Surprise Partners. Gina Wilkins

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СКАЧАТЬ some, but not seriously, making her think it was more habit than intent on his part. She’d even felt comfortable flirting back a little although she’d never been very good at that particular art. Yet this was the first time he had asked her for a real date, even as casually worded as this invitation had been.

      Though she wasn’t the type to weave romantic fantasies for herself, she knew she’d better be very careful when it came to Scott Pearson. She hadn’t had enough experience with men like him. She simply didn’t have time, not even for a man as intriguing as Scott Pearson.

      “So who is this guy? Why haven’t you mentioned him before?”

      Lydia examined a long silver dress on a hanger, then shook her head and moved to the next selection in the boutique she and her sister were visiting. “I told you, Larissa. His name is Scott Pearson and he’s an attorney who lives in my apartment building. I haven’t known him very long, so there really hasn’t been anything to mention.”

      “An attorney?” Larissa uttered the word with a curled lip.

      “I know you don’t care for the profession, but Scott’s a very nice man. He seems quite reputable.”

      “How old is he?”

      A bit surprised by the question, Lydia looked away from the dress racks to glance at her sister. “I don’t know. I haven’t asked him. About my age, I guess. Why?”

      “I just want to know more about him. You’re being very mysterious.”

      “You’ll meet him for yourself Saturday evening. I’m really not trying to be mysterious. I just don’t know what else to tell you about him.”

      “Well, at least tell me if he’s good-looking.”

      Lydia pictured Scott very clearly—his dark auburn hair, glittering green eyes, the long, disarming slash of dimple in his left cheek when he gave her one of his slow, sexy smiles. “Yes,” she said, keeping her voice casual. “He’s very nice-looking.”

      Larissa apparently read more into Lydia’s tone than she had intended. “Really?” Her expression turned speculative.

      “I just need something appropriate to wear for the occasion,” Lydia said repressively. “I’m not trying to impress Scott particularly.”

      Larissa held up a scrap of iridescent red fabric that would cover very little more than the law required. “Why don’t you try this on?”

      “You must be joking.”

      “You could at least try it on. I bet it would look fabulous on you.”

      “I don’t think so.” Lydia held up a classically tailored black sheath. “This one’s nice.”

      Larissa curled her lip. “Bo-o-oring.”

      Sighing, Lydia shook her head. “What made me think I should accompany you on a shopping trip? We never agree on clothing.”

      As an example, she compared the outfits they had chosen for this shopping excursion. Lydia wore a navy blazer with a white shirt and khaki slacks. Larissa’s clothes were trendy, eccentric, brilliantly colorful, clashing cheerfully with her below-shoulder-length cascade of henna-red curls. Lydia knew her sister would don the revealing red gown in a heartbeat—and would look spectacular in it. She would carry it off with confidence and aplomb—whereas Lydia would be painfully self-conscious in it, trying her best to hide behind the nearest potted plant.

      “What about this?” Larissa motioned toward a beaded column dress of rich, deep blue. “It’s conservative, but not as dull as the black one.”

      Tucking a sweep of hair behind her ears, Lydia studied the gown in question. “That one’s rather nice.”

      “Try it on,” Larissa urged. “Trust me. Anything’s better than that other one.”

      Lydia sighed and returned the black sheath—which really wasn’t all that bad, she thought—to the rack. “All right. I’ll try it.”

      The salesclerk who’d been hovering discreetly nearby smiled and motioned toward the back of the store. “The dressing rooms are right this way.”

      Ten minutes later, Lydia said through the louvered dressing-room door, “No, I don’t think this will do.”

      “Let me see,” her sister demanded from the other side.

      “It’s too…tight,” Lydia fretted, frowning at the mirror. “And the slit in the skirt is too high. Maybe I should try the black one.”

      “Not until I see that one. Open the door, Lyddie.”

      Still frowning, Lydia opened the door. “See? It just doesn’t—”

      “It’s perfect,” Larissa breathed, clapping her hands in front of her.

      “It’s lovely, ma’am,” the salesclerk agreed fervently. “It fits you beautifully.”

      Lydia turned back to the mirror. “You don’t think it’s too tight?”

      “Lydia, you have a great figure. Stop hiding it. It’s not as if you’re actually showing any skin, except for a little leg when you walk.”

      “It’s a fabric that clings a little,” the clerk explained. “But it’s a wonderful style for you.”

      Lydia wavered in indecision. “You really think so?”

      Larissa and the salesclerk agreed in unison. “That lawyer’s going to see you in this dress and swallow his briefcase,” Larissa added.

      Reluctantly taken with that improbable image, Lydia reminded herself that she wasn’t particularly trying to make herself attractive for Scott. But she supposed it wouldn’t hurt to dress up a bit for the event. It wasn’t as if she had an opportunity to be glamorous very often. “I’ll take it,” she said before she could change her mind.

      Her sister and the salesclerk both smiled in satisfaction.

      Chapter Two

      Scott glanced at his watch as he approached Lydia’s door. He was pleased to note that he was right on time. He suspected that she was a woman who would appreciate punctuality.

      Remembering the way Heather had grilled him when he’d told her he was bringing a date for the evening, he smiled. She’d been openly skeptical that he had chosen someone of whom she would approve. “Promise me you aren’t bringing a stripper or a bimbo just to embarrass me,” she had demanded.

      “Would I do that?” he had asked in exasperation. And then had quickly added, “Don’t answer.”

      He defied her to find anything to criticize about Lydia McKinley. A scientist, a teacher, a doctoral candidate. A capable, intelligent, quietly attractive woman anyone would be proud to call a friend. Heather would probably decide they were perfect for each other and embarrass them both with a bunch of subtle-as-a-sledgehammer hints. But at least she would get off his back about the women she wanted to introduce him to. Maybe he could stop worrying СКАЧАТЬ