operate on this basis.â
âHow old-fashioned of them.â
âTrue, but theyâre the best at what they do, so itâs worth our while to go along with theirrequirements.â
âStill, it seems like a hassle for you to have to go through this procedure every time.â
âNo, not at all. It gives me a chance to see you.â He smiled. âHey, are you busy on Friday night? Would you like to go out for a drink?â
âOh.â Surprised by his words, and by the excitement that skittered across her skin at hearing them, Nicola gave him a regretful smile. âIâm sorry, I canât.â
âNo, donât say that.â He sat on the edge of her desk and leaned closer. âI havenât been able to stop thinking about you since last week.â
Her stomach leapt. She glanced through to Travisâs desk and was relieved to see it unoccupied. âIâve already made plans for Friday, Iâm afraid. Iâm going out to dinner with Lainey.â
âSaturday, then?â
âIâd love to.â
âExcellent.â
âSorry,â Travis said from the doorway.
Hayden pushed off her desk, and Nicola turned in time to see coffee slosh over the edge of a mug as Travis backed away from the door.
âHold on. Was that mine?â she said.
âYes.â
âWell, donât take it away.â
âGive me your mobile number,â Hayden said, âand Iâll call you on Saturday to make arrangements.â
She told him the number and watched him enter it into his phone.
âRoll on Saturday.â He winked as he left the office.
Travis handed her the mug, then grabbed a wad of tissues from the box on her deskand mopped at the coffee puddle. Without looking up, he said, âAre you going to date him?â
âIâm having a drink with him. Why?â
He went back to his desk, tossing the sodden tissues into his bin on the way. âNo particular reason, but he doesnât normally date women like you.â
âWomen like me?â
âSmart.â Travis hesitated. âSingle.â
âAre you trying to warn me off?â
âWouldnât presume to.â
âGood.â She shrugged. âLike I said, itâs only a drink. Now, how are you going with checking the thirty-day payment run for Kate?â
âDone.â
âGreat.â She looked down at the pile of signed cheques on her own desk. âIâll take these cheques to Lainey so they can be posted out today.â
Lainey looked up when she plonked the pile of cheques down on the reception desk.
âAll done.â Nicola paused, then said, âI have some news. Iâm going out with Hayden on Saturday.â
âOh.â Laineyâs eyes widened. âHe asked you out, on a date?â
Nicola nodded.
âAre you sure you should go out with him?â
âHeâs very good-looking.â
âOh, yes, I know that, but do you really like him?â
âI havenât had a chance to work out whether I do or not. Thatâs what a first date is all about, isnât it? Working out whether you like someone enough to want to see them again.â
âBut if you decide you donât? Wonât it be awkward for you to work together afterwards?â
âI donât see why.â Nicola shrugged. âIâd be adult about it. I assume he would too.â
âWell, be careful, wonât you? I mean, itâs not long since Greg hurt you, and I wouldnât like to see you unhappy while youâre here.â
âDonât worry about me. I know what Iâm doing. Itâs just a bit of fun.â
Chapter 9
Nicola opened the back door on Saturday morning, resigned to the knowledge that on the other side she would find Blair Morrissey. At least she was dressed this time.
âMorning!â
âSo much for your agreement.â
âWhat agreement?â
âTo