Page 18 of Embracing Love

“He was distant and standoffish but in the meeting he still came across as someone intelligent who obviously knew a lot about the advertising business. I think he’s really busy right now; he’s juggling a lot of things, kind of like you are. He’s having to adapt, I mean, the guy has been used to running his business his way for years. They were struggling, a fledgling company until Flight acquired them and now he has to integrate his company with the larger company in San Francisco. It can’t be easy.”

“You think he’s perfect for me on account of both of us having a lot to deal with?”

Nadine giggled. “I’m saying he’s a smart, intelligent, ambitious guy and he’s really kind of gorgeous too. Tall, gorgeous head of hair, a rugged, well-worn face.”

“He’s old, you mean.”

“He’s not a fresh faced twenty something. He seems seasoned.”

“Uh-huh,” mused Tanya. She wasn’t sure if maybe Nadine had had too much wine too.

“He’s gorgeous. I’m surprised you don’t see it.”

Nadine had gleaned this all from one business meeting? The woman had a degree of astuteness that Tanya hadn’t really glimpsed until now. She knew Nadine was good, after all, she had been the first person to interview her, but Nadine had layers and for a person in senior management, it was no surprise this woman was blazing a trail fast up the ranks.

No wonder Michael wanted her to stay to the point of letting her walk away from the European relocation.

She let out a breath. Far from thinking about Gabriel and his potential as a date, she was thinking how far out of the whole career loop she had fallen. Was it that she was getting older or that life had knocked the life out of her? Her career no longer seemed as important to her.

“I don't really need someone. I’m better off single.” Said Tanya, thinking it through. She wanted to stop Nadine from nagging her about finding someone.

Nadine had turned into one of those women who were so blissfully happy with their own relationship that they couldn’t bear to see anyone else single.

Yet even as she said the words she knew that even though she was settling down and finding her way around her new life, some moments were meant to be shared with another soul. Visits to the Louvre, a walk by the Seine, an afternoon sitting by the benches around Notre Dame, one of her favorite places—all of these were moments that would have been magnified had they been shared with someone else.

“If that’s what you think.” Nadine’s voice sounded unsure, as if she was holding back from speaking her mind. “I have a meeting with Sandra now, gotta go.”

“Good luck.” Tanya hung up, lost in her own thoughts. Gabriel Valois? No way.

She’d take someone like Luc any day. A player like Luc was temporary and that meant no bonds.

A fling, short, sweet, hot, but passing.

She could do passing.

It was the real thing, the once-in-a-lifetime finding a soulmate business that she wanted to avoid.

She’d already found hers once and she was still trying to get her breath back from losing him.

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