Just My Luck Read Online Free Page B

chance?”
    “I do,” Ally said cautiously.
    He smiled with satisfaction, revealing noticeably long canine teeth. Ooh, a vampire. And that’s exactly what he looked like. Suave and dark, a bit like a young George Clooney.
    “I just had the most brilliant idea,” he said. “They don’t come along that often, so I have to grab them when I can. I’m a publicist for the Heat—the Wellington netball team,” he explained at her blank look. “And I was thinking, maybe there’s some way we can get the girls filmed doing some climbing. What d’you think?”
    “I think it’s a great idea,” Ally said at once. “Climbing always looks so impressive, even the easiest walls, if you’re not used to seeing people doing it. And it would be a great team-building activity, because you’re literally supporting your partner.”
    “Good point. And, of course, they’d look dead sexy doing it,” he said with another of those wolfish smiles. “Men would watch that, I know. But what about women? As a woman, what would be your reaction if you saw a segment like that on TV?”
    “I’d like it,” Ally said. “It’s a really empowering image for women. Overcoming obstacles. But I’ve been a climber for a long time, so I’m probably not the best judge. What do you think, Kristen?”
    “I’d like it too,” Kristen decided. “It’s . . . powerful, like you say, but fun too. And I’m just a beginner, so I’m not prejudiced like Ally here.”
    “Think your boss would be keen, if there were publicity for the gym in it for him?” the man asked Ally.
    “Absolutely,” Ally said, her excitement growing. “Not just appealing to women, but showing men what women look like when they’re climbing. Fitness and sex appeal, like you said. It’d be a great marketing idea.” This would be the perfect way to get her ideas across without seeming pushy. If she brought Mac this opportunity, dropped it into his lap.
    The man nodded his dark head in satisfaction, his smile reaching the bright blue eyes. “Let me work on the idea a bit, run it by the team,” he decided. “I’d like to pick your brain as well, if I could.”
    He pulled out his wallet, extracted a white business card and handed it to Ally. “Devon O’Neill,” he said unnecessarily. “If you’ll give me your name and mobile number, we could talk some more, coordinate our approach so it works for both of us.”
    Ally gave both to him, then introduced Kristen. To her gratification, Devon remained focused on her even after the introduction to her more beautiful friend. Maybe she actually had something that appealed to New Zealand men, she thought in surprise. First Nate, and now this guy. Although Devon was a long way more appealing.
    And just like that, here Nate was, she realized with disgust. She just didn’t seem to be able to escape him. Walking behind his friend Liam into the café with a wary, closed expression that was at odds with Liam’s broad smile, all for Kristen. Who looked cautiously pleased herself to see him again. Unusual, for Kristen.
    “What luck finding you in here,” Liam told Kristen after a brief hello to Ally. “I’ve been at the gym three times this week, missed you every time.”
    “I’m working,” Kristen began to explain. But Ally had stopped listening, her attention caught by the silent drama playing out in front of her.
    Devon had turned at the approach of the other men, and Ally had seen the moment when his eyes met Nate’s. The mutual recognition. The instant antagonism on Nate’s face, the way his hands tightened, Devon staring back at him defiantly. Until Nate turned right around and walked out.
    Liam glanced in surprise at his friend’s retreating back. Then said hurriedly to Kristen, “You’ll be there tomorrow, then? Could you use a climbing partner?”
    “Yes,” she said, her cheeks faintly tinted with what looked like pleasure. “Ally’s going to be working, so I could definitely use a partner.”
    “Ten?”