Chapter 6
The country house hotel on the outskirts of Birmingham was charming and the second day of client wooing had gone very well.
Now she was cosied up on a luxurious velvet sofa in the hotel’s comfortable bar with her colleague, Chris, as they went over how the pitch for new business was progressing.
‘It’s going great,’ he was telling her. ‘But how about you? You look a bit tired and you’re hardly drinking… are they wearing you out at Merris.’
‘No, honestly, I’m fine,’ she said, taking a tiny sip at the glass of white port she’d asked for, hoping to disguise the fact that she was hardly touching booze. ‘It’s just been a long day. But I think they will sign with us.’
‘Oh yeah, definitely,’ he smiled, ‘and it’s a big deal. Susan might even make us partners after this one.’
‘D’you think?’ she asked, looking him over. Chris was an undeniably handsome man – tall, good shoulders, jet-black hair, olive skin, an easy smile, good brain. All things she would have found irresistible in the old days. And she could read the signs, Chris was interested, despite her wedding ring and the fact they were colleagues. But everything felt friendly and professional between them, with just a little undertow of attraction.
‘You’re probably going to become a partner much sooner than you think,’ he added. ‘Maybe even ahead of me, clever girl. Sorry, woman, I don’t mean to be?—’
‘You’re fine,’ she smiled at him, ‘I know you don’t. And how are you? Any update on the Chris love life?’
He shook his head ruefully. ‘Nothing to report.’
‘You’re working too hard then. So many women out there would love to meet a handsome, solvent, charming guy like you.’
‘D’you think so?’
‘I know so! I’m going to have to go through my contacts list with you, see if I’m missing anyone obvious.’
She was trying to keep the mood light, but his face grew serious and he turned to her with an intense look that immediately make her think: uh-oh, he’s going to say something and I’m not sure it’s a good idea.
‘Bella—’ he began.
‘Chris—’ she leaned forwards in some sort of attempt to stop him.
‘No, I just want to get it out there, if that’s OK, because I just can’t shake the feeling that you might be the one person in the world who’s absolutely perfect for me, but I got there too late.’
Oh boy.
He was waiting with a pained expression for her reply and she already knew she wanted to be kind.
‘Thank you, that is far too nice of you…’ she said. ‘Way too nice. I really like you, Chris, you’re great,’ she gave him a warm smile, ‘but I can’t be your perfect person, because she will feel just the same way as you do and make herself available no matter what.’
She looked down at her glass and swirled the clear liquid around gently, before adding, ‘I’m very happily married, Chris. You liking me is just a symptom of your commitment phobia. I know this because I used to be the same.’
‘Really?’
She let her words sink in, before adding, ‘I’m really in love with my husband. He’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. But before I met him, I couldn’t settle, no one was good enough, I could find fault with anyone.’
There was a pause as her words sank in for him.
‘You might have to speak to someone about it,’ she ventured.
‘A shrink?’ he asked, sounding surprised.
‘Might help.’
‘Did you?’ was his next question.
‘No, but maybe I should have… more issues than Vogue,’ she joked.
After a long pause, Chris finally said, ‘Maybe you’re right, Bella. I’m thirty-four, I’ve got to sort my life out and find that person.’
He leaned back with a sigh. ‘So, that’s it. I’m going to have to properly give up on you, then… maybe I’ll have to start writing poetry.’
They both began to laugh.