Toni’s Blog

When the phone rang I was just pouring my second glass of wine.  The few days I’d taken off from the rat race had relaxed me and given me time to think.  As the phone jangled incessantly I sighed.  All good things must come to an end.  As they had with Jeff.

Just remembering his name threatened to bring on another bout of depression so I answered the phone quickly.

“Hi, Caroline.”  My secretary’s voice sounded bright and far too cheerful.  “Sorry to bother you at home, but it’s an emergency.”

“It usually is,” I commented drily.

“It’s the Beauty Scene account,” Jenny went on.  “There’s a dispute over the proofs and we need you to give them the okay.  Would you mind if I sent them over for you to see?  We need a decision fast.”

I groaned inwardly.  It was an important account and I’d worked hard to get it.

“Yes, you’d better, Jenny,” I said.  “I want this to be right.  Isn’t Nick Patterson working on the final layouts?”

A picture of Nick came into my mind and on impulse I told Jenny to get him to bring them over himself.

“It’ll save time in the long run,” I explained.  “If there are any changes I’ll be able to discuss them with him first hand.”

As I put the phone down my hand was trembling.  You’re being ridiculous, I told myself and picked up the glass of wine.  Yet was I?  Nick was a gorgeous hunk of male with sexy eyes and a very sensual mouth.

Since he’d joined the Ad Agency two months ago it had been hard to ignore the girlie talk that went on about him.  I knew at least two secretaries who’d have willingly wrestled in mud for a date with him.  And Jenny was one of them!

There was more to Nick Patterson than his looks though.  He was kind, thoughtful and had a gentleness about him that for me counted a lot more than his sexiness.  It had been Nick who’d found me hastily drying my tears the day Jeff had rung to tell me it was over between us.

“It probably won’t help right now,” Nick had said quietly.  “But I think he’s a fool.”

The words, the tone of voice, and the sincerity in Nick’s eyes had reached some deep need inside me.  For a moment I felt really close to him, and as I’d cried against his broad strong shoulder I honestly thought he felt the same.  Oh, yes, I’d listened to the girls discussing his merits often enough, but it wasn’t until then I finally admitted he had the same effect on me…

As I hurriedly changed into smart linen trousers and a silk shirt I tried to find an excuse for insisting he bring the proofs himself.  There was absolutely no need where work was concerned. Then I went hot as I realised the need was in me.

In fact since the incident with Nick in my office I’d hardly been able to get him out of my mind.  It had hurt having Jeff tell me he couldn’t compete with my career any longer…that he wanted more from our relationship than I was obviously prepared to give. Yet the pain had eased considerably with the warmth of Nick’s arms around me, and the hard muscular feel of his body pressed against mine.

I freshened my make-up and brushed my long brown hair until it shone.  When I’d finished I stared in the mirror trying to see myself as Nick saw me.  My complexion was still clear and I’d managed to escape too many tell-tale lines around my eyes.  Sensible eating and regular exercise had kept my body slim and fit.  A regime I was now glad I’d stuck to so carefully.

For a moment I felt slightly ridiculous.  What was I playing at.  My reflection showed a woman of 38 who’d become starry-eyes over a man of 23!

At the sound of the door bell I jumped.  With one last look in the mirror I took a deep breath and went to let Nick in.

“Sorry to drag you all the way over here, Nick,” I smiled at him.  “It’s probably a fuss over nothing.”

“I didn’t mind at all,” he said, returning my smile.  “In fact it’s nice to get out of the office.  The last few days have been hectic.”

“In that case I’m glad I wasn’t there,” I told him.  “Would you like a glass of wine?”

Nick followed me into the lounge and put the layout folder on the dining table while I went to get another glass.  When I came back the proofs were laid out ready for me to see.  I studied them carefully, hoping to find a small flaw to justify asking Nick to bring them.  In the end I shook my head.

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