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“You did not have to say. I could see it. I could see how you reacted to his voice. Did he make a pass at you? I will kill him for hurting you.”
“No, it’s nothing like that. He didn’t even touch me.” Anne searched for the right words. “It’s… It’s like you warned me. He manipulated me. He lied to me. It wasn’t a big thing, and I suppose it turned out okay. But I feel like a fool. After I worried about him for two hours.”
“Why would you be worried about Gherring?”
“He pretended to be in pain. He was holding his side and making a terrible face. I thought he had appendicitis.”
“But why would he do that?”
“He did it so I would be thinking about him instead of thinking about how nervous I was. You know… when I was giving the presentation.”
“Gherring let you give the presentation? Why did he do that?”
“Something about needing to win over the female board members. It was all just like you said. He used me to get what he wanted.”
“And how was your presentation?”
“I think it was okay. It was all just a blur to me.”
“I am so proud of you. Did I not say you were worth so much more than just a secretary? Did I not say? So Gherring has finally seen that you are valuable. And now he will try to take you from me.”
“He’s not trying to take me. Believe you me. I’m just a big joke to him. You should have seen him afterwards, laughing because I believed his act.” Anne couldn’t decide if she was more embarrassed that she’d fallen for his ploy, or that she’d been so ridiculously nervous in the first place.
He stopped walking and drew her into his arms. He held her there while pedestrians passed around them, hurrying to their destinations. “You are not a joke to me, my angel.”
Her tense muscles softened until she was barely holding up her own weight. “Thank you, Henri. Today, you’re my angel.” She smiled at him. Then she took his hand and pulled him along the sidewalk. “Now, come and feed me. I’m starving.”
But he stopped her again. “I know he hurt your feelings. But I was so afraid he had… I thought he had hurt you in a different way. I was afraid you were starting to fall in love with him.”
“I’m not in love with Steven Gherring. Henri, I’ve only said ‘I love you’ to one man in my life. You’ve got to understand, love is more than a word or a feeling to me. It’s a commitment. I don’t expect to say those words again unless I’m positive I’m willing to commit to a life-long relationship.” Anne held up her chin and spoke with passion. “I hope that scares you just a little.”
“I should probably be afraid, but somehow I’m not.” He held her face in his hands. “But I have not said the words to you yet, and I will take your pledge to heart. If you hear the words from me, they will have the same meaning.” His gaze was so intense she had to look away.
When the food came, Anne attacked her plate. “I can’t believe how hungry I am.”
“It is from the adrenaline rush. You will get used to it. You learn to let the nervous energy help you to be sharp. You channel the nerves to help you think.”
“But I don’t plan to ever do that again. It’s way too stressful.”
“So you say now. But you will see. It is addicting. When you go back and Gherring closes the deal and you know that you had a part in that—you will want to do it again.” He leaned in close. “I am willing to make a wager…”
She was immediately suspicious. “I don’t think I’m very good at bets. I probably shouldn’t.”
“I know some of those people. We have met before. One of the women… G
herring is right… some of the women demand to have another woman playing a role when they work together.”
“They don’t know I’m his PA. They think I’m part of the CMA group.”
“Is that so? I may use that information to my advantage…” Henri raised his hand. “Don’t look distressed. I will not spoil Gherring’s deal. But I think I can bargain for something good.”
“Don’t make him mad at me. I still have to work for him.”
Henri looked at her with a devious twinkle in his eyes. “Trust me, mon ange.”
Anne and Henri walked in the conference room door just as Gherring was about to begin the afternoon session. The smile Gherring gave to Henri didn’t reach his eyes. Henri, however, grinned and shook Gherring’s hand, pulling him to the side to speak to him. Gherring’s eyes narrowed, his lips pressing together in a straight line. When he nodded, Anne wondered what Henri had made him agree to.
Anne had taken her place at the head of the table next to Gherring. Henri strolled around the table speaking to his friends and acquaintances before making an obvious point of placing a chair for himself next to Anne’s. Her face hot and her pulse throbbing in her temples, Anne pretended to study her handout.
