* * *
“So what’s the goss?” Vanessa was at her desk first thing, fishing for information. “I saw him here, talking to you. Hell, everyone saw him here talking to you! What did he say? I want to know everything!”
Jilly shrugged. Replaying her conversation with Matthew yesterday was the last thing she wanted to do right now, but if she didn’t, Vanessa would be hurt. And she also wouldn’t leave. Which would be a bad thing. Already, she could feel Janice’s disapproving eye peering this way.
“He didn’t actually say very much at all,” she said. “Just introduced himself, really. And looked at my photo of Lily.”
“So he didn’t tell you who his father is? Who’s retiring? Or whether or not he’s single?”
“Sadly, no. It was a perfectly ordinary, innocent chat. Nothing interesting to tell at all.”
Vanessa pouted. “Shame. I was looking forward to a bit of entertainment this morning. God knows nothing interesting ever happens in this place.”
Jilly inclined her head toward Janice. “The old bat is watching, you know. And she doesn’t approve. You’re going to get yourself in trouble,” she warned.
“Nah, she’s just jealous. Thinks she’s missing out on the scandalous gossip.”
“I wouldn’t mind hearing some scandalous gossip myself,” Jilly admitted. “Things are a bit dull around here. But the gossip will have to come from someone other than me, unfortunately. I’m a single mother. I don’t get up to anything scandalous these days.”
“I’ll have to take you out then, have a bit of fun! Or teach you how to flirt with Mr. Delicious a bit. You had your chance yesterday and you blew it!” Vanessa admonished. She cocked her head and looked Jilly up and down appraisingly. “You’re pretty good looking, you know. When he was standing here, chatting in your space, you should have been working it!”
Jilly didn’t have the heart to tell Vanessa she had no interest in ‘working it.’ She had no desire to attract the attentions of men. She didn’t want them. Men broke hearts. It was what they did. Her life was busy enough, and full enough, raising her daughter. Throwing a man into the mix would only complicate things.
Suddenly Vanessa straightened up and tossed her head, intentionally flicking her dark hair back over her shoulder. “He’s coming! Now’s your chance!”
The same little knot from yesterday tightened in the pit of Jilly’s belly as soft footsteps on the carpet came up behind her.
“Good morning, ladies,” Matthew rumbled in his deep voice. He was wearing a navy suit today, and it looked spectacular on him. Especially with the purple tie that stood out against the white shirt. A matching purple fabric square poked out of his jacket pocket.
“Morning,” Jilly squeaked, as Vanessa met his eye and smiled provocatively. Even to Jilly’s inexperienced eye, the flirtation was obvious.
“Jilly, can you do this photocopying for me, please? I need it done before morning tea. Janice told me you were the person to ask.”
I bet she did, Jilly’s subconscious snarked. That’s all she thinks I’m good for. But she looked up at Matthew and took the pile of papers he proffered, smiling sweetly. “Sure thing. I’ll get onto it right away.”
“Thank you. If you could bring it to my office when you’re done, I’d appreciate it.” He looked at Vanessa, then back at her, and winked. “Don’t you ladies be talking for too long,” he warned. “Janice is watching, and she’s not happy.”
Vanessa snorted. “Nobody cares what Janice thinks.”
Matthew frowned. The knot in Jilly’s belly tightened and a spark of heat shot to her core. Geez, he was handsome when he frowned! She crossed her legs under her desk, pressing her thighs tightly together. God, what was wrong with her? Why were her knickers getting damp over a man frowning?
“My uncle does,” Matthew stated. “Janice’s opinion is very important to him.”
He turned back to Jilly, a stern expression fixed to his face. “So if you could get that photocopying done for me, I’d appreciate it.” Then he turned and walked away.
Vanessa whistled softly through her teeth. “Man, he’s hot!” she gushed. “A bit on the stuffy side, though. The last thing this place needs is another stickler for the rules. Janice has got enough carrots up her ass for everybody.”
Jilly bit her lip nearly hard enough to draw blood to stifle her giggle, but she couldn’t stop her grin. “He seems nice. I like him.”
Vanessa looked at her like she had two heads then shrugged. “He’s obviously not a son, then. I wonder who his uncle is?” she mused. “Janice is the pit bull for all the partners so it could be any one of them. So many questions.” She tapped her finger against Jilly’s desk, glanced in Janice’s direction and stiffened.
Seeing Janice still peering at them over the top of her wire-rimmed glasses with her lips pursed, and keen to avoid trouble, Jilly stood up and grabbed the pile of Matthew’s photocopying, flicking through the pages, her eyes lingering on the sticky neon paper flags that told her how many copies of each he needed. It would be boring work, but easy enough, and it would keep her out of the way of Janice. She clutched the pile of papers to her chest and veered around her friend. “Best I get onto this,” she announced. “Keep the boss happy.”
The photocopying, stapling, punching, and filing as per the instructions on the neon sticky notes took her most of the morning. As she worked, she couldn’t get him out of her mind. What was it about him that attracted her? Was it the way he wore his suit so well; the way the pants hung off his narrow hips and the way his shoulders looked so huge under the jacket? Was it his eyes that seemed to pierce right into her
