Part 10 (1/2)
Sarah groaned and buried her face in her arms on top of the desk. ”He's
gorgeous.”
”But he's short, right?”
”No. He's at least six-two.”
”Dumb?”
Again, she groaned. ”Absolutely not.”
Darren forced her to sit up and look at him. ”The man is tall, gorgeous, and
smart?”
She nodded. Her a.s.sistant let out another whoop, got up from the chair, and
began doing his patented b.u.mp and grind around the desk. Sarah, as always, couldn't help but dissolve into a fit of laughter.
”Girlfriend's back!” Darren slid back into the seat. ”Sarah, honey, I am so
glad you have finally seen the light.”
Sarah put her hands on her hips and huffed. ”Oh, come on. My social life hasn't been that bad.”
Darren looked at her in such a way she had no doubts that he thought
otherwise. ”Since Bill the Bozo, Sarah, all you've dated is computer geeks and
mama's boys. I am serious.”
He was right, of course. Other than Rivka, Darren was the only person Sarah had told about William. Darren was also the only person who'd seen any of the men she'd gone out with since then.
”All those nights I helped you get ready?” He referred to the times she'd asked him to help her with her hair or makeup before a date. ”I was wasting my time and my mascara. None of those men were good enough for you.”
That sobered her. ”Don't say that. n.o.body isn't good enough for anybody.”
Despite her cryptic response, she was sure Darren knew what she meant.
William had told her she wasn't good enough. Sarah had vowed vehemently to never say the same about anyone else.
Her a.s.sistant looked chastened. ”Sorry. But it's true.”
Sarah glanced back to the pile of mail now strewn in an untidy heap across her
desk. Nothing could have put a damper on her day, but the pile of work she
had to do was a good start. She began sorting the letters.
Darren picked up a few that had slid to the floor, then took the rest from her.
”I'll do this. You have to meet with Corporate Carl in about fifteen minutes.”
”Fifteen minutes!” Sarah was aghast. She had forgotten about her planning
meeting with Carl Houser, the president of Lymen Media. He wanted to discuss where her magazines were heading, an ominous question she wasn't sure she wanted to answer. Now she only had fifteen minutes to prepare.
”Love does make a person all mush-brained.” Darren ducked out of the way before she could slap him. ”Relax, Sarah, it's only Corporate Carl. Just hike your skirt up a little and bat those pretty lashes.”
That the company president was a known lecher did nothing to extend her confidence. She still needed to come up with justification for the way her four t.i.tles were doing in the marketplace. She began digging somewhat frantically for the sheaf of notes she had prepared.
”I don't even have anything to do with his stupid planning meeting.” Sarah ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. ”It's all editorial and marketing! I'm just in charge of getting the stupid things out, for Pete's sake!”
She found the notes exactly where she'd left them. Skimming them, she was relieved to find her reports still made sense. She breathed deeply, finally allowing herself to relax.
Darren watched her solemnly. ”I've never seen you this fl.u.s.tered, Sarah. Whatever Mr. Gorgeous did to you last night must not have worn off yet.”
She cast him an evil glare. ”Darren, I'm not paying you to comment on my love life.”
He shrugged. ”No, honey, 'cause if you were--”
”I know. I couldn't afford your salary.”
Darren grinned. ”Am I going to meet this mystery man or what?”
”He'll be at Rivka's opening.” Sarah still wasn't sure she looked forward to that little s.h.i.+ndig. ”It's going to be a costume party, Darren. Want to come?”
He paused in the doorway. ”Are you kidding me? A chance to see that crazy sister of yours, meet your new boyfriend, and party hearty all in drag? I wouldn't miss it for the world, honey!”