Free The Pitch: City Love 2 by Belinda Williams

Paul sat back in his seat abruptly. His voice was business-like and his eyes were guarded.
    “That’s fine, Paul,” I replied, carefully. “I appreciate the compliment.”
    He nodded, then stood quickly. “Excuse me.”
    Before I could reply, he walked toward the back of the restaurant, in search of the bathrooms I was guessing.
    I inhaled a deep breath, my heart pounding. So I wasn’t imagining it. Something was going on here. Except, judging from Paul’s quick withdrawal from the conversation, he was fighting it.
    I took a long sip of my wine while questions floated through my mind in rapid succession. Was he really attracted to me? Or had it just been a compliment gone wrong, which was why he withdrew it so quickly? If he was attracted to me, was he resisting it due to some sense of professional obligation?
    And if that was the case, how did I convince him otherwise?
    *
    “He said he was awestruck by your beauty!” Cate squealed. She looked like she was about to melt on the spot.
    Scarlett held up a firm hand. “Cool it, Cate. What happened afterwards?”
    I surveyed my girlfriends. It was Sunday night and we were gathered around Christa and Cate’s coffee table sharing sushi for dinner.
    “He apologized immediately. Then he got up and went to the bathroom,” I told them.
    “After he came back?” Scarlett asked.
    “It was really awkward. We ended up talking about business for the rest of the dinner. He couldn’t get out of there fast enough.”
    “Odd,” commented Christa, as she deliberated over a choice of salmon or teriyaki chicken sushi.
    “Not odd. Exciting!” Cate corrected.
    I grimaced. “I don’t see what’s so exciting about having to spend the next month working with Paul when I’m going to be constantly questioning if he does – or doesn’t – have feelings for me. And if he does, why he refuses to do something about it.”
    “Don’t you see,” Cate continued, “he likes you, but doesn’t feel he can do anything about it.”
    “I have to agree with Cate there,” Scarlett admitted. “Assuming he likes you, he’s definitely holding back.”
    Scarlett and Cate were usually polar opposites, so this revelation was worrying.
    “Well, there’s nothing I can do about that,” I said. “I’m just going to have to prepare myself for a month of awkwardness. Fun.”
    “That’s where you’re wrong,” Scarlett said. She poured me a glass of white wine and pushed it in my direction. I had the strong sense she was trying to loosen me up for whatever was coming next. “This is where blind date number two comes in.”
    I paused mid-sip. “I don’t understand.”
    “Paul is fifteen years your senior, he’s in a position of responsibility and you’ve met in a professional setting. No matter how much he likes you, he’s not going to let anything happen.”
    “Exactly,” I agreed. “Are you telling me to forget about him and go on more blind dates? That’s not very inspiring, I’ve got to say.”
    “Not quite.” Scarlett gave us an evil grin. “We use the next blind date as bait.”
    “Good God,” muttered Christa.
    Cate and I remained speechless, too scared to talk.
    Scarlett ignored our obvious lack of enthusiasm. “I’ve already mentioned John to you. He’s the guy with the good taste who bought some of my artwork from the gallery. I’m going to convince him to wine and dine you to oblivion. Meanwhile, Paul is going to witness all of this until he can’t bear it.”
    “That doesn’t seem right,” Cate said, and I couldn’t help agreeing with her. “If Paul does have feelings for Maddy, it seems cruel. And what about John? He might develop feelings for Maddy and get hurt too.”
    “I’m going to be upfront with John,” Scarlett told us.
    “Excuse me?” I finally managed.
    “He’ll know the situation,” Scarlett reiterated, “so he won’t be disappointed.”
    “Then what’s in it for him?” I asked carefully. I hoped Scarlett didn’t have any plans