Australia: Bundles of Joy. Nicola Marsh

his idea, even though you were going to suggest it anyway.’

      Keely had been pondering the very same question all day and, though she’d managed to finish the bulk of her work, her mind had constantly drifted to Lachlan and the way he made her feel in his presence—uncertain, excited, like being on a rollercoaster and not knowing when the next exhilarating plummet would be.

      She’d tried to ignore her erratic hormones and focus on work. Nadia had finally announced her pregnancy and Keely was sure it was no coincidence that Raquel had entrusted this account to her. If she succeeded in satisfying Lachlan Brant as a client, she had a sneaking suspicion the promotion was hers.

      ‘It’s just that. Research. I learn more about the man; his website will reflect my efforts. Obviously, he wants it to be top-notch too; that’s why he came up with the idea for me to spend time with him.’

      Tahlia finished her stretch and stood, taking a deep slug from her water bottle. ‘I know this promotion is important to you but don’t kid yourself. This man has the hots for you and, if I’m not mistaken, the feeling is entirely mutual.’

      Keely hated it when her friends were right.

      ‘So? What’s wrong with having a little fun? It’s not going to affect my work. In fact, it’s going to enhance it.’

      Emma lifted her long blonde ponytail, draped a towel across her neck and smiled. ‘Sweetie, there’s nothing wrong with having fun. I just think there’s more to it than that. If the guy was only interested in a quick roll in the sack, he wouldn’t be going to all this trouble.’

      Expecting an argument from the ever-practical Tahlia, Keely looked at her.

      To her surprise, Tahlia shrugged. ‘Sorry, I have to agree with the romantic one on this.’

      ‘Great,’ Keely said, ‘that’s all I need. You two agreeing for once.’

      ‘We’re just being objective.’ Emma handed her a sports drink and Keely drank deeply, hoping the electrolytes would help replenish some of the brain cells she seemed to have lost since she’d first laid eyes on Lachlan.

      ‘Which is probably difficult in your case, seeing as he keeps finding excuses to see you. Must be terribly distracting.’ Tahlia grinned and tossed her empty drink bottle into a nearby bin.

      ‘Remind me never to tell you two another detail about my love life.’ Keely slung her gym bag over her shoulder and headed for the showers.

      ‘Love life?’ Emma pounced on the words once they left her mouth as the girls fell into step beside her.

      Keely bit back a groan. She shouldn’t blame her friends for encouraging her. She was doing enough fairy tale building in her own head.

      ‘Okay, you got me. I like the guy. He’s perfect. There. Satisfied?’

      ‘Not as much as you’re going to be if Lucky Lachlan has his way with you over the weekend away,’ Tahlia said, trying her best to look innocent while holding the door to the locker room open.

      Emma giggled and Keely rolled her eyes, a small part of her hoping that her friend’s prediction would come true.

      Lucy’s e-mail was the first Keely opened on Friday morning and, unfortunately, it didn’t help her frame of mind.

      To: [email protected]

      From: [email protected]

      Subject: The Perfect Man

      K,

      Have completed formulating quiz for Flirt site.

      Keely’s Collection was inspirational 4 the perfect man quiz.

      Thought U might like to check out my work?

      Maybe apply questions to LB, your PM, and get the answers back to me?

      Luce

      She stifled a groan. Not Lucy too! Emma and Tahlia egging her on were bad enough, now she had her trusty assistant on the case.

      Quickly scanning the list of quiz questions, she couldn’t help but chuckle.

      The Perfect Man’s most desirable asset is:

      a) great pecs

      b) great biceps

      c) great butt

      d) great ‘package’

      Does the Perfect Man prefer:

      a) boxers

      b) jocks

      c) thongs

      d) free-balling it

      The Perfect Man looks best in:

      a) a suit

      b) jeans

      c) underwear

      d) nothing at all

      The Perfect Man’s best accessory is:

      a) his cuff-links

      b) his Palm Pilot

      c) his tie-pin

      d) you

      Though she was tempted to answer’d’ to all of the above for a laugh, she typed a quick response.

      To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Subject: The PM fallacy

      Luce,

      In my case, no such thing.

      Nice work, though. Perhaps applying these questions to Aidan might be more appropriate?

      Isn’t he your PM?

      K

      For someone who loved her scrapbook, and who had enjoyed jotting down quotes from her favourite people her entire life, she suddenly wished she’d ditched Keely’s Collection for a more practical guide. Perhaps something like Real Men Aren’t Perfect. Evaluate every relationship you’ve ever had and find out why.

      She’d devised her checklist as a tongue-in-cheek exercise when dumped by Ray all those years ago, though she’d forgotten to apply it when Jon had come along four years later and she’d really fallen hard. Maybe if she’d remembered it she wouldn’t have gone through the heartache of losing a man she’d thought she loved at the time. She’d also realised that if a guy who’d openly professed his love for her could then run out on her after discovering her inability to have kids—then any man could.

      Now, the fictitious man she’d described in her list had walked into her life. From his dark wavy hair and bluer-than-blue eyes to his fondness for doughnuts, he appeared perfect in every way.

      And what was she going to do about it?

      ‘Damned if I know,’ she muttered as she scanned a few inter-office memos.

      Lucy’s response came in just as she’d deleted the last one.

      To: [email protected]

      From: [email protected]

      Subject: R all the good ones taken?

      K,

      Aidan is an accountant, therefore can’t be PM material

      Luce

      Shaking her head, she wondered when Lucy was going to wake up, take off her rose-coloured glasses—literally—and take a good look at what was right in front of her. Aidan seemed an ideal match for her and, though he appeared conservative at first glance, she knew he harboured a wild streak. After all, she’d seen the car he drove, and a maroon convertible sports car with cream leather seats didn’t seem too boring to her.

      Add to that the abseiling equipment she’d glimpsed in the rear seat and there were definite possibilities there.

      The guy seemed to have it all—good looks, a great job, he was polite and genuinely interested in