Australia: Bundles of Joy. Nicola Marsh

with her index fìnger before coming to an abrupt stop. ‘Sorry, sweetie, I have to agree with Tahlia. This idea will be impossible to animate, let alone sell. And that’s the bottom line here, making Flirt look as attractive as possible to the Heads.’

      Emma placed her draft on the conference table between them and reached for a doughnut. ‘And, unless you want ours to roll, I suggest we come up with a new design before the Rottie starts snapping at our heels.’

      Keely sighed, ignoring the doughnuts for once, and took a long sip of her Macchiato. ‘Maybe I’m losing my touch?’

      ‘More like losing your mind over you-know-who,’ Tahlia muttered, cradling a steaming cappuccino in her hands.

      Keely ignored the jibe. They were meeting to brainstorm ideas for Flirt magazine, their newest and biggest client, not dish the dirt on her status with Lachlan.

      ‘When you said meet for a D&M, I assumed you meant the usual doughnuts and Macchiato, not the deep and meaningful conversation that often accompanies any one of us getting involved with a man.’

      Though she needed to focus on her work—she could almost reach out and touch the promotion to Director of Graphic Design—the temptation to talk about Lachlan hovered in front of her. However, she knew that if the girls got her started she’d probably never stop.

      ‘Do you want to talk about it?’ Emma asked, the worried frown on her brow deepening. ‘This stuff can wait.’ She waved at the Flirt file as if it meant nothing, which they all knew wasn’t true. If they ever lost an account like this one, it would probably mean their jobs would disappear quicker than a click of a mouse button on a delete key.

      Keely glanced at Tahlia, knowing that out of the three of them she was the most driven. Her career meant everything to her, and if they veered from work during these regular meetings she would pull them back into line.

      Today, Tahlia threw both hands in the air. ‘What the hell? I’m up for all the gruesome details if you are.’

      Keely placed her cup on the table, leaned back and folded her arms. ‘Well, there isn’t a lot to tell. He’s a man, I’m a woman, and we’re dating.’

      ‘You’re what?’ Emma screeched, and grabbed her arm. ‘When did all this happen? How did it happen? How far have you gone? What—?’

      ‘Whoa! One question at a time, Em.’ Tahlia leaned forward like a co-conspirator. ‘Did you do the deed yet?’

      Keely laughed and made a zipping action over her lips.

      ‘Your lips are sealed, huh?’

      She nodded at Tahlia, a smirk spreading across her face at the expression on Emma’s.

      ‘Now see what you’ve done,’ Emma said to Tahlia. ‘Ask one crass question like that and she clams up. Now what are we going to do?’

      Tahlia winked at Emma. ‘We could always go directly to the source and ask him. I’m sure Lachlan would love a phone call to his talkback show, asking about his latest love.’

      ‘You wouldn’t!’ Keely burst out, knowing her friends were joking and enjoying it.

      After her lonely teenage years, she’d thanked her lucky stars when she’d met Emma and Tahlia and for the instant bond that had sprung up between them. She valued their friendship more with each passing day and looked forward to their teasing as much as their kooky sense of humour and their loyalty.

      Emma nodded. ‘Yes, we would. Unless you give us some small titbit of gossip so we can live our lives vicariously through you.’

      ‘Fine.’ Keely took a moment to refill her cup from the coffee machine before responding. ‘We’re going away this weekend to Hepburn Springs for a little R and R. He’s away on business in Sydney till then so in a way, it’s our first official date.’

      Tahlia rolled her eyes. ‘Yeah, right. As if you haven’t been dating for the last week anyway.’

      Keely glanced at Emma, expecting her friend to say something. To her surprise, Emma chewed on her pen, a slight frown creasing her brow.

      ‘What’s up, Em?’ Keely had enough doubts swirling through her head without her friends joining in. If something was bothering Em, the romantic dreamer of the three of them, it had to be serious.

      ‘You really like this guy, don’t you?’

      Keely nodded, still a little stunned herself at the swiftness of the whole thing. Lachlan had entered her life just over a week ago and swept her off her feet. She never dropped her guard that quickly, though with Mr Perfect bombarding her with his presence on a daily basis, what choice did she have?

      Thankfully, this time she had no intention of letting her heart rule her head. She knew the score: date a gorgeous guy, have some fun, don’t get serious. No need for messy confessions about her past, no qualms about calling it quits. Simple.

      Emma leaned forward and the frown deepened. ‘I thought so. I’ve never seen you like this over a guy. Just don’t get hurt, okay?’

      Emma’s concern puzzled her. She’d thought her friend would be doing cartwheels instead of doling out dire warnings.

      ‘I really like him, Em, but I’m not about to do anything stupid.’ Like fall in love.

      No, this relationship would be light-hearted, casual, fun. They were dating, not on trial for potential marriage, and in that case her secret wouldn’t even come into play.

      ‘If you want my opinion, I think it’s about time you lost it over a guy. All this realism garbage you spout gets a bit boring after a while.’

      Keely smiled at Tahlia, knowing she could count on her for an honest update of the situation.

      ‘On that note, I think we should get back to business. Flirt magazine should be our number one priority right now.’

      At least during business hours.

      She would have to make a conscious effort to concentrate on work for the rest of the week and banish the thought of her weekend away with Lachlan. Having him interstate and not popping up on her doorstep would certainly help, though her insomnia had taken a turn for the worse lately, and all she could think about while lying in bed at night was how far she was willing to take this dating business—and the possible repercussions—if the unthinkable happened.

      By the way her emotions had been careening out of control around him she knew she had to tread carefully.

      Dating Lachlan would be fine, loving him disastrous.

      Though for the life of her she couldn’t back away now. She deserved some happiness, however fleeting, and dating Lachlan promised to deliver in that department. In spades.

      If anything, this weekend would be fun, and it had been too long since she’d had any with a man. Sure, her life as a city girl was rewarding, but she’d be lying if she didn’t admit to a certain emptiness, a yearning for something more. And, right now, she knew Lachlan could fill that void—and how!

      Keely jumped as Tahlia clicked her fingers in front of her face. ‘Snap out of it, dating girl. Focus.’

      Keely sent a sheepish smile her friends’ way, banished thoughts of Lachlan from her mind and tried to do exactly that.

      ‘You don’t do things by halves, do you?’ Keely glanced around the mud-brick cottage, admiring the antique furniture, the plump throw-cushions and a fireplace that just beckoned to be laid in front of. ‘This place is beautiful.’

      Lachlan deposited their overnight bags inside the door and looked up, his stare doing strange things to her insides even at a distance. ‘You’re beautiful.’

      Though she knew his compliments were part of his charisma, as natural to him as breathing, a small part of her couldn’t help but wish he truly meant them. Before a larger part told her to wake up! She looked in the mirror