Eclipse of the Heart - By Carly Carson Page 0,25

his fingers. "You're right. That's something Ms. Lockwood would have handled."

Amanda turned. "I'll get Rosie on it."

"Wait." He paused.

She raised her eyebrows. What was the problem? It wasn't like him to hesitate over his words.

"I rarely attend such an event."

She nodded.

"Never bring a date."

She had to smile at that. "Might give a woman ideas."

He rolled his eyes. "You can't imagine."

"No," she said politely.

"In this case, however—" He started tapping again with the pen. "I thought it might be useful for you to go."

"Me?" She almost dropped her laptop. "I'm not invited."

"With me, Amanda," he snapped.

It had to be the least gracious invitation she'd ever received.

"With you?" She couldn't prevent herself from repeating the words.

"No big deal." He waved a hand. "Excellent contacts for you."

"Contacts." She managed to nod her head as if any of this made sense. Everyone attended weddings to make contacts, right?

He met her gaze. "Yes or no?"

Did she see a hint of uncertainty in the back of those gray eyes? Impossible. No one in the world had more self-possession than he did.

"Fine."

"Good." He put down the pen. "It's black tie. 8 p.m. I'll pick you up at 7."

She turned on her heel and walked out. Even if people didn't attend weddings to make connections, it was a fact that she'd still meet people. People worth meeting.

Josh was standing at Rosie's desk, booking an appointment with Logan. He turned with a smile when Amanda walked up.

"Did you survive the inquisition?" he asked cheerfully. "You look all in one piece."

"So far, his bark is worse than his bite." Amanda smiled. "Let's hope I never learn differently."

"I've been here five years. As long as you work your tail off and never screw up, he's fine to work for."

"That's reassuring." She couldn't help the wry twist to her smile.

"Hey, on another subject." Josh raised his brows. "Some of us go out for a drink on Friday after work. Care to join us?"

"Sure." She smiled. Perfect.

"You too, Rosie." Josh nodded at her.

"I'm busy," she answered, "but you all have a good time."

"Join us if you change your mind." The elevator dinged and Josh moved toward it. "Six o'clock. The Zebra Bar. Right here in the building."

Amanda nodded her acceptance.

Excellent. Josh was a perfect candidate for temporary boyfriend. Not only was he friendly and personable, she actually liked him. It was an added bonus that she'd be seeing him in the company of their co-workers. That should help to squash any rumors about her and Logan.

Rosie raised her eyebrows, and nodded at Josh's receding back. "You could do worse."

"Nice guy." Amanda leaned over to speak quietly. "But it's time to think weddings, Rosie."

"Already?" Rosie's eyes turned as round as Christmas balls.

"Already?" Amanda repeated. "What the heck do you mean?"

"You and Logan—"

Amanda's gasp was followed by a giggle. "You couldn't possibly think—" She waved back at the office she'd just left.

"I certainly could." Rosie narrowed her eyes. "I'm not blind, ya know."

"You haven't heard his lines?" Amanda lowered her voice to the deepest range she could manage. "'I don't date. I don't do relationships.'" They laughed together.

"He doesn't need those lines with me," Rosie said. "I'm certainly not his type."

"Me neither," Amanda agreed. "But a wedding might be the kind of event you don't take your hired sex buddy to, so I'm elected to be the sacrificial victim."

"I suppose that's one way of looking at it."

Amanda laughed. "It's the only way. My problem now is finding something appropriate to wear."

Rosie pursed her lips. "You need a wedding dress."

"A dress for a wedding, Rosie." Amanda shook her head. "Not a wedding dress."

Rosie grinned, unrepentant. "Just amusing myself."

Amanda sighed, repressing the thoughts Rosie's words conjured. "It's a Saturday night wedding," she said. "Black tie. I can go simple."

"Negative." Rosie thumped a hand on her desk. "You're going to go smashing."

Chapter 10

The wedding, Logan had told her, was being held at an estate in Westchester County. With Rosie's help, Amanda had found the perfect gown at a resale shop downtown. The bias cut and careful tailoring of the blue gown transformed her body into something both svelte and curvaceous. Rosie had decreed no jewelry other than earrings.

"The way that dress displays your tatas," Rosie said, "you don't want any other distractions."

Amanda clapped a hand to her chest. "It's not too revealing, is it?"

Rosie shook her head. "Suggestive, not revealing. If Logan doesn't want you for himself, he's gonna have to fight off other guys."

Amanda laughed. "You're good for my ego, anyway."

"You call me no matter what time