Drake frowned. He almost felt like punching him for that one. He’d let it pass, though, because Tyson didn’t know Meg. No-one could look her in the eye and doubt her sincerity. “She didn’t come looking for me,” he said. “I was the one who did the hunting. Well, sort of.”
Now Tyson looked even more perplexed. “Explain yourself,” he demanded.
And that was when, without giving her name, Drake described the happy coincidence where the woman he’d fallen for ten years earlier had been the one chosen to write his memoir. When he was done sharing the story he walked over to the bench against the wall and plopped down, a sudden feeling of despondence washing over him. He began to loosen the laces on his gym shoes.
“For someone who’s just reunited with the love of his life you don’t look too happy.” Tyson leaned against the treadmill and folded his arms across his chest. “What gives?”
Drake was staring at his feet, his thoughts going back to his last conversation with Meg, then he exhaled heavily. “I asked her to marry me.”
Tyson gave a start and when Drake looked up his work-out partner was staring at him as if he’d grown two heads. Maybe three. “Are you out of your flippin’ mind? Didn’t you meet her like three weeks ago?”
“Three weeks and ten years,” Drake said drily.
“Yeah, yeah. But people change, man. Do you know what she’s been up to these past ten years?”
“Don’t need to.” Drake stared into Tyson’s eyes. “What I need is to bounce something off you. She didn’t give me a yes or a no. In fact, the way she practically cut me to shreds with her eyes I think it’s a safe bet that the answer is no.” He frowned as he recalled her reaction. “You’re the expert on women. What do I do? Back off and give her some space or put on the pressure till she gives in? I blew it once before. I can’t afford to do that again.”
Tyson stared down at him. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Very.”
Tyson nodded then walked over and sat on the other end of the bench. “Then here’s what you do…”
CHAPTER SIX
Meg drew in a deep breath then let it out slowly. She picked up the leather briefcase from the seat beside her, pulled her coat tighter around her, then got out of the car. “Well, here goes,” she whispered under her breath.
This would be her first appointment with Drake since their dinner and that awkward conversation and she wasn’t looking forward to the meeting. She still couldn’t believe the man had asked her to marry him. What if he brought up the subject again? Heavens, she hoped he didn’t. If that first time had been uncomfortable then this time she’d just die from embarrassment because…she didn’t have an answer for him.
She honestly didn’t know why she was even worrying herself about it. The logical answer was no. First, he’d hurt her terribly – however unintentional – and second, there had been a ten year gap between their brief encounter and now. Who ever heard of picking up where you left off…ten years later?
Meg sighed, her head full of questions for which there were no answers. But although her mind was in total turmoil she kept her face bland. She had a job to do and she was going into Drake’s office, the perfect professional. When he saw she was all about business and nothing else he wouldn’t dare bring up that contrary topic again.
But later as she sat across from Drake to interview him on a particularly risky business venture Meg couldn’t help but wonder if she hadn’t done too good a job in projecting a no-nonsense image. If she thought she’d be cool and businesslike, Drake was even more so. He almost seemed aloof, his face not showing a flicker of emotion, his tone clipped and curt. It was as if Saturday night had never happened. Where was the man who had begged her to marry him? Well, maybe ‘begged’ was too strong a word, but he’d asked. She hadn’t dreamed the whole thing. Meg frowned. Or had she?
She shook her head, distracted and frustrated all at once, and trained her eyes and her attention back on Drake. The heat rose in her face as she saw his sardonic smile. He knew she was perturbed by his behaviour. He knew she’d expected him to continue where he’d left off. But he’d done the exact opposite.
When the hour finally came to a close she slipped her notes back into her case and zipped it shut. “Thank you,” she said, her voice as formal as she could make it. “I’ll be back next Thursday to wrap up this section.”
“Sounds good,” Drake said with a nod. “I’ll see you then.” Then he got up and walked her to the door and that was that.
Wow. Meg sat in her car and stared straight ahead, trying to figure out what had just happened. It was like she was in the presence of another man. She let out her breath slowly and started the car.
Well, so much for wanting to marry her. It was obvious that right now that idea was the farthest thing from his mind. She could just kiss that dream bye-bye.
The following week when Meg showed up at Drake’s office she was better prepared for his cool reception. She’d steeled herself to accept it but no matter how strong she thought she was it was still hard to think that he could have gotten over her so easily. As she sat in the chair in front of Drake she swallowed then took out her notepad and slid her recorder out of her bag. She frowned as she struggled to focus. Buck up, woman, this is work and nothing else. It’s what’s feeding you and Jessie right now so be happy. After that personal pep talk she forced a smile to her lips and got the interview going.
To her surprise, at the end of the session as she rose to leave Drake stopped her with an unexpected question. “How is the little princess?”
“Jessie?”
“Of course, who else?” he said with a smile.
“Oh, she’s…fine. She’s at Kids' Club right now. It’s a special art program where they learn to paint and sketch.”
Drake raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like fun.”