensiveness at bay. “Mine was a necessary lie.”
