The Pitch: City Love 2 Read Online Free Page B

contemplated the word cute, Christa jumped in. “Depends if you think Daniel Craig is cute,” she said.
    “Ooh. Older cute. Nice,” Cate concluded.
    My mouth twisted into a wry smile. Paul Neilsen was definitely not just “cute.” I hadn’t been able to get him out of my thoughts all week. I tried to tell myself it was because he’d be working on our pitch, but I wasn’t into self-delusion. The man was arresting and I was secretly pleased I’d be spending more time with him.
    “You’re awfully quiet, Maddy,” Scarlett observed.
    “Hmm?” And he was tall. He was really tall. And those eyes.
    Scarlett grinned like a Cheshire cat. “Looks like someone is interested in her mentor,” she teased.
    “Hmm?” I said again, and then stopped daydreaming when I realized what she was getting at. “Oh! Not seriously. He’s at least ten years older and he’s probably married. With kids.”
    “Oh my God, he might be nearing forty. How terribly old,” Scarlett drawled.
    We all burst into fits of giggles, which was very immature of us. It was a well-known fact Scarlett liked older men. Actually she liked all men, regardless of age, but she did have a particular penchant for the more experienced male. At last check, she’d been with a man in his late fifties and didn’t have any complaints.
    “Alright,” I managed when our laughter subsided. “So forty is not that old. I just meant he’s probably not an option for me.”
    “You won’t know if you don’t find out,” Scarlett challenged.
    I frowned. “True. But I think it might be a better idea to concentrate on winning this pitch first, instead of distracting myself with Paul’s potential relationship eligibility.”
    “Besides, we’re going to line up a hot date with Dillon!” Cate looked ready to get on her mobile and set up the blind date that instant.
    “Relax, Cate. I said I’d do it. How about you email me his details and I’ll contact him directly?” I suggested.
    “Sure.”
    The conversation moved on to other topics – thankfully – and Scarlett and Christa had us in fits of laughter about their recent indoor rock climbing experience with Max. Scarlett had given Max a run for his money apparently. He’d been forced to concede rock climbing victory when he was required to rescue Christa from hanging upside down – four times.
    It was no wonder I hadn’t felt the need for a man in almost four years. With friends like mine, life was good.

Chapter 5
    How inappropriate would it be to offer Paul Neilsen a job at Grounded Marketing? I wondered.
    I was only half-joking. Since arriving at the office this afternoon for our internal pitch meeting, Paul had seriously impressed me. And I wasn’t just talking about his height. Or those eyes.
    He’d impressed everyone else too.
    My pitch team were experienced in their own right, but Paul was at least ten years older than most of us – and it showed. I’d briefed the team on my rationale for inviting Paul to assist with the pitch earlier. I understood too well the damage broken egos could inflict. Before establishing Grounded Marketing, I’d worked in advertising agency account management roles. Stroking bruised or needy egos had been part of my daily job description. I was determined that my company would be as free from ego as humanly possible. I was pleased to see my team live up to my expectations in the meeting room – there hadn’t been a hint of self-importance.
    This included Paul. It was refreshing to discover his experience didn’t equate to ego.
    “So how’d I go?”
    I looked away from the view of Darling Harbour luxuriating in the spring afternoon that could be seen through the boardroom windows. Paul’s tall form rested on the door frame. I’d been waiting to do a wrap-up with him after the meeting was over, but he’d stepped out to take a phone call first.
    I flashed him a broad smile. It was genuine. “Fantastic. I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised by your