Closing The Gap (Dangerous Pasts, #1) by Colleen Charles

this Trashman strategy the night of the auction.  Why didn’t you tell me about it in advance?  I would have warned you right away to keep this tall but promiscuous drink of water at arm’s length.  Chuck Adams, or no Chuck Adams.”
    Lake held the phone tight to her ear as she used her left hand to wipe the marble countertop in her master bath with a cleaning cloth.
    “Summer let me have it at the photo shoot and after her lecture, I was afraid to tell you.  I didn’t want to hear it again.  Lance, I had hard time remaining upright on the patio last night when I talked to him.  A Xanax might be necessary with the effect his presence has on my body and my sanity.  If I could only wear a blindfold, I’d be okay.”  Lake planned to conjure up a mental image of Josh with his latest supermodel each time she felt insecure.  Josh had a type and Lake didn’t fit.  She didn’t feel sophisticated enough to hold her own.  Lake didn’t possess Chicago style or a statuesque figure.  Suddenly, she felt short, dowdy and completely out of her element.  What had she gotten herself in to?  He was going to wish he’d never flown to Phoenix after ten minutes with her.
    “If he discombobulates you with his massive hotness, stare at his shoes.  Cancel that, I changed my mind.  His feet are probably huge and that’s just going to scare you.  Just don’t over-analyze everything.  Stay in the moment and try to have fun.  He’s going to be so relieved you’re not seventy five, he’ll be thrilled to have you with him.  I’m surprised you didn’t want me for hair and make-up.  What did you decide to wear?”
    “I picked some black pants and an emerald green angora sweater.  Besides, he saw me looking my best last night.  It would look ridiculous to be that made up for ice skating.  I’m praying that I don’t make an undignified fall on my butt.  For some reason, I can’t stand the thought of looking like an imbecile in front of him.  A size zero, willowy, auburn haired goddess didn’t magically appear in my mirror today.  I do have to admit, though.  After I relaxed on the patio, I found he had an easy going personality, just like Chuck.”
    “You’re gorgeous and you’ll be fine.  Maybe he’d like to change it up and date a spinner.  You’re petite, curvaceous figure makes you a perfect choice.  Call me tomorrow.  Love you.”
    “OMG, enough with the sex references.  His reputation freaks me out and I won’t be his latest one night stand.  That being said, you mean the world to me and I love you too.  I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
    After ending her call with Lance, Lake gave one final critical inspection to her reflection in the bathroom mirror.  She’d left her wavy hair curl of its own accord and highlighted her features with blush and mascara.  She lifted her hair up above her ears as she sighed and then let it fall back down her back.  She loved wearing her hair up before the scar.  Now, she didn’t want strangers asking embarrassing questions.  Lake was blessed with long and thick eyelashes so it didn’t take much to make her presentable.  Besides, does a woman truly need assistance for a possible date with disaster?
    Lake expected Josh to pick her up at 4:00 PM and the clock read 3:45 so she made her way towards the living room where the crackle of the intercom would note his arrival.  She would have to buzz him in through the security gate.  With hundreds of thousands of dollars in horse flesh on the premises, the security system didn’t allow cars through the gate without an access code.  Lake ran her palms down the front of her pants to make sure there were no wrinkles and pulled on medium heeled black leather knee high boots with silver ankle buckles that Summer had talked her into purchasing.  Summer said they had a sexy edge.  In spite of that, they were still comfortable and a wise choice as she didn’t know how much walking would be required.
    Maria rustled