“Are you sure you didn’t hurt him – just a little bit? Or at the very least attempt to educate him?”
“Honestly. Apart from that one aspect, we actually got along really well,” I admitted.
“It would never work,” Max stated, flipping the lid on my laptop and waiting for it to boot up.
I didn’t say anything and surveyed my half-eaten croissant.
Christa leaned over and placed a gentle hand on my arm. “Maddy, you don’t need to be ashamed of how important your work is to you. I’m also guessing you didn’t tell him the full story?”
I frowned. “It’s not exactly first date dinner conversation to tell someone children aren’t really on your agenda. God, why do I put myself through this?”
“Mr. Exotic isn’t the only guy out there. You still haven’t met John.”
I wasn’t sure if I could muster up the energy for another blind date. This was getting seriously depressing.
Christa read my expression and pushed the rest of the croissant in my direction. “Come on, he sounds promising. He’s a few years younger than us, so no divorces or kids. He’s an architect and very down-to-earth, apparently. He obviously appreciates the arts from what Scarlett has told me. Oh, and he surfs. I hear he’s very fetching in a wetsuit.”
John was one of Scarlett’s suggestions. She’d met him at a gallery when he’d dropped an impressive amount of money buying a couple of her paintings. I had to admit, he did sound like an interesting prospect.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Think about getting a new laptop,” Max suggested.
“Seriously?”
“Afraid so. The hard drive is on its way out, but this is the second time. Go out and get a newer model, it will be faster.”
What a pain. Oh well, laptops were easier to come by than men, I supposed. “Can you suggest a few?”
He closed the lid, the verdict delivered. “Sure. I’ll flick you an email with my recommendations.”
Without thinking, I turned back to Christa. “Paul has two kids.”
She stopped chewing, her blue eyes wide. I couldn’t tell if she was shocked at my announcement or the sudden change of subject.
“When did you find that out?” she asked.
“Last night, after he picked me up.”
“Hang on.” She looked confused. “You were out with Dillon last night. Weren’t you?”
“Yes, but Paul left some files in my office and he needed them for the weekend. He picked me up after dinner and we went to collect them.”
Christa resumed chewing thoughtfully.
“He’s divorced and only gets to see them every second weekend.” I wasn’t sure why I was telling her this, but last night’s conversation still lingered in my mind.
“Who’s Paul?” Max’s expression was wary. He was probably wondering whether it was smarter not to have asked.
“Maddy’s business mentor,” Christa told him. “He co-owns NTRtain Media in North Sydney. He’s helping her out with her big pitch for the banking client.”
Max raised his eyebrows. “He’s the real deal. We were considering working with them on a big website project a few years back, but the client backed out due to cost reasons. Why would you care if he has kids?”
Christa grinned at Max. “Because he’s seriously good looking, that’s why.”
Max mock-glared at her and she pouted at his expression.
“Not in a tall, dark and handsome way like you, darling.”
Max appeared satisfied with her response, then turned back to me. “Not sure it’s a good idea, since you’re working with him.”
“Who are you to talk about mixing business with pleasure, Max Spencer?” Christa put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes at him. She had a point. When Christa and Max had fallen for each other, she’d been doing some graphic design work for his company.
He held up his hands in defeat. “Alright, I’m staying out of it.” He stood, then bent down and gave Christa a quick kiss. “I’m off on my jog. I’ll catch you later.”
Once he’d left the apartment,
“Honestly. Apart from that one aspect, we actually got along really well,” I admitted.
“It would never work,” Max stated, flipping the lid on my laptop and waiting for it to boot up.
I didn’t say anything and surveyed my half-eaten croissant.
Christa leaned over and placed a gentle hand on my arm. “Maddy, you don’t need to be ashamed of how important your work is to you. I’m also guessing you didn’t tell him the full story?”
I frowned. “It’s not exactly first date dinner conversation to tell someone children aren’t really on your agenda. God, why do I put myself through this?”
“Mr. Exotic isn’t the only guy out there. You still haven’t met John.”
I wasn’t sure if I could muster up the energy for another blind date. This was getting seriously depressing.
Christa read my expression and pushed the rest of the croissant in my direction. “Come on, he sounds promising. He’s a few years younger than us, so no divorces or kids. He’s an architect and very down-to-earth, apparently. He obviously appreciates the arts from what Scarlett has told me. Oh, and he surfs. I hear he’s very fetching in a wetsuit.”
John was one of Scarlett’s suggestions. She’d met him at a gallery when he’d dropped an impressive amount of money buying a couple of her paintings. I had to admit, he did sound like an interesting prospect.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Think about getting a new laptop,” Max suggested.
“Seriously?”
“Afraid so. The hard drive is on its way out, but this is the second time. Go out and get a newer model, it will be faster.”
What a pain. Oh well, laptops were easier to come by than men, I supposed. “Can you suggest a few?”
He closed the lid, the verdict delivered. “Sure. I’ll flick you an email with my recommendations.”
Without thinking, I turned back to Christa. “Paul has two kids.”
She stopped chewing, her blue eyes wide. I couldn’t tell if she was shocked at my announcement or the sudden change of subject.
“When did you find that out?” she asked.
“Last night, after he picked me up.”
“Hang on.” She looked confused. “You were out with Dillon last night. Weren’t you?”
“Yes, but Paul left some files in my office and he needed them for the weekend. He picked me up after dinner and we went to collect them.”
Christa resumed chewing thoughtfully.
“He’s divorced and only gets to see them every second weekend.” I wasn’t sure why I was telling her this, but last night’s conversation still lingered in my mind.
“Who’s Paul?” Max’s expression was wary. He was probably wondering whether it was smarter not to have asked.
“Maddy’s business mentor,” Christa told him. “He co-owns NTRtain Media in North Sydney. He’s helping her out with her big pitch for the banking client.”
Max raised his eyebrows. “He’s the real deal. We were considering working with them on a big website project a few years back, but the client backed out due to cost reasons. Why would you care if he has kids?”
Christa grinned at Max. “Because he’s seriously good looking, that’s why.”
Max mock-glared at her and she pouted at his expression.
“Not in a tall, dark and handsome way like you, darling.”
Max appeared satisfied with her response, then turned back to me. “Not sure it’s a good idea, since you’re working with him.”
“Who are you to talk about mixing business with pleasure, Max Spencer?” Christa put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes at him. She had a point. When Christa and Max had fallen for each other, she’d been doing some graphic design work for his company.
He held up his hands in defeat. “Alright, I’m staying out of it.” He stood, then bent down and gave Christa a quick kiss. “I’m off on my jog. I’ll catch you later.”
Once he’d left the apartment,
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