‘Well, don’t try to tell me you haven’t seen the bevy of beauties who flock around him.’ Keira saw her argument slipping out from under her. ‘They’re here in force tonight. And there’s nary a week goes past that the newspapers and glossies don’t feature a shot of him with a different model on his arm.’
‘You even made it one week,’ Roxie reminded her drily, and Keira glanced at her sharply. ‘So, did that picture tell a story?’ Roxie asked as Keira set her wineglass down on a nearby table.
‘You know I just happened to be standing near him when-’
‘I rest my case.’ Roxie cut in quickly. ‘How many other times have the beauties just happened to have been standing near him when?’ Roxie mimicked Keira’s words.
‘He’s my boss, Roxie.’
‘So what?’
‘You know so what. I’d hazard a guess that there are more people here tonight who think I got this job by foul means rather than fair. In fact Dianna all but spelled it out.’
‘Then she got it wrong. Anyway, everyone knows her nose is out of joint because she’s lost the best slave she’s ever had, namely you, Keira Strong. Besides, those of us who work with you haven’t got a problem about why you’re the editor. We know you deserved it.’
‘Oh, come on, Roxie. Surely you’ve heard the rumours-’
‘Rumours be damned! That’s your smokescreen. What’s the real reason you’re at such pains to pretend indifference to the man? And don’t tell me you find him unattractive or we’ll have you certified.’
‘Perhaps I haven’t got time for that sort of distraction,’ Keira began, wondering what Roxie would say if she knew she was only repeating Eden’s own suspicions.
Roxie gave a snicker. ‘Nonsense.’
‘I’ve worked hard to get where I am and I don’t want to jeopardise it by having a meaningless affair with the one person who can terminate my employment on the spot.’
‘It’s Dennis, isn’t it?’
‘Dennis?’ Keira raised her eyebrows in surprise at Roxie’s change of tack.
‘I know you had a rough time with him. Your ex-haushand was a selfish little wimp who wanted a mother, not a wife. But you can’t let that spoil your chances for a totally different relationship.’
Keira sighed. ‘I don’t deny that for a while my marriage to Dennis did colour my feelings about getting involved again. However, I’ve come to terms with all that. I’m older now and hopefully wiser.’
‘So you must know there’s no comparison between Eden Cassidy and Dennis,’ Roxie continued determinedly. ‘Dennis was spineless but there isn’t a weak bone in Eden’s body. Have you ever read anything unsavoury about the man?’
Keira shook her head tiredly.
‘That’s because he has integrity.’
‘Roxie,’ Keira appealed, feeling the beginnings of a headache. If only she could slip away. But of course she couldn’t. Not now that Eden had left. It would look far too suspicious.
‘All right. I’m sorry, Keira. I’ve probably said more than enough already. But I care about you and I don’t want to see you throw away your chance of happiness because you’re afraid to meet life head on.’
‘At the risk of provoking you into further wise counsel, Roxie, I’d just like to say I’d prefer simply to jog quietly along beside life for a while. Now, let’s get a cup of coffee before all this stress and the two glasses of wine I’ve had go to my head.’
Roxie had just left Keira to fetch the coffee when Meg, one of Keira’s receptionists, approached with an attractive young woman who looked more than a little ill at ease.
‘Have you seen Daniel?’ Meg asked and Keira shook her head.
‘Not for a while. But he shouldn’t be far away.’ She looked around but couldn’t see Eden’s nephew in the throng of people.
‘I’ll see if I can find him for you,’ Meg offered as she turned to the young girl. ‘If you’d like to stay with Keira, I won’t be long.’
Keira glanced back at the other girl questioningly.
‘I’m Cat. Cat Craigie,’ she said softly, her fingers playing nervously with the thin strap of her bag.
Keira took in Daniel’s young friend and realised she was indeed looking at a younger version of herself. Cat was almost as tall as Keira but she wore her fair hair, the same shade as Keira’s, in natural waves to her shoulders.
‘So you’re Cat! I’m Keira Strong, the editor of the magazine where Daniel works.’ Keira smiled. ‘It’s nice to meet you at last. Daniel’s told me so much about you.’
‘Oh.’ Cat looked at the floor and flushed a little. ‘I can’t imagine what he’d say.’
‘All good, I’m afraid,’ Keira laughed. ‘He admires you very much.’
‘Does he? I guess I’m pretty keen on Daniel too,’ she added softly before she looked up, catching Keira’s eye. ‘He talks a lot about you, too.’
‘All good as well, I hope.’
‘Yes. He likes you.
‘And I like him. So that makes both of us. Daniel’s pretty special.’
‘I suppose,’ Cat agreed hesitantly. ‘But it’s all so complicated.’
‘And made worse by the fact that Daniel doesn’t fit the preconceived mould.’
‘Yes. It would be so much easier if he was the stereotypical poor little rich kid.’
Keira smiled.
‘I mean, I could handle it better if he had a silver spoon stuck in his mouth. Our lifestyles are so different it scares me. Our families, well…’ She shrugged.
‘Daniel’s uncle and grandfather care about him and the same goes for your parents and you. There’s no difference when you get down to what counts.’
‘I guess so. But we don’t want any hassles that might arise because Daniel’s uncle and my father are usually on opposite sides of the negotiating table.’
‘I’d have said they respect each other and they usually settle any disputes reasonably amicably,’ Keira suggested gently.
Cat nodded and pulled a wry face.
‘Life is fraught, isn’t it?’ Keira laughed softly and Cat smiled, if somewhat reluctantly.
‘I guess Daniel’s worth it. Just don’t tell him I said that. And maybe we both enjoy the intrigue.’ She grimaced. ‘Well, some of the time.’
Just then Keira caught sight of Daniel weaving his way through the guests and she saw the beam of surprised pleasure that lit his face when he saw Cat. For a moment she thought he was going to race over and embrace the young girl but he pulled himself together and made his way nonchalantly towards them through the crowd.
‘Hi, Cat. I’m glad you decided to come along.’
‘Yes. I… It was kind of you to ask me. I’ve never been to anything like this.’ Cat’s fingers were worrying the strap of her bag again.
‘I thought you said you wouldn’t be able to make it. But I’m glad you did,’ Daniel added quickly. ‘Now you’re here, would you like to meet my uncle?’
Cat drew back a little then gave Keira a quick glance before shaking her head. ‘Well, no, Daniel. Not…’
‘You have to meet him some time, so why not now? He’s not so bad, Cat. Really,’ Daniel told her and turned to Keira for confirmation. ‘Is he, Keira?’
To her consternation Keira felt herself flush and for the life of her she couldn’t formulate an answer. What could she say anyway? That she found Eden Cassidy almost irresistibly attractive? That the moment their eyes met all her resolute good intentions flew out of the window? And that she suspected her capitulation to his devastating magnetism could become all but inevitable?
‘In fact, I’ve got this great idea,’ Daniel was continuing, unaware of her inner turmoil. ‘Keira can introduce you to Eden.’
‘Why me?’ she got out in dismay.
‘Because you can wrap him around your little finger.’
‘That’s rubbish, Daniel. I scarcely know the man,’ Keira protested, her embarrassment sharpening her tone,
