Page 11 of Reclaiming Love

Chapter 7

Melissa came out of the washroom, all made up, a touch of lipstick and her hair brushed to a sheen. She was slowly getting used to her crack-of-dawn drills, and she had to admit, her body felt tighter, firmer. Her skirts and trousers were a little looser, too. She felt more energized, and her skin glowed.

All thanks to Matt.

She was slim, but she was no stick insect. Neither did she want to be. But this business of working out was starting to pay its rewards. She liked the newer, leaner, more svelte Melissa.

“Hey, you.” Ethan had turned up to meet Nadine.

“Hey, stranger,” she greeted him in excitement. “Long time no see.”

He hung around her desk. “Nadine’s in a meeting with Michael,” Melissa explained, “she should be out soon.”

“Thanks, I’ll wait around.” Ethan glanced at her and she was reminded of how gorgeous he was all over again. She hadn’t seen him since the weekend of the marketing convention way back during the summer.

“How’re things with you?” he asked, hooking his fingers into the pockets of his somewhat fading stonewashed jeans.

“It’s always mad here; you must know that by now.” Of course he’d know, being Nadine’s boyfriend. He’d know firsthand.

Ethan laughed. “Oh, I know it. I’m glad to have her back. Her month out there dragged on too long.”

She glanced at him and smiled, as she tidied her desk stacking the pens, pencils and paper away neatly. “You missed her? I missed her more.” Melissa sat down, powered off her machine and gave him a cheeky grin. She knew this wasn’t true at all—no matter how much she’d missed Nadine being around at work, this guy plainly worshipped her.

Whatever it was that had caused Nadine to be subdued a few days ago seemed to be fixed between them because Ethan looked his usual cheerful self. He hung around her desk, looking ever cool, ever sexy in his dark blazer and white T-shirt. How did Nadine manage to concentrate at work with a guy like that to go home to each night?

“I heard it hasn’t been easy for you this month either, and you didn’t even have the luxury of going to Europe. I think you should ask your boss for a bonus.”

“She protects me from a lot of the politics around this place.” Melissa kept her voice deliberately low, in case Sandra’s hound-like ears picked up her words.

“You’re looking well—for someone who’s had a hard month at this place.” Ever the charmer, Ethan instantly put everyone at ease. He wasn’t a grimy, sleazy kind of guy, nor was he a flirt. He was easy to be around, and as gorgeous as he was, she didn’t have a secret crush on him.

If anything, she was thankful that Nadine had finally found someone who rocked her world.

Melissa brushed a lock of hair out of the way. “If you’re planning on taking her out tonight, I think Nadine could do with some bullfrogs.” The pace had been brutal lately.

“Bullfrogs?” he asked, leaning in. “They did the trick back then.” He laughed at the memory and she recalled the two of them colluding together at the company weekend away where they had gently plied Nadine with a little more alcohol than she could handle.

“I got to see a different side to her,” confessed Melissa. It had been an eye-opener. It had been the first time that Nadine had brought Ethan and he’d managed to do the impossible: he got her to relax.

“It was a fun weekend.” Ethan’s face brightened.

“I hope we can do another one next year.” Although, as an office assistant she wouldn’t be able to bring her partner the way senior management were allowed.

As things stood, she wasn’t sure she’d want Matt there. Sometimes he could make her feel inconsequential with his sarcastic remarks.

“It’s been hectic ever since she got back. Back-to-back meetings most days.” Melissa leaned in, as though speaking in secret.

“Thanks for the advice. I kind of knew,” he replied in as hushed a tone.

“Are you ready?” Matt’s stern voice cut a gash through their conversation. Melissa turned around and caught his pinched expression.

“I’m ready.” She jumped up. “She’ll be out soon,” she told Ethan.

He gave her a reassuring smile. “I’ve waited all month for her; I’m sure I can wait a little longer.”

She turned from Ethan’s happy face and stared into Matt’s miserable one. An introduction was in order, even though she felt hesitant. “Ethan, this is Matt.”

Ethan sloped off the desk and shook hands with Matt. “Nice to meet you.”

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