Anything You Can Do - By Sally Berneathy Page 0,43

divert him."

"You think Gordon's working this hard to avoid you?" Bailey asked in amazement. "You're nuts. No wonder my life is suddenly so weird. I've been taking advice from a fruitcake. Just because you had a bad experience with a slimeball, you make these sweeping assumptions. This isn't like you."

"Why? Because I've learned when to throw in the towel?"

"Just a minute ago you were on my case not to quit before the end of the race and a bunch of other drivel in that vein. Put those red toenails in your mouth, did you?" she gloated.

"I'm not as competitive as you are. I never have been."

"You didn't have to be. You just had to be you. Every guy in high school was after you."

"Well, this isn't high school. I'm thirty years old, not sixteen, and I'm not the head cheerleader anymore. I made a slight judgment error, and now it's time to retreat and go to Plan B."

"That's the Paula I know," Bailey approved. "What's Plan B?"

"Some more responses to my ad came today, and I've spent the evening making phone calls and writing letters—letters which will get mailed this time. I already have three dates for tomorrow night."

Bailey collapsed back against the pillow and raised her arms in a silent appeal. "I was right. You're nuts. Though I suppose there is safety in numbers. But do they know this is going to be a group date?"

"Don't be absurd. I have them lined up in three different lounges within walking distance, an hour apart."

Bailey frowned. "I don't think you're acting wisely."

"Fine." Paula raised one foot and inspected her scarlet toenails. "Then you know exactly how I feel about your actions."

Samantha crawled out of her nest between the pillows, looked disgustedly from one person to the other, shook herself, leaped off the bed, and stalked from the room.

Bailey and Paula exchanged glances then burst into laughter.

"Sometimes," Paula said, "I don't like your dog's attitude."

Bailey went to bed, but she lay awake for a long time, staring into the darkness, cuddling Samantha close, and fighting a losing battle to keep Austin out of her thoughts. Austin the lawyer, self-possessed and competent, Austin the athlete, muscled thighs pumping as he ran beside her, but mostly Austin the lover, naked before her, flesh sweat-damp and shimmering in the moonlight, heart throbbing beneath her hand.

She sat up, turned her pillow over, lay back on the fresh, cool side. She had to get control of her errant emotions. But Austin's image intruded again, exciting her even in his absence.

She flipped on the lamp and reached for a book, selecting a thriller, hoping that would divert her thoughts.

*~*~*

The next morning as she sat in a partners' meeting for the first time, Bailey tried to regain her former excitement over that achievement. Looking at the six men gathered around the conference room table, she reminded herself that she would be the first woman partner. That was something to be proud of.

But her victory felt oddly hollow. Surely, she told herself, this lack of enthusiasm couldn't be the result of her problems with Austin. Surely she had more control than that.

She stared at the few drops of sludge left in her cup.

Maybe a little more caffeine…

"Stafford," she said, "I'm going for more coffee before we get started here. Anyone want me to bring them some?"

Seated at the head of the table, Stafford waved his cigar at her. "Sit down. Paula's on her way with coffee and rolls."

Good, Bailey thought, settling back into the chair.

Surely caffeine and sugar would improve her mood, banish her distressing memories of the night before.

"What we're here to discuss," Stafford boomed, interrupting her thoughts, "is a merger offer from a larger firm."

That was one way to wake up, Bailey thought, accepting a copy of the offer. First you learn you're going to be a partner, then you're not sure with which firm or how far down the roll. She listened with a growing sense of horror as Stafford hit the high points, named names.

Austin Travers.

Somehow it didn't surprise her that her nemesis in one area of her life was intruding into another.

"Take a couple of minutes to skim over this. You can read it in detail later. Then tell me what you think," Stafford ordered.

A couple of quick knocks sounded on the door, and Paula squeezed in, balancing a large tray holding a pot of coffee and a huge plate of sweet rolls.

"You're a lifesaver," Bailey said as Paula set the tray in the middle