Cinderella Substitute by Nell Dixon Page B

interrupt.
    "It's my life, Nathalie. I've a big contract lined up, the biggest we've ever had. I need to have everything in place for Monday."
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    His twin gave a snort of dismissal. "Your company is big enough, Nate. You've already proved everything you ever wanted to. You've lived and breathed nothing else since the accident. How many millions will it take to make you happy, Nate? It won't solve the real problem."
    No one else except Nathalie ever dared to talk to him like this. Even she had tiptoed around him for the last two years, frightened of saying the wrong thing.
    "What was wrong when I called you tonight?" she demanded. "You sounded like you wanted to kill me."
    Nate sighed. "It just wasn't great timing, that's all."
    "Why?" she asked. "Where were you? You weren't at home, I tried that number first."
    "I was at Jenni's," he snapped, and wished he could take the words back.
    "Jenni? Your P.A.? You didn't make that poor girl work on a Saturday night, did you?" Nathalie sounded scandalized. "I honestly don't know why she works for you. I really don't. It's not as if you appreciate all the things she does for you."
    In contrast, Nate thought he would have liked nothing better than to have spent more time appreciating Jenni.
    "Are you listening to me?" Nathalie must have continued talking during his trance.
    "It wasn't work. Well, not entirely ... I..." He groaned and decided to stop digging. His words had already made him a big enough hole. But Nathalie had been quick to pick up on his remark and the tone of her voice changed.
    "Oh..." Her voice sounded heavy with meaning. "I see, maybe you are starting to move on. In that case, I'm sorry. I 63
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    did call at a bad time." Her low husky chuckle rang in his ear.
    "You should have said something before and I would have spared you the lecture. Well, apologize to Jenni for me, won't you. She's such a nice girl, I like her. I'll call you in the week."

    * * * *
Jenni didn't sleep well. She stood in front of her bathroom mirror the next morning and toyed with the idea of leaving her new lenses in their case. But if the visiting delegation were due to arrive the next day, then she owed it to Nate to look groomed and stylish. Even if he didn't approve of her new look.
    She scurried around the flat as she caught up on a week's worth of neglected chores. A quick inventory of the contents of her fridge told her she needed to go out for groceries.
    There wasn't even enough milk for her morning coffee.
    She shrugged on the new coat that Lorna had convinced her was a bargain and grabbed her bag, ready to walk the few streets to the all day supermarket. If Nate came while she was out, he could push the file through her letterbox. Her heart fell into her shoes at the idea. It would be embarrassing seeing Nate again after last night, but the possibility that she might miss him felt even worse.
    When she rounded the corner an hour later, laden down with bags, Nate's tall muscular figure crossed the road towards her.
    "Let me help you."
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    Before she could protest, he had taken most of the carriers from her grasp and set off with long strides towards her front door. She fumbled in her pocket for her door key with her free hand.
    "I wasn't expecting you yet."
    Nate stood aside to let her open the door. He followed as she led the way up the stairs. She opened the flat door and headed for the kitchen to deposit the heavy bags.
    "Where do you want the carriers put?" He was right behind her. His proximity both excited and disturbed her in the small space.
    "Just drop them down there and have a seat. I'll put the kettle on." Time spent stowing away the shopping would provide a welcome respite from his closeness. To her annoyance he lingered in the kitchen.
    He watched while she opened and closed cupboards and drawers, knocking over and spilling the contents in her haste