Page 16 of It Had to be You

He could tell that he’d piqued her interest. "Do tell."

"Sydney and I grew up near each other. Same schools. Same community. And we’re both driven people.

"When I told her about the cruise and asked if she could move my schedule around, she almost hugged me. Being my assistant, she’s been there through all my relationships. She said that she

would move heaven and earth to make this work because she believes that if I can find a match, a woman brave enough to handle me on a long-term basis, then there’s hope for her."

Martina nodded, considering his words. "After we get you matched up, you have her come see me and I’ll find her someone too."

"You can tell her," he explained. "I don’t think I can handle another one of her hugs."

"Oh?"

He saw that look on her face, and tried to brace himself for the interrogation he knew was coming.

"Any feelings for the ‘assistant’ that might be romantic?"

"No. Absolutely not. We’d kill each other."

"She sounds interesting."

"She’s a great friend and I know she wants the best for me, so she’s handling things while I’m here on the cruise. I trust her with my life and my business."

Martina nodded. "Good to know."

They stood, listening to the music for a moment or two.

"Looks like your dance class from this morning was a good experience."

The first thing that popped up in his head was an image of Tatum, held gently in his arms while they danced. She’d made everything seem so simple and easy when they were practicing together that he was sure she was managing to lead him without him knowing it. The true test had been when he was dancing with Blair. He’d been able to do the steps and turn them around and complete the whole pattern, but Blair hadn’t been happy with it.

"Oh," Martina’s tone was a little worried, "is there something I should know?"

Turning to answer her, Alexander had a chance to look at their host. She sparkled from head to toe. In a word, she was stunning. And the look in her eyes told him that she was going to get down to the truth.

"The class? That was the best thing about my day." He gestured to the dance floor. "I got to meet Ben and Pearl before class and they look like they’re having the time of their life tonight."

The couple beamed at each other and Pearl’s cheeks were flushed with a pretty glow.

"And your partner?"

He was still watching Pearl gaze up at Ben with rapt attention.

"Tatum was great. I still can’t believe she got me to waltz." Alexander shook his head.

When Martina didn’t respond, he turned his head away from the dance floor and saw her looking at him, eyes slightly narrowed.

She smiled at him, but it was a strange half-smile that didn’t tell him much about her mood. "Tatum?"

Oh.

He reached up a hand and smoothed it through his hair. "Blair had to leave part of the way through the class. I wasgoing to sit out the rest of the class, but Tatum used me to demonstrate."

"Used you," Martina laughed, "did it hurt?"

The two shared a good chuckle together before he answered her. "It was tough. Having a beautiful woman let me hold her in my arms while I learned how not to trip over my own feet? It was a sacrifice."

He could have sworn that she was biting the inside of her cheek trying not to laugh.

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