Free Mr Right for the Night by Marisa Mackle Page A

would, like, really really mind her going at all? It probably wasn’t the best thing in the world to think about.
    ‘I’d love to get it,’ Elaine’s eyes glittered with emerald eye shadow and enthusiasm. Her whole face lit up when she smiled. She really was a striking-looking woman, Anna thought. It was terrible to think her husband had just skedaddled off like that. For no reason. But there was always a reason, wasn’t there, Anna thought darkly. No wonder Elaine was throwing herself into this whole promotion lark. Like someone throwing herself off a burning ship. Women did that sometimes. Got involved in lots of different stuff. To get over men. Ridiculous, when you thought about it really. All that energy. Anna wondered what men did to get over a woman. Moved on to another one, she supposed.
    ‘I’m sure you’ve got a very good chance,’ Anna said kindly. ‘You’re so enthusiastic.’
    ‘I have very little choice,’ Elaine said, her eyes hardening, her mouth set in a straight line. ‘It’s got nothing to do with enthusiasm.’
    ‘Yes, I know, I know.’ Anna dipped her spoon into her dessert, an orangey chocolatey mousse, laden with naughty calories. ‘Listen,’ she said, eager to change the subject, ‘how about next Friday, you and me head out on the town? You know, go on the complete rip.’
    ‘Sure.’ Elaine’s face softened. Anna meant well. Always looking out for other people. It was such a pity she lacked such direction in her own life. Anna’s answer to everything could be found in a bottle of something. Or a cream cake. Still, she wouldn’t say no to a night out. They might even meet a few men! Not that she’d ever seriously consider getting involved with anyone ever again. No, she’d never ever do that again.
     
    They decided to have their after-dinner coffee somewhere else. Somewhere more sociable. As in a pub.
    ‘So, Elaine,’ Anna glanced around the pub to see if she could spot anyone interesting, ‘where do you reckon we’ll go on our night out? The Sugar Club? The River Club?’
    ‘What was that I heard about a night out?’
    Elaine looked up in surprise. The owner of the deep masculine voice stood behind Anna. Tall and well built, he exuded an unmistakable air of affluence. He had the most mischievous and merry green eyes she’d ever encountered. Anna swung around, her face turning a crimson colour. ‘Mark,’ she said, with a sharp intake of breath. Elaine laughed. It was unlike her colleague to be at a loss for words.
     
    * * *
     
    ‘Thanks for sticking up for me in there,’ Anna whispered to Elaine as they walked back to Lolta’s twenty minutes later. ‘Mark’s always slagging me and I’m sick of it.’
    ‘But what exactly did happen last weekend?’ Elaine was bursting with curiosity, ‘’Cos you sure weren’t with me.’
    ‘I went to my parents,’ Anna admitted, feeling absolutely ridiculous.
    ‘That’s hysterical,’ Elaine laughed. ‘Thank God I copped on in there and said we’d had a great night.’
    ‘Yeah cheers,’ Anna answered sheepishly.
    ‘So do you fancy him then or what?’
    ‘No!’ Anna practically barked. ‘Mark is not my type at all .’
    ‘Really? I thought a guy like that would be anyone’s type. He’s absolutely gorgeous.’
    ‘And he knows it,’ Anna was emphatic. ‘There’s nothing quite as tragic as a man who thinks he’s
    God’s gift.’
    ‘Well, let me have him then,’ Elaine pleaded.
    ‘Have him if you like,’ Anna tossed her hair defiantly over her shoulder and hoped Elaine was joking. ‘Sally won’t mind, I’m sure. She’s probably used to it by now.’
     
    Anna escaped work early for a change. It had been a busy day with endless boxes of the Spring Collection being delivered and deposited any old way in the stockroom.
    She left the store just after six and started the fortyminute walk home. In the evening it was quicker to walk than to bus it. The rain had abated and dangerous pools of water lurked