Anything You Can Do - By Sally Berneathy Page 0,36

lost on getting that job. Morris had made a judgmental decision based on his skewed perception of the problem.

Maybe not so skewed after all. Morris was right about one thing. He and Bailey couldn't seem to get along. But that had to be her fault, not his. The other women he'd dated hadn't acted like her. They didn't argue with him every time he opened his mouth. They didn't try to win at every game or sport. They didn't have some smart answer for everything. They didn't make him feel vital and alive. They didn't have big green eyes, soft, full lips, fiery hair, a sleek body—

Austin caught himself smiling. Okay, so Bailey wasn't a typical female, and he got pretty irritated with her sometimes. Nevertheless, there was definitely an attraction. And, damn it, he knew she felt it too, in spite of her inexplicable actions after the most incredible lovemaking he'd ever experienced, actions that had kept him awake half the night trying to figure out what had gone wrong.

He flipped forward in his chair. If he was pushy, then so be it. He'd call Bailey and ask her outright what the problem was. He snatched up the phone and dialed the number for Hoskins, Grier. But when the receptionist answered, he swallowed twice then asked to speak to Gordon.

Well, that should prove Stafford Morris was wrong. He couldn't even push himself into a confrontation with Bailey.

"Busy for lunch?" he asked when Gordon answered.

The three of them at lunch, that would be a safe situation. He could work up from there.

"I'm trying to get a brief put together, so I guess I'll just have my secretary bring me a sandwich today."

Austin hesitated then laughed. "Very funny. You working on a brief? Ha ha. How about we go over to the hotel and have a leisurely lunch? I guess your prickly friend will be there too. Bailey, I mean. And that's fine. I don't have a problem with that."

"Austin, I'm not making a joke. This thing's been on my desk forever, and I need to finish it. It's time for me to get serious about my career, make something of myself. I'm thirty years old and what have I done with my life?"

Since it was unlikely somebody was holding a gun to Gordon's head to make him say those things, there must be a logical reason. "If you're worried about the merger, don't be."

"I'm not worried about the merger. Look, you've always worked this hard. It's about time I got started. Anyway, when Paula finds out her Prince Charming is not only an attorney but an unsuccessful attorney, she may not be very charmed."

The man was serious. Since Austin had been preaching to Gordon for years about buckling down, he couldn't understand the bleak feeling that settled over him, as if he'd just lost a friend.

"Good for you," he said, though his words sounded phony even to himself. "So how about a few drinks after work?"

"I'll probably be staying here late. Maybe another time. "

Austin hung up the phone, feeling suddenly alone. He drummed his fingers on his desk, shuffled a few papers, then decided to wander over to the deli at lunch and see if Bailey was there. Maybe check out a couple of the other local places if she wasn’t at the deli. An accidental meeting would work.

*~*~*

Bailey couldn't believe what she was hearing. She'd finally found Gordon in the library, taking notes from a law book. That was strange enough, but then he'd actually told her, with a straight face, that he was going to work through lunch.

Of all days for him to have a psychotic attack! She'd worn the bloody makeup to work and even received a few scattered compliments, but if Gordon wouldn't help her get within Austin's viewing range, how would she ever know if he approved? And how could she possibly be nice to the man if she couldn't get within speaking distance of him?

"I'll help you with that work later," she offered. "Let's go eat. I'm starving. And you need a break. You can't work continually. Wears your brain out."

"You're one to talk! How many times have I tried to pry you out of your office? Now it's my turn. Go away and let me concentrate."

He returned his attention to the legal tome in front of him, and Bailey moved away from the door.

"You look nice today," he called after her.

Great, she thought. I look nice today. But it's a cinch this