Berry Picking Read Online Free

Figures. She glanced at Andre and saw his mouth quirk as he tried not to laugh.
    “Sorry I took so long,” Conrad said handing her the plate. “I got chatting with this guy about his business that really needs to be restructured. I got his card for you and gave him your name. I told him you were one of the best.” He fumbled for the card he had placed in his pocket. “Ah, yes here it is.”
    “Thanks,” Paula first glanced at the card then stared when she read the name.
    Andre glanced over her shoulder and read the name then gave a low whistle.
    Paula stared at Conrad amazed. “How did you get this?”
    Conrad frowned. “I just told you.”
    “Do you know who this is?” She didn't let him answer. “He's a known entrepreneur. He turns businesses into multimillion dollar empires. I'm a nobody.”
    “No you're not. He said he could use your services.”
    “He was probably just being nice,” Andre said.
    Conrad shot him a glance and stretched out his hand. It appeared like a warm friendly gesture, but there was a chill to his tone. “And you are?”
    “Andre Bell.”
    “This is a former student of mine,” Paula said.
    Conrad nodded. “I see. Well, you may not have much confidence in Paula, but I do. He wasn't being nice.”
    Andre grinned. “I didn't mean to offend you it's just that guys like that usually come to these events to throw their money around, get their names known, then leave. They don't need help.”
    “He does.”
    Paula lightly touched Conrad's arm not wanting him to argue. Andre was probably right but Conrad had such a good heart he probably wouldn't know the difference.
    The two men couldn't be more different. It was almost painfully stark--one looked like a champion golden retriever, the other a loyal bloodhound.
    “I'd better go,” Andre said. “Talk to you later, Paula. Nice to meet you Conrad.”
    Conrad nodded and Paula merely waved.
    “Old friend?” Conrad asked, watching Andre get up and walk over to another guest.
    “I told you, I met him at the university.”
    Conrad was quiet a moment then looked at her. “Did he ask you out?”
    “What?”
    He shrugged. “I wouldn't blame him.”
    Paula stood feeling restless and guilty, although she had no reason to. “Let's go. You need to change your shirt.”
    He gently tugged her back down. “Relax. It won't stain.”
    “You've done this before?”
    “You're avoiding my question.”
    Paula picked up a ladyfinger then softly said, “Yes, he asked me to have coffee.”
    “And what did you say?”
    “Guess.”
    He briefly closed his eyes. “You said 'No, my boyfriend wouldn't like it.'“
    Boyfriend? Funny she'd never even thought of that. Had they really gotten to that stage? Did she want to?
    Conrad sighed and looked at her. “So that's not what you said?”
    “I did say no,” she said wondering why the feeling of guilt continued to linger. They'd never talked about being exclusive.
    “But you didn't say I was your boyfriend.”
    “I didn't know you were.”
    “What do you think I am?”
    “Just a friend.”
    Conrad shook his head and offered her one of his rare crooked smiles. “I like you too much to be just a friend. If you don't want more, then let's stop this now.”
    “No, I just...”
    “Go out with him. If he's the one you want to be with, just let me know.”
    “Conrad don't,” Paula said now feeling anxious. She playfully nudged him with her elbow. “Come on. You know I like you.”
    “Go out with him then we'll both know how much.”
    ***
    “You're giving up a good guy,” Aunt Miriam said as Paula prepared for her date with Andre. She'd asked to borrow her aunt's gold necklace and her aunt had insisted on coming over with it.
    “I'm not giving him up. I'm just taking a break.”
    “And in the meantime someone else will snap him up.”
    “No one has so far.”
    “That's because women are stupid.”
    Paula turned to her aunt surprised. “I thought you were a feminist.”
    “I am, but that doesn't