To Love Again

who really knew her, and Lucas was one of them, knew that she was slow to anger. But

when she did lose her temper it was best to take cover as soon as possible!

‘It sounded like fun,’ she conceded rueful y. ‘But I had an early start Friday morning

and I didn’t want to be overtired.’ She gave a heavy sigh. ‘I wish now that I’d never gone! Oh, it

was lovely seeing Laura for the first time, and I’m always pleased to spend time with Dizzy

and Zach

‘But?’ Lucas prompted softly, taking out the cups to pour them both a cup of coffee

from the pot, with the ease of familiarity.

‘Thanks,’ Christi accepted absently. She drew in a deep breath. ‘But,’ she sighed again,

‘Dizzy had invited three of what she called "eligible" men for the weekend, too, for me to

look over!’ she concluded disgustedly.

Lucas just stared at her, his coffee-cup held unwaveringly in one slenderly masculine

hand; for once, the articulate businessman, who could make a success of any company he

chose to take over, was completely struck dumb.

Christi couldn’t blame him; she had been more than a little speechless herself when

Dizzy had calmly introduced the three men as their other weekend guests! If she had met

those men under any other circumstances, she probably would have found each of them as

interesting as Dizzy assured her they were, but as the only female guest among three attractive

men it had been instantly obvious what Dizzy was up to. Much as she loved her best friend from

childhood, she could cheerfully have strangled her when they had all sat down to lunch and she’d

found her attention demanded by each man in turn. Dizzy’s intent was about as subtle as a

sledgehammer, and Christi had spent a very embar rassing three days trying to fend

off three fascinatingly attractive men. Some would have said she was mad to even try. Most

would have known she had failed miserably when she had returned from the traumatic

weekend with separate dates to see each man again! Dizzy had been completely

unconcerned by Christi’s embarrassed protests about what she was up to, reminding Christi of

a conversation they had once had about Christi advertising in a magazine for her ideal partner,

sure she had as much chance of finding him that way as she did with any of the men she had

dated so far. It had been a light-hearted conversation, made completely in fun on Christi’s side,

but Dizzy had obviously taken it seriously. While her marriage to Zach, and his obvious

disapproval of such a ridiculous idea as advertising in a magazine, had been a foregone

conclusion, Dizzy had done the next best thing as far as she was concerned, picking three men out

of her close acquaintance that she was sure Christi would like, inviting them all together for the

weekend, and sitting back to watch the results. The result had been that, after months of not

dating anyone, Christi now had three different men to see in the next week! She grimaced as she

saw Lucas was still staring at her. ‘You can close your mouth now,’ she taunted, feeling

the first stirrings of amusement over a weekend which at best had been awkward, at worst

downright uncomfortable! He did so slowly, sitting on the side of one of the bar stools that

sided her breakfast bar. ‘Dizzy seemed like a sane woman the one and only time I met her,

when she married your uncle.’ He spoke dazedly.

Christi grinned. ‘You saw her on a good day, on her best behaviour.’

He shook his head. ‘Has no one ever told her that the custom of choosing a husband for

a female relative went out of style years ago?’

Her smile widened. ‘Something as trivial as that isn’t likely to stop Dizzy once she makes

her mind up to an idea,’ she dismissed ruefully, having years of experience to base her claim

upon.

Lucas whistled softly through his teeth. ‘So, what are you going to do?’

Embarrassed colour darkened her magnolia cheeks. ‘I’m seeing Dick on Tuesday,

Barry on Thursday, and David on Saturday,’ she revealed reluctantly.

His mouth twisted. ‘That’s certainly showing Dizzy that she can’t push you around!’

‘I was in an awkward position,’ Christi defended. ‘I’d like to have seen you come

out of it any differently.’

‘My dear Christi,’ he drawled derisively, ‘no one pressures me into going out with someone I’d

rather not.’

Her irritation increased, for she knew full well that a man like Lucas, who had

remained single since his divorce several years ago, wouldn’t be forced into doing anything

he didn’t want to do. But he was different from her, had a way of getting what he wanted, and

away from what he didn’t want, without anyone challenging his right to do so. That

arrogance seemed to be a part of his nature he, and other people, took for granted; she just

didn’t have the same determination.

‘I actually liked Dick, Barry and David,’ she told him defensively.

He pulled a face, perfectly relaxed now that he was over his first surprise. ‘Dick, Barry,

and David who?’ he drawled.

‘Dick Crosby—Dizzy’s agent,’ she supplied a little resentfully. ‘I’ve met him before, of

course, since Dizzy began working as a freelance illustrator. Barry is Barry Robbins, a

friend of my uncle’s from his university days, who apparently put his studies to use in

directing films in Hollywood,’ she added challengingly as Lucas looked unimpressed.

‘I’ve heard of him,’ Lucas nodded dismissively. ‘Hm,’ she acknowledged irritably; the tall,

blond- haired director was handsome enough to have appeared in his films rather than

remaining behind the camera.

‘I think I met Dick Crosby, at least, at the wedding,’ Lucas remarked thoughtfully.

‘Possibly,’ she dismissed. ‘I believe Barry was unable to get here in time.’

Because it hadn’t seemed suitable to take a man to her uncle and Dizzy’s wedding that she

probably wouldn’t see again a couple of weeks later, she had asked Lucas if he would accompany

her instead. She had been thrilled when he’d accepted, proud to have had such an attractive

man as her partner for the day.

‘Just think yourself lucky you weren’t one of the men chosen by Dizzy as suitable for

me,’ she told him disgustedly.

Lucas’s mouth quirked. ‘I wasn’t "chosen" by her because I’m not suitable as far as

you’re concerned.’ He tapped her playfully on the nose. ‘I’m far too old for you, even if I’m not

quite old enough to be your father. I think I certainly qualify for the role of a much older

brother,’ he added drily.

‘My uncle is fourteen years older than Dizzy,’ she defended.

‘And they’re obviously deliriously happy together,’ he nodded. ‘It’s always the ones

who are happy who are trying to pair everyone else off,’ he explained at Christi’s questioning look.

‘But it isn’t very often these spring and autumn relationships work out.’

‘I think of Zach and Dizzy more as early summer and late spring,’ she protested. ‘I do know

they’re the best thing that ever happened to each other,’ she added indulgently, never having

seen Dizzy quite so confident of herself, nor her uncle quite so lighthearted, as they had been

since they had fallen in love with each other.

‘You haven’t told me who the third man is yet,’ Lucas reminded softly.

Because she had been saving the best until last! ‘David Kendrick, ’ she revealed a

little triumphantly, knowing he had to be impressed by the last man. ‘Zach’s publisher.’

Dark brows rose appreciatively. ‘I know him quite well,’ he nodded slowly.

It didn’t surprise her in the least that David and Lucas should know each other; in fact,

she remembered them talking briefly at the wedding last year, David acting as Zach’s best man. As

businessmen, Lucas and David had a lot in common, both seeming to have the Midas touch,

their interests diversified but, without exception, successful.

‘I have to agree with Dizzy about him,’ she said softly.

‘Why not Barry Robbins?’ Lucas shrugged. ‘You said he’s a film director, and you’re an

actress, so maybe he’ll be able to help your career.’

Her mouth tightened. ‘I don’t believe it’s done that way any more!’

Lucas looked at her frowningly, then his mouth twitched with amusement as her meaning

became clear, and finally he grinned openly. ‘I meant if you were his wife, of course,’ he said

innocently.

‘Of course,’ she said sharply. ‘But isn’t that leaping into the future just a little?’ she

derided. ‘I only have one date with the man. I certainly don’t need you matchmaking, too!’

‘Sorry,’ he grimaced. ‘I must try and remember that big brothers are for protecting you

from big bad wolves like those three.’

Christi sighed, not appreciating his humour at her expense at all. She didn’t find

anything about the situation funny. ‘Enough about my weekend,’ she dismissed briskly. ‘How

did yours go?’ she asked interestedly.

His humour instantly faded, a brooding look in his silver-grey eyes. ‘Marsha didn’t