Page 47 of What I'm Looking For

She ducks back down to poke me in the sternum. “You stop that right now,” she hisses. “You are a beautiful girl and a catch for any guy. Do you hear me?”

I roll my eyes. “Yes, I hear you.”

“I am serious,” she whispers. “You have got to stop second-guessing yourself. Jonathan was a complete asshole.”

I blink, a little taken aback. “Wow. I thought you were friends with him.”

“I was. Which is why I’m still so pissed off. He not only hurt you, he ruined a whole bunch of friendships.”

“This isn’t just about Jonathan. Will works with drop-dead gorgeous women.”

“Well, it’s your stoop he’s sitting on right now.”

And there lies the mystery. I’m not even as good-looking as half the women in my office, especially the secretaries with their fabulous outfits, fluffy hair and flawless makeup. Nobody notices me. Which, truth be told, is what I’ve been going for. I just want people to see me as a smart, successful colleague.

The thing is, I think meeting Will has shifted something inside me. For the first time in a good long while, I actually want to feel pretty. When he looks at me a certain way, it seems he likes what he’s seeing. Still, I don’t quite trust it. Especially when my shirt’s sticking to my back and pits and my crotch is sweaty. Nobody finds that attractive.

Alice pokes me again, gentler this time. “How many dates have you had so far?”

“Um, it’s kind of hard to say. Two and a half?”

She smiles her wicked smile. “Good enough. As long as you use protection, I say you sleep with him. Today.”

“Really?”

“Why not? I mean, he’s an actor. It’s not like you’re gonna marry the guy.” She sneaks another peek. “Does he always wear a vest? He had one on in the commercial and he’s wearing one now.”

I pop my head up briefly. “Yeah, he said it’s like his lucky charm or something.”

“That tells you everything you need to know. He’s hoping to get lucky today.” She checks on him again before grabbing my hand. “He’s not looking. Let’s go.”

“Ugh, I’m stiff already.” Pushing off the side of the car, I stagger a bit as I stand. “No disappearing on me,” I say out of the side of my mouth as we step onto the sidewalk.

“Are you kidding? I want to know what he’s doing here, too. Wait. Is that his motorcycle parked in front of your place? You didn’t tell me he had the whole bad-boy thing going on.”

“Oh my god, would you calm down? It’s just a form of transportation.”

“You’re kidding, right? Have you ever ridden behind a guy on a bike like that? Let me tell you, it gets all your parts humming.”

Before I can confess that I actually know this from recent experience, Will stands, his smile sheepish. “Surprise.”

“I thought you had rehearsal.” Alice pinches my arm and I bite back a yelp. “I mean, what a nice surprise.”

“Massive food poisoning incident. Took out the Countess of Rousillon, the Widow, Diana and Helena. So I’m free all day.”

“Wow, I’m not sure what he’s talking about, but I think it means it’s time for me to go home,” Alice whispers theatrically.

I give her a look that I hope communicatesYou. Stay. And behave.

He steps forward to shake Alice’s hand. “Hey, I’m Will.”

She unabashedly checks him out. “I’m Alice. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

He grins at her. “Hopefully not all bad.”

She nods slowly. “Yeah, some bad. But the good kind of bad.”

“Alice!” I’m rethinking keeping her here. “Don’t you have to go?”

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