Free Girl on the Run by Rhoda Baxter Page A

haven’t known her very long. Marsh.
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    From: James, To: Marshall
    Sounds like you ’ve got it bad . 　So, ignoring it and getting on with life isn’t an option then ? 　Assuming the answer is no, why not wait until after the partner’s meeting. Then ask her out. You’d have to keep things discreet, obviously. Set a few ground rules etc. But there’s no reason why it shouldn’t work that way . 　Jim.
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    From: Marshall, To: James
    That's a good idea. Why didn't I think of that??
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    From: James , To: Marshall
    Because this love stuff is turning your brain to cheese . 　I was like that when I first met Lou. Luckily, I was a student back then and didn't need to do much thinking . 　Jim.
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    From: James, To: Marshall
    >> It was all I could do not to kiss her last night . 　Hang on, what happened last night? Why did you fail to kiss her ? 　My secretary tells me that Jane got mugged last night. What's going on exactly ? 　Jim.
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    From: Louise, To: James, Stevie
    So, our Marsh has fallen for someone . 　Hurrah! About time too . 　From what Jim says, she sounds like a nice girl – not like that bizarre Dominique woman. What did he see in her? Yes, we must persuade him to do something about it . 　Lou.
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    From: James, To: Louise, Stevie
    Dominique was a force to be reckoned with. Once she set her sights on Marsh, the poor man didn't have a chance . 　I hate to burst your bubble ladies, but I think Marsh is right about not dating work colleagues. It would be best if he did nothing about it until AFTER the partner's meeting. He has worked very hard for this company and deserves a bit of recognition. It would be a shame to throw it away because of a girl . 　Jim.
    * * *
    Jane looked through Marsh's door. He was frowning at a patent and scribbling notes in the margins. She knocked.
    He looked up and smiled. ‘Come in. How are you feeling today?’
    ‘ I'm fine, thanks.’ She went in, but didn't sit down.
    ‘ What can I do for you?’ He looked back to his work, as though anxious to get back to it.
    Jane fidgeted with the sleeve of her blouse. ‘I wanted to thank you for everything yesterday.’
    Marsh waved her thanks away. ‘Don't worry about it. It was nothing.’
    ‘ No, it wasn't nothing. So … can I buy you dinner? To say thank you.’
    Marsh appeared taken aback. ‘You don't have to do that.’
    ‘ I'd like to.’
    He appeared to study the paperwork in front of him. ‘Um …’
    He was going to refuse, she could tell. She had been wrong about how he felt and she had been so certain. ‘It's no big deal. You don't have to.’ She started to back away.
    ‘ Oh no.’ He looked up again, his eyes flicking to the doorway behind her. He lowered his voice. ‘It's just not a good idea to mix work and fun …’
    Jane could feel that her face was bright red now. ‘Right.’
    ‘ But,’ he said quickly, ‘as you say, it's just dinner to say thank you, right?’
    Jane held her breath.
    ‘So, that sounds fine. When did you have in mind?’
    ‘ How about Friday night?’ That way, if things went really badly, they wouldn't see each other until after the weekend.
    Marsh pulled his diary towards him and leafed through. ‘Um … the week after would be better for me. How about Wednesday?’
    ‘ Sure. Next Wednesday then. Great.’
    ‘ Hang on, I'll just write it in.’ He scribbled in the book. ‘There, you're in the diary now. So it's official.’
    ‘ Well, I'd better get back to work I guess.’
    ‘ I'm looking forward to it.’ His dimple flashed.
    ‘ Me too.’
    * * *
    From: Marshall, To: James
    Jane was just in here. SHE asked ME out! She wants to buy me dinner to say thank you for helping her last night. I suggested next Wednesday. The partners meet that day, so by Wednesday night the decision will be made . 　Marsh.
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    From: James, To: Marshall
    Well done . 　I don't know how you do it. I've never been asked out by a woman. Ever . 　Jim.
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    From: Marshall, To: Stevie
    Ok , just