Page 37 of An Irresistible Force (Vancouver Vice)

I chuckled. From the moment I’d met her, Amanda had barely let on that she even knew who I was. I wondered what other mysteries lay behind that cool exterior. Of course, she wasn’t cool right now. Besides blushing furiously, I noticed that her whole body was shaking slightly. Amanda always wriggled her foot when she was stressed.

“Did we meet when I signed that jersey for you?”

She shook her head. “Forget it, Chris. We are not doing this right now.”

“Okay. We can do it later.”

“As in never.” She glared at me across the table. But I liked this emotional version better than the usual completely in-charge woman.

Her mom shook her head. “Amanda. Manners, please.”

Gregory cleared his throat and mentioned the upcoming election for mayor. Jeannie had strong opinions on that subject, and they began a mild debate.

I looked over at Amanda, and our eyes met. Her gaze was strong and confident again. For the first time, I realized that she wasn’t unattractive. She wasn’t sexy in the normal way, but she had this clean quality to her. Like she was made out of marble, but she would always be like that: smooth, solid, and unbreakable. Someone you could count on.

My glance fell to the V of her blouse. She was more relaxed at home, and her button setting was reduced from “nun” to “normal woman.” I could still see the faint blush on her perfect skin, and a silver chain and locket under the shirt. A locket was so old-fashioned. My granny had one, with a photo of her late husband in it. Whose photo was in Amanda’s locket? I grinned. Maybe it was mine.

16

Man Crush Monday

Amanda

I’d noticedthat Chris always treated me a little differently, like he couldn’t quite figure me out. However, once he found out that I used to have a crush on him, all the brakes were off. While he batted his long eyelashes at every woman he encountered, I had escaped his attention—until now. After a few days of ridiculous interactions, I had to disillusion him.

“Good morning, Amanda. Are those new earrings? They’re very pretty.”

I touched my hand to the gold hoops that I had dug out of my jewelry box. But it was bizarre that he would notice such a tiny detail. “Oh, thanks.”

He smiled at me in an irritating way.

I cleared my throat. “I wanted to mention that my mother gets a little confused. At her age, I guess that’s not surprising.”

Chris perched on my desk. “Really? She seemed very on the ball to me. I bet she’s younger than my mom. And my mom has a better memory than I do.”

“Well, all I meant was—you can’t believe everything she says.”

“Is this about that most eligible bachelor stuff? Because that hasn’t been true for a couple of years. I got beaten out by some actor.” He grinned. Clearly losing the title didn’t bother him at all. But what sissy actor could be more virile than Chris, who had once broken his finger and not missed a shift?

“Noooo.” I lowered my voice, “I meant that stuff she said about me having a crush on you. That was totally ridiculous. I mean, maybe for two minutes, while I was thirteen or fourteen. But I didn’t want you to get the wrong idea.” It would have been more believable if I wasn’t blushing as I spoke.

Chris’s smile grew even wider. He waggled a finger at me. “Amanda. I thought we had a no-bullshit agreement between the two of us. Sure, I was surprised to find out you have a crush on me. I never would have guessed by the way you act.” He winked at me. “But I admire your good taste.”

I blew out a frustrated breath. “As I said—ifI ever had a crush on you, it was years and years ago. Before I knew you. Anyway, I’m trying to implement a new sexual harassment policy here, so really, any kind of, you know, is not necessary.” Awesome, now I was stammering as well as blushing.

He nodded with a huge smirk on his face. “It’s okay. Nancy explained to me how that policy works.”

“She did?”

“Yeah. It’s all about power. And since I’m a consultant, and I report to you and Greg—I don’t have any power. You can fire me at any time if I’m bothering you.”

I shook my head. “Well, she’s got the gist of it, but... it’s a workplace. So, no flirting.” That wasn’t in the policy at all, but I was grasping at straws here. Chris was so attractive that I needed to save me—from myself.

“I’m not flirting. I’m just a naturally friendly person.” He leaned closer to me, and I could smell the scent of his cologne, aftershave, or whatever it was. He smelled like cedar and chocolate, and I wanted to lick his skin. He lowered his voice, “Did you ever consider that it’s the way you’re reacting to me that is the problem?”

My voice was choked as I tried not to inhale any more of his masculine presence. “There is no problem.”

“Perfect. I’m good and you’re good.” Chris’s hand rose up and touched my earring, and then brushed my earlobe. “Theyarenice earrings.”

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