Breaking Into the Business Read Online Free Page B

said. “I have never been in this situation.”
    “I
think that we can make this work.”
    “So
what are you talking about here? Just a date?”
    “That
would be a start,” he said with a smile.
    “Dating
a client is something that my office will probably frown upon.”
    “Then
we have to keep it a secret,” he said, “At least for now, while you are on my
assignment.”
    “Wow,”
I said, sitting back and thinking this through.
    Luckily,
our food arrived and that broke the conversation. I had to think this through.
The most handsome man I had seen in a while was asking me on a date, and other
than the whole work stuff, I had no reason to say no to him. He was kind,
educated, rich, and successful in every way I could think of.
    Of
course, I had my children to think about, but if I were ever going to date
again, they would have to face that reality. In fact, having a male presence in
their lives might not be such a bad idea any way.
    Was
I ready for this? Frank’s departure and subsequent silence had certainly left me
damaged. Sometimes I thought it might have been better if he had stuck around
and just treated me like crap. Not knowing the problem was worse.
    I
sighed and gave him an answer. “Okay, I will go on a date with you.”
    “Great,”
he said.
    “On
one condition.”
    “Anything.”
    “We
take it slow,” I said. “I’m not even sure if dating is the right thing for me,
but I want to give it a try. But I’m very serious about the fact that this has
to be slow.”
    “We
can go as slow as you want,” he said. His smile was warm, and I could tell that
he was sincere about what he said.
    “I
should also let you know that I have two children, both teenagers,” I said. “I
hope that’s not a problem.”
    “Not
a problem at all,” he said.
     
     

 
    Chapter Four
     
    For some
reason, I felt the need to get extra dressed up that night. I had my weekly
standing appointment for drinks with the girls and it wasn’t uncommon for guys
to ask to buy us drinks. I never put much stock into it, and usually I just
declined the offer, but tonight was different.
    Maybe
it was the combination of the incident with Derrick and being asked on a date,
but tonight I felt sexy. The blouse I chose was low cut, showing an ample
amount of cleavage, and the skirt I put on was the shortest that I had. I
actually put product in my hair and a little more makeup than usual. I was
never a fan of makeup and felt that I looked better without a lot.
    There
wasn’t much time before I was to meet them, so I had to hurry. That afternoon, the
kids and I had watched a movie to spend some quality time together. Jake and I
interacted as we always did, and Mallory typed away on her phone the entire
time. I nearly confiscated the device, but knew that wouldn’t help.
    I
knocked on her door to tell her bye and got some inaudible response, but Jake
actually came out of his room to give me a hug. He was such a sweet boy.
    Before
I walked off, he stopped me.
    “You’re
going out in that?” he asked.
    “Obviously,”
I said. “Is there a problem?”
    “Don’t
get me wrong, Mom, you look great, but you realize that you will definitely get
some male attention in that thing, right?”
    “Maybe
that’s the idea,” I smiled.
    “Well,
just make sure they are nice,” he said. “And don’t go too far.”
    “What
would you know about that sort of thing?” I asked suspiciously.
    “Mom,
I’m fifteen,” he said. “I know all about that.”
    “You
better not ‘know all about that’ from personal experience, young man.”
    “That’s
none of your business,” he laughed.
    I
shook my head, not wanting to take the conversation any further. Jake always
felt comfortable talking to me about girls, but I had a hard time hearing about
it.
    “You
two better behave while I’m gone,” I warn him. “I should be home by midnight,
but if you need me, call my cell. You are not to go anywhere.”
    “Got
it,” he said.
    “And
tell your