Page 44 of Rules of Engagement
"That sounds awesome. And it definitely raises the bar for you. How exciting," Marsali said.
"Yeah. But James tried tohireCarter?" Seriously? Was the man ever going to hit rock bottom in his underhanded dealings? Just when she thought James couldn't sink any lower, he did!
"Yeah. And no worries, Carter said no. And a bit more would be my guess."
Eliza bit her lower lip and folded her arms on the side of the tub to rest her chin on top. "What makes you say that?"
Marsali's low chuckle warned Eliza that whatever her friend was about to say? She probably wasn't going to like it.
"Lizzie, you can lie to yourself all you want, but we both know you and Carter have some serious chemistry. When you two are the in same room, you canfeelit."
"Chemistry isn't everything."
"No, but it's definitely important. Just… let yourself trust that you've learned from the past, and you'll make the right decisions in the future."
But would she? Because she'd made an awful lot of bad ones, and who was to say there weren'tmorein her future? "I… don't trust myself anymore. Not when it comes to men. I can't help it, I second-guess everything now."
"I get it. But Carter has been honest with you, right?"
"I suppose. How would I know?"
"Have you seen any red flags?"
"Other than the fact he's too pretty for his own good?"
"You can't hold that against him when he had nothing to do with it."
Maybe not. But she didn't have tolikeit. "It… scares me."
"You do realize you're beautiful, right? And besides, looks have nothing to do with cheating. Cheaters lack some very important things. Integrity and honesty. A grounded moral compass."
"I know that."
"Good. Because actions speak louder than words, and Carter has gone above andbeyondfor you, and not just with the weddings."
She closed her eyes and nodded to herself. He had. And even though it was sweet and friendly andhonorable, a part of her still waited for him to change and not for the better.
"And if that's not enough, he's gorgeous and ornery and fun, and I think he's just what you need in your life."
"I don'tneedhim." She'd made the mistake of letting James convince her she needed him and look what happened.
"Eliza—"
"No, I'm cancelling. If we do the business stuff, we'll keep it professional. Meet in his office or something."Not over candlelight.
"Absolutely not. What will it hurt to go to dinner? He's someone I'd totally set you up with to get you out of your shell, as a practice date."
"Why do you hate me?" Eliza groaned, sliding back into the tub with yet another splash.
"Hate you? Seriously?" Marsali asked.
"Yes, seriously. I don't have a 'shell,' and my schedule is insane and not about to let up anytime soon. I don't havetimeto date, and yet somehow I agreed to a dinner, which means I'm obviouslynotin my right mind."
"Silly goose, your schedule is what you let it be and completely in your control."
"Says the woman who has me planning a wedding—which has grown exponentially, by the way—in two weeks for one of her clients."
"Well, there are a few exceptions to the rule,butthat's a perfect example of why you should be dating, whether it's Carter or not. You can't work nonstop and never have any fun. Just don't lie to me and pretend you aren't drawn to Carter. I see how you look at him."
