Free 01_The Best Gift by Irene Hannon Page A

you’re absolutely one hundred percent reliable. You don’t like change, but in our current situation that’s probably a plus. Since I know you’ll question anything I propose, I think things through even more carefully than I otherwise might. You’re very disciplined and regimented, which are good things in moderation. But if you’ll pardon one editorial comment, you might enjoy life a little more if you added a dash of spontaneity. So how did I do?”
    Blake stared at the woman across from him. She’d pretty much nailed him. And been diplomatic in the process. She’d complimented his good points, and even put a positive spin on the qualities she clearly didn’t admire.
    “Not bad,” he acknowledged grudgingly.
    “Come on, Blake, admit it. I was right on the money,” she teased. “Now it’s your turn.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Tell me how you see me.”
    “I didn’t say I wanted to play this game.”
    “Too late. I took my turn. Now it’s yours. And then I’ll tell you how close you came.”
    Blake felt cornered. But it was clear A.J. wasn’t going to let him off the hook. She’d settled into a corner of the couch, tucked her leg under her, and looked prepared to wait as long as it took for him to take his turn.
    “You aren’t…what I expected,” he hedged.
    She shook her head. “Not good enough. Try again.”
    “You’re…different.”
    “Different how?”
    He raked his fingers through his hair and jammed his other hand into the pocket of his slacks. “Look, I’m no good at this let-it-all-hang-out kind of thing.”
    She considered him for a moment. “Okay, then let me give it a try, and you can tell me if what I think you think is actually true. How’s that?”
    Did he even have a choice?
    “At first, you thought I was going to be some airhead without any business sense. The M.B.A. surprised you. And made you a little more comfortable. But you still consider me somewhat of an intruder, and you feel like I’ve invaded your turf. Although you haven’t liked the changes I’ve made, you’ve had to admit that they’ve paid off—for the most part. Which bothers you. You think I have weird taste. And I most certainly do not fit your image of the ideal woman. How’s that?”
    She was good. He’d give her that. “Close.”
    She rolled her eyes. “For a man who deals with the written word, you sure don’t communicate much. Which might be a problem if you ever do find that ideal woman.”
    He glared at her. How had the conversation suddenly taken such a personal turn? “How do you know I haven’t?” he retorted.
    “Haven’t what?”
    “Found the ideal woman.”
    She shrugged. “Just a guess.”
    Before he could respond, she made a move to stand, but for a moment she seemed to have trouble getting the leg she’d tucked under her to cooperate. When she finally got to her feet, she winced slightly and took a moment to steady herself on the back of the couch.
    Blake frowned. It wasn’t like her to be so awkward. Even though she was tall, she always moved with a lithe grace. “Is something wrong?”
    She shook her head. “No. I know better than to sit like that. It was my own fault. So, can I get you that drink now?”
    What was her own fault? That she had to struggle to stand? And why had she struggled? The question was on the tip of his tongue, but he bit it back, recalling how he’d balked when she’d gotten personal. She would have every right to do the same. After all, they were only business associates. Short-term, at that. So he let it pass.
    “A white soda, if you have it.”
    “Of course. I’ll be right back.”
    He watched as she made the short trip to the kitchen, noting that her gait didn’t seem quite normal. But she was clearly doing her best to hide it.
    Blake knew he should just put her personal problem out of his mind. He needed to worry about making it through this evening with his parents, not about A.J.’s physical difficulties. She was an independent