by Robyn Grady
‘We’re seeing Jezz McQade in hospital,’ he told her. ‘They okayed her for visitors an hour ago.’
‘Isn’t it kind of late?’
He frowned. ‘Jezz is as eager to get this ball rolling as I am.’ As I thought you were.
‘I only meant that visiting hours usually finish at eight, don’t they?’
‘That still gives us—’ the luminous dash clock said 7:07 ‘—maybe thirty minutes. We’ve lost enough time.’
‘You can say that again.’
Had he heard that soft scoff and mumble right? ‘I beg your pardon?’
‘Oh, nothing, nothing.’
His gaze left the multi-lane road. If he could make out her expression he’d have some clue, but in the shifting shadows of the car cabin he could only be sure she was chewing her lip. That closest dimple working double time in her cheek upped her sex-appeal factor by roughly one thousand per cent.
His fly flexed and he groaned again.
This can’t go on or I’ll be walking on three legs by the end of the night.
‘For heaven’s sake, Serena, speak up.’
Though she tried to hide it, he felt her shrink into her seat.
Terrific. Ten negative points to the jerk in the front row. She was young, inexperienced. The last thing he wanted was to crush her. Still, this wasn’t a drill. As much as she needed to be able to gauge when silence was golden, equally she should learn when to share, particularly with him. Had he been wrong about her ability and drive? Did she have the wherewithal to even see this through?
Where were those kid gloves?
‘We’re playing with big chips,’ he said as a bus full of swaying commuters hurtled past. ‘And if this is going to work, we need to keep the communication lines wide open. In our situation, there’s no room for insecurity or second-guessing each other.’
‘I know,’ she murmured. ‘I only meant…well, I’d begun to think I might have dreamt it all.’
The car peaked over a crescent and a twinkling sea of city and bridge lights swam into view. ‘Dreamt what? The promotion?’ Remembering her exuberant reaction, he smiled. ‘That was no dream.’
‘Actually, I thought maybe you’d changed your mind.’
He corrected the wheel after he cut her a glance and the car jerked left. ‘You thought what?’
Uncrossing her legs, she rubbed anxious palms up and down the silky fabric resting on her thighs. Nice thighs, he’d wager. Probably even nicer than those calves. Those toes…
Argh. Distance, damn it!
‘When you didn’t call,’ she said, ‘I thought you might have changed your mind. The only time you saw me, you…’
Imagining her lips pressed together, he lowered his brow. ‘Communication lines, Serena, remember?’
She sighed, then rushed it out. ‘You ignored me.’
He barked out a laugh. ‘I didn’t ignore you. I simply told you not to hang around—’ He paused.
Which did sound rather ambiguous, come to think of it.
But he’d fix that now. Lead by example. No mix-ups or mixed messages, calm and clear, then everyone knew where they stood and no one’s expectations could be let down. Not hers and definitely not his.
‘Forget I spoke.’ She chewed a nail. ‘I shouldn’t have said anything.’
His eyes cut back to the road. ‘The last thing I want, the very last thing we need, are misunderstandings.’
Out the corner of his eye, he saw her hand leave her mouth. ‘I agree.’
‘I should have caught up with you sooner. But I meant what I said. I’m relying on you to help pull us through this sticky patch. Nothing’s changed since yesterday.’ This situation would work—it had to. A thought from left field struck. ‘Did you bring a notepad?’
‘I always carry one.’
He indicated and took an inner-city street not far from the hospital. ‘Well, then, hang onto your hat, because…’ for better or worse ‘…this ride’s about to begin.’
CHAPTER THREE
SERENA enjoyed the delicious shiver that tripped up her spine, not only at David’s words, but also his bone-melting smile.
In hindsight it had been ridiculous to think that a professional like David would drop her with no good reason. He wasn’t the sort to make snap decisions, and she was resilient, motivated, tenacious, proving herself more with every step, even tiny ones. When would she stop beating up on herself?
She gazed out the window as a stream of boutique fronts, displaying summer fashion, flickered by.
Growing up, how she’d envied girls who didn’t worry about wearing bikinis, or sitting exams, or talking to boys…kissing boys, sometimes going further. Whenever the lights went down at parties, instead of cuddling up, she would always sneak out. No matter how she tried to overcome it, to even think of kissing made her blush all over.
The next day her girlfriends would swap stories and dream about their future Prince Charmings—what he’d looked like, where he’d live, what he’d be. Serena had never had a clear picture, but as David swung the car into the hospital entrance and parked, an accurate image formed in her mind.
He’d be dark-haired, commanding, serious but with a dash of rogue. A man who would support her decisions, but never stifle her. Who took from her what he wanted, and made her helpless but to want it all the time.
All that was such a long way off. Still…
Breaking off her sidelong glance at his profile, Serena smiled.
She could dream, couldn’t she?
When they entered a hospital lift, David struck a button and stepped back, holding his clasped hands in front.
‘More than anything, this will be a getting-to-know-you meeting,’ he said. ‘We’ll discuss some of the ideas Jezz might have on the campaign’s direction since we last spoke. Then she and I need to sort out a few logistics.’
‘Sounds good.’ Mind back on work, she followed when David strode out between parting metallic doors. ‘I’ll take lots of notes.’
He stopped and let her catch up. ‘Did you remember to bring a pencil to go with that book?’
When his lips twitched, she relaxed. ‘Several, thank you very much.’
They fell into step before he asked more seriously, ‘You take shorthand?’
Her stomach flipped and tongue grew thick in the mouth as she fibbed. Longhand had been difficult to master. ‘Not very recently.’
They passed a gallery of outback landscape prints and followed the signs to the ward. ‘You learnt it at school then?’ he asked. ‘Or were you into all the creative subjects, like your drama class?’
‘I left my drama days behind in my mid-teens. In university I took business subjects, but not shorthand.’
‘I doubt it’s too popular any more.’
Two nurses padded by in their white soft-soled shoes as Serena thought about it. ‘Guess it was different in your day.’
‘Oh, in my day,’ he said, ‘pigeons were the preferred mode of sending and receiving messages. Those stone tablets were just too darn heavy to lug to the post office.’
She laughed, then realized her insult. ‘Sorry, I only meant—’
A grin captured the corner of his mouth as he stopped and planted his feet to peer down at her. ‘Want some simple advice?’
She shrugged. ‘Absolutely.’ Anything and everything he had to offer.
‘Unless there’s something to apologize for, don’t say sorry.’
His gaze brushed her face—the line of her cheek—before he set off walking again. A flurry of sensations danced over the fine hairs on her arms before she shook herself and followed.
‘It can become a habit,’ he was saying. ‘People grow to expect it. Next thing you know you’ve apologized for something that you’re not responsible for. And, believe me, there’s enough genuine obligation to go around without taking on unnecessary weight.’
His advice sounded almost mercenary, yet obvious. Her smile was wry. ‘Is that what you learnt at school?’
‘N
o. From life.’
His blunt reply hit her in the solar plexus. She knew so little about him—his background, childhood, what experiences had moulded the man he’d become. What made him laugh or angry or sad. ‘Sounds as if you’ve had some tough lessons.’
His furrowed gaze slid over to her. She almost let slip an apology for prying, but stifled it.
He nodded, apparently pleased by her stand, then tipped his chin as they approached a closed door. ‘That is Jezz’s room.’
They reached the doorway, but he didn’t knock. Instead, standing close, his shirt inches from her shoulder, she sensed his gaze burning down. Heart beating fast, she tilted her face up to his. His eyes held hers for a long penetrating moment before he spoke.
‘Some people appear to have charmed lives, Serena. Others can’t seem to cut a break. Whether you’re from the first batch, second, or a combination of the two, one of the toughest yet most important lessons is, know yourself well enough to never make the same mistake twice, because life is full enough as it is. Full of challenges and choices, decisions and disappointments, wishes lost—’ his voice deepened ‘—and passions found.’
Her every atom flashed hot as the air was sucked clean from her lungs.
He was talking as her boss, right? Logic told her so, yet his eyes searching hers set her blood on a slow boil. A pulse leapt down a cord at the side of his tanned neck as his gaze seemed to distance yet, at the same time, caress her. It left her light-headed…out of breath…quivering…
He straightened, rolled his broad shoulders back and the spell was broken. ‘Let’s meet Ms McQade, shall we?’
He knocked, then vanished through the opened door. She stared at the space he’d occupied as an avalanche of emotion plunged through her.
What was that about not making the same mistake twice?
But it wasn’t imagination this time. She had seen a gleam of desire in the depths of his eyes. Felt flames from his body lick out to singe hers. Incredible, but if she was right and this attraction was real, where did they go from here? What did it mean? No end of complications, problems, pitfalls?
She drifted through the doorway.
Or a chance to let go, just once?
Inside the private hospital room, Serena was snapped from her daze by a vision of vibrant red hair splayed over an enormous boomerang pillow.
‘Hope you guys brought a marker.’ Propped up on a hydraulic bed, Jezz McQade indicated her plastered leg. ‘Rules are, no autograph, no visit.’
The friendly smoke’n’ whiskey voice was a perfect partner for the informal air. Serena could easily picture Jezz, somewhere in her late forties, in a pair of flares, belting out some earthy rock ballad on stage, giving the audience every ounce of grunt she owned.
Chuckling, David moved forward. Serena pushed away the remnants of the episode outside and followed.
David found Jezz’s hand and pumped it once. ‘Good to finally meet you. This is Serena Stevens, the account executive I spoke with you about yesterday.’
Serena’s heart grew when Jezz’s face lit up with interest. She accepted the hand David had released. ‘Glad to meet you, Ms McQade.’
Jezz brought her other hand over to cement the handshake. ‘Ditto. But there’s one thing we’ll get straight from the start. No Ms McQade.’ The momentary growl was replaced with a smile. ‘Call me Jezz.’
Serena relaxed more. ‘Jezz it is.’
Outfitted in a black and orange Snoopy nightshirt, Jezz gestured to a couple of nearby chairs.
‘I’m known to be clumsy,’ she said, reaching for a flat white box on the bedside table as they took a seat. ‘But this takes the klutz cake of all time. Big tip, hon,’ she said to Serena. ‘Never listen to your favourite dance number in a steamy bathroom, even a beautiful big marble one.’ She skipped her attention to David as she tugged and the box’s blue ribbon unravelled. ‘Gorgeous accommodation, thank you, David. Hopefully I’ll get back to that view soon. But first things first.’ She whipped off the lid and offered a selection of milk chocolates. ‘I recommend the almond centre.’
David waved a polite hand, but Serena accepted. Seemed she and Jezz would get along just fine.
Jezz selected a Turkish delight. ‘We’re short on time—’ she popped the chocolate ‘—so let’s get this party started.’
David reached into his trouser pocket and retrieved a mini voice-activated recorder. He sent Serena a wink. ‘I always like a backup.’
Jezz took on a professional persona as she and David fell into an intense conversation incorporating various aspects of the campaign’s development. Artwork, photo shoots, scripts, co-ordinating print, radio and television with talent. Phew! Incredibly interesting but a little out of Serena’s depth. All the more reason for stacks of notes.
She gave the recorder a run for its money and was blowing on worn fingers when the conversation turned to strategies concerning the campaign’s basic component, the younger generation and their music.
Finished downing water from a tall glass, Jezz smacked her lips. ‘So, how would you like to follow up on some artists appearing on the debut show? Make inquiries into lead-in interviews and related advertising?’
Serena choked up. Jezz had spoken to her? About artist interviews? This was it! The first assignment of real responsibility.
She couldn’t help grinning from ear to ear. ‘I’d love to.’ So aware of David and his encouraging gaze, Serena hitched forward, ready for the details.
But a wiry-looking nurse burst into the room to announce in a crisp tone, ‘Medication time!’
Groaning, Jezz fell back against the pillow. ‘That must be the first line you gals learn at nurse school.’
The nurse pursed her rouged mouth and responded in a bone-dry tone, ‘Thank your stars it’s not a suppository.’
David jumped from his seat as though its chequered padding had caught fire. ‘We’ve held you up long enough.’
Serena got to her feet too, but Jezz raised a hand. ‘Do me a favour?’ she said to David. ‘Grab a cola from the vending machine down the hall. Serena’ll catch up in a tick.’
David sent a supportive smile. ‘Sounds like a plan.’ With long easy strides, he crossed to the door. ‘I’ll wait outside.’
Jezz patted the pale blue crocheted spread. ‘This is a big break for you, isn’t it, hon?’
Serena eased herself down on the bed and nodded.
Jezz’s eyes were the colour of a full glass of beer held up to the light. They half-mooned now above an understanding smile. ‘Feeling all excited and jittery at the same time?’
‘It’s the worst feeling.’ Serena visibly shuddered then grinned. ‘And the best.’
Jezz gazed off at some imaginary spot as the nurse clipped a blood-pressure gadget to her middle finger. ‘I remember when I was your age. I wanted to take the world by storm.’
Serena laughed. ‘And you did.’
‘My band days were the best. Didn’t need but a couple of hours sleep. We’d jam all night and travel all day. Everything was so new.’ She chuckled. ‘And just a little overwhelming for a country girl.’
Serena set aside the notebook, crooked up a leg and slotted the ankle under her other knee. ‘I thought your hometown was Sydney.’
‘Not originally. I hail from a little farming town in Queensland. Lived there till I was sixteen. Then something just clicked inside of me and I knew things were about to change.’
Serena nodded. ‘I know exactly what you mean.’
It was like an alarm clock ringing deep inside, a feeling that couldn’t be switched off.
Jezz pushed out a breath. ‘I couldn’t wait to get out of that one-road town and see everything the world had to offer.’ Her nose and its bump scrunched as she inclined her head and smiled. ‘Hear what I’m saying?’
Loud and clear. She’d come a long way since the days when homesickness and insecurities had stopped her from going to school camp or even staying a whole weekend at a friend’s place. Her parents h
ad been great about it, encouraging but never pushing too hard. Her dad had been different back then.
‘I love Sydney,’ Serena said, ‘but I’m dying to live overseas.’ Her face went hot. Oh, God, foot in mouth again. She sat up straight and tried to shrug it off. ‘That’s some time in the future, of course. Not any time very soon.’ I am so here for you and David and this campaign.
But Jezz was caught up in memories. ‘Travelling’s a fantastic experience. Sydney’s no backwoods, but Britain, the States, Europe. Every woman deserves to do Paris at least once, if not for the fashion, then the pastries.’ Her smile changed. ‘Ten years ago, no one could’ve told me how good it’d feel to get back home.’
Serena rationalised that statement. ‘You must be looking forward to seeing your family.’
‘Both my folks are gone now.’
Jezz’s eyes shone with a regret Serena identified with. Age knew no boundaries as far as the pain of losing someone you love was concerned. ‘I’m sorry.’ She meant it to her very soul.
‘I have a kid brother though. He has two girls. Or they were girls. Must be women in their early twenties by now.’ The nurse with the lips rattled chart pages at the end of the bed while Jezz blinked several times. ‘Makes me wonder how my life might have turned out if I’d met the right one.’
‘You never fell in love?’ Too personal a question? Perhaps. But Serena guessed her new mentor didn’t mind in the least.
Jezz waggled thin copper-coloured eyebrows. ‘Fell in lust a few times. Don’t know that it was love. Another chocolate?’ She reached for the box, but Serena shook her head. She’d hate herself enough tomorrow. ‘What about you? Cupid ever shoot you with an arrow?’
Me? In love?
Serena’s mind went blank, probably because there wasn’t a whole lot to tell, even after high school. Then a vision of the dark-haired man, commanding, serious but with a dash of rogue, came to mind. Was it lust—?
‘Visiting hours finish in five, ladies.’ The nurse slipped the pen behind an ear and disappeared out the room.
‘Better get back to business.’ Jezz ruffled the tissue paper over the two remaining soft centres and edged the box aside. ‘You’ll do great,’ she told Serena. ‘Each day I’ll lay out the groundwork. We’ll communicate through phone, email and in the evening we’ll have an update meeting—’