Whitewater Rendezvous

“So if everyone did good why are you in a lousy mood?”

“I’m not in a lousy mood.” Chaz glanced over at her partner guide.

Sally sat facing her in the large bucket seat, with a look on her face that said she wasn’t buying it for a minute. “Okay, I’m a little…well, annoyed, maybe, at one of the clients. That’s all. It’s nothing. And I won’t sour your judgment. You can make up your own mind.”

“Oh, no, you’re not getting off that easily. Give it up. What’s the deal?”

“Forget I said anything.”

“ Spill, Chaz,” Sally demanded in a sterner voice.

“Well, one of them is kind of…abrupt. You know—hard to warm up to. Not a lot of social skills.”

“Sounds like someone I know,” Sally remarked, a smirk on her face.

“Who, me? I’m not like that.”

“Well, you’re great with the clients after you get to know them a bit. But you do tend to be a bit standoffi sh at fi rst. And you don’t let many people get to know you well. ”

“Oh, I’m not that bad.”

“No? And when was the last time you went out on a date, hmm?”

Sally pressed.

“That has nothing to do with anything. And how did we suddenly start talking about me and my dating habits, anyway?”

“Doesn’t matter. Now that we are, fi ll me in. Your love life improve any over the winter? You deftly avoided the subject during the whole last trip. Don’t think I didn’t notice.”

“Sally, you know I’m very happy with the status quo,” Chaz said.

“I know what that means.”

“It means I’m not necessarily lonely just because I’m alone.”

“Oh, that’s crap, pardon the expression.” Sally reached over and gave Chaz’s shoulder a shove for emphasis. “You’re scared of getting involved and you know it.”

“I am not. I’m selective. How did we ever get off on this subject?

We were talking about the clients.”

“Speaking of which,” Sally said, “I saw the way Elise was coming on to you when she introduced herself.” A lot of cute women hit on Chaz, but as far as Sally was aware, her friend never took anyone up on their offers.

• 63 •

KIM BALDWIN

“Well, you know my feelings about that. It’s so unprofessional. I would never get involved with a client. Kind of like sleeping with one of my students.”

“ Maybe during the trip, you could argue that, although personally I don’t see a problem with it. And there’s certainly nothing wrong with taking somebody’s phone number and getting to know them better afterwards,” Sally suggested.

“If I ever get hit on by somebody I have real chemistry with, I promise I’ll think about it, okay? What do you know, we’re here,” Chaz announced as they pulled up at the lodge.

“You’re not off the hook, you know. We’re going to talk about this some more,” Sally promised.

“Look, I appreciate what you’re trying to do. I know you mean well. But we have lots of other things to think about right now.” Chaz opened the door of the van, hoping it would end the discussion.

But Sally wouldn’t let it go. She put her hand on Chaz’s forearm to keep her in her seat. “You can handle two things at once, Chaz. You should always keep an open mind in matters of the heart. You never know when an opportunity might present itself.”

Chaz patted her friend’s hand. “Spoken like the true married-for-life die-hard romantic that you are, Sally. Tom is a lucky man.”

“You’re a good catch too,” Sally said. “Smart, funny, bighearted, and cute as a bug.”

“Aw, gosh, you’ll turn a girl’s head.” Chaz sighed dramatically.

“It’s such a shame you’re not gay.”

“So…I counted at least three from your team among our clients.

That couple who were all over each other—Pat and Linda, right?”

Chaz nodded.

“And Elise, for sure,” Sally continued. “Any chance of anything happening there? She’s cute, and sure interested in you, my friend.”

“Get your mind out of the gutter. I told you I don’t date clients.”

“Translation—she doesn’t make your heart go pitter-pat. What about the others? Did your gaydar give you good vibes about any of the rest?”

Megan’s face popped into Chaz’s head. The way she’d looked after the roll, all fl ushed with excitement. Chaz could feel the heat rise to her cheeks.

Sally’s eyes got wide. “Oh? And what’s this? Hey, wait a minute.

• 64 •

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14