Christmas Diamonds by Devon Vaughn Archer Page A

turn into a relationship or not.
    “We’ll see what happens,” she told Virginia. “Right now, it’s all about giving my client everything he’s paying me for.”
    “You’ve already been there, done that, girlfriend. What’s more important now is what you’re willing to give the man for free.”
    Paula laughed while keeping pace. “You’re wicked, girl.” She knew that Virginia juggled men the way a circus performer did bowling pins. But that didn’t necessarily make her an expert on men and successful relationships.
    “Hey, I’m just being candid,” Virginia said unblinkingly. “You deserve a man who will wait on you hand and foot and doesn’t ask for an arm and a leg in return.”
    Paula wrinkled her nose. “Those are a lot of body parts to keep track of, girlfriend. I’d rather he focused at least part of the time on my mind—something that wasn’t the case often enough in some past relationships, as far as I was concerned.” She certainly had no problem with a man who wanted her body as much as she wanted his, as long as he still appreciated her intelligence.
    “Give the man a chance,” Virginia urged her. “Don’t assume Chase is anything like Sheldon, heaven forbid, or even Johnny, for that matter.”
    Paula would just as soon forget about her last two boyfriends. Neither had the qualities she wanted for a long-term involvement. Johnny was too unstable, and Sheldon failed to keep her interested enough. Chase certainly appeared to be cut from an entirely different cloth.
    “I’m not assuming anything,” Paula said, feeling the strainin her legs. “Chase and I are still a work in progress, much like his house. Let’s just see how things go.”
    “Sure, whatever you say,” Virginia said, rolling her eyes.
     
    Chase felt a little jittery as he waited in the restaurant’s lobby for Paula to show up. Though he’d gone out on several dates since becoming a widower, no woman had quite captured his fancy the way Paula had. Apart from a good work ethic and physical attractiveness, he liked her style. She was definitely a smart lady and candid in her thoughts. He wanted to go deeper into who she was as a person and how she got to that point. He wondered how Paula felt about moving their relationship beyond employer and client. Something—perhaps the ease with which they related to one another—told him she was as open to the possibility as he was.
    “Hello there…”
    Chase looked up and saw Paula come from behind another waiting patron. “Hi,” he said, admiring the beauty she made seem so natural. A gray skirt suit fit well on her slim frame and showed off her nice legs. The briefcase she held firmly reminded him that this was simply a business meeting.
    “Sorry I’m a bit late, but I was delayed by a prospective client,” Paula said and took a breath.
    “It’s fine.” Chase smiled at her and imagined she probably had clients lined up to take advantage of her talent. “Shall we go in?”
    She nodded. “Yes, I’m famished.”
    They sat at a window table in the corner and ordered white wine.
    “Do you come here a lot?” Chase asked curiously, gazing at Paula over the menu.
    “Only when my budget allows,” she said candidly. “I recommended it because it’s close to where we both live and quiet enough to talk without being drowned out by other patrons.”
    “Well, it was a good choice, whatever your reasons.” Chase had been there once with Rochelle and another time withMonica. Both times, he’d enjoyed himself and thought the food was great. He wondered if Paula had dinner at nice restaurants with other clients, or had he been singled out as more worthy of such an occasion? Chase found himself equally inquisitive about who she spent time with socially or otherwise.
    “Thank you.” Paula closed her menu. “I love their broiled salmon with Dijon mustard!”
    “Sounds tasty,” Chase said.
    “Believe me, it is.”
    Chase grinned. “In that case, I’ll follow your