“I’ve already adjusted,“ Colby announced grimly. “You’re the slow one in the crowd.“
Aaron summoned up a polite chuckle, but he looked vaguely dazed. “I can’t believe it. Where did you two meet?“
“We met in Fulbrook Corners,“ Diana explained crisply, hoping to put an end to the awkward conversation.
“You mean you’ve only known each other a few weeks?“ Aaron shook his blond, well-groomed head in astonishment. “And you’re married? I don’t believe it.“
“Believe it,“ Colby advised.
Aaron ignored him, turning to frown at Diana with deep concern. “That’s not like you, Diana. It’s hard to imagine you, of all people, rushing into marriage. You’re just not the type. You always think things through so carefully before you act. Wait until your coworkers hear about this. We’ll have to arrange a little party at the office to celebrate.“
“Don’t plan anything in the near future,“ Colby said. “She’s still thinking about whether she wants to return to a job where there’s no career potential for women.“
Aaron blinked and then his eyes narrowed slightly in consternation. He switched his troubled gaze to Diana. “All of us in business have to go through the experience of being passed over for promotion at one time or another. It’s tough, but it’s part of corporate life. And there’s always a next time. I feel sure that after another year or two with me, management will look more favorably on an upward move for Diana. In the meantime I was hoping you’d had a few thoughts about cutting short your leave of absence, Diana. You were always such a levelheaded type. Being away from your job this long is not good careerwise.“
“As a matter of fact, I wanted to talk to you about that, Aaron.“
Aaron beamed with satisfaction. “Terrific. There’s nothing I’d like more than to talk about getting you back into the fold ASAP. As I said, we’ve missed you in the office. When can you start?“
“Not until the first of September at the earliest,“ Colby said coolly. His stern gaze defied Diana to contradict him.
“That’s another month away.“ Aaron looked gravely disappointed.
“Colby has to finish a book he’s working on,“ Diana explained, annoyed with the way Colby had answered for her.
She brightened. “But I suppose I could return to Portland a little earlier than I’d planned,“ she began, thinking it through.
“No, you will not be returning to Portland earlier than planned.“ Colby’s voice had an edge in it that could have sliced ice.
Diana was furious, but she kept her mouth shut. The last thing she wanted to do was provoke an argument that would only succeed in embarrassing her in front of Aaron Crown. Image was everything in business. She had to maintain hers as a cool, calm, competent woman who was in charge of her marriage as well as her career. She forced a polite smile.
“I’ll let you know when I have my plans nailed down,“ she said to Aaron. No point letting him think she was too eager, she told herself.
“I’ll hold you to that,“ Aaron said swiftly. He patted Diana on the shoulder again. “I’ll be looking forward to working with you again as soon as possible, Diana. You’re good. Damned good. And I’m sure that with a little more experience under your belt you’ll go right to the top. You take care now and enjoy your honeymoon. Contact me as soon as you know your plans.“ He gave Colby a superior smile and walked off to join his party across the room.
Colby turned a simmering gaze on Diana. “You know what you need?“
She moistened her lower lip, uncertain of his mood. “What?“ she asked warily.
“Practice.“
She looked at him blankly. “Practice at what?“
“Being a wife. It’s a wonder you didn’t forget my name along with the fact that you’re married to me.“
Diana struggled to suppress a flash of humor. “I’m sorry,“ she murmured, using her napkin to hide her smile. “I was caught off guard.“ She shouldn’t have been, though, she thought. This restaurant was one that was popular with the staff of Carruthers and Yale. She had suggested it to Colby out of habit. It really wasn’t such a surprise to run into Aaron here tonight.
Colby glowered at her. “How long did you say you worked for that turkey?“
“About four years.“ She didn’t bother to contradict Colby’s opinion of Aaron Crown.
“How could you stand it? He’s a complete phony.“
“Phonies and turkeys are very common in the corporate world.“ Diana shrugged unconcernedly. “You learn to deal with them. Are you going to tell me either species is unknown in the publishing world?“
Colby sighed. “No. We’ve got our share. But at least I don’t have to take orders from them from nine to five, day in and day out. I only deal with them occasionally. The rest of the time they leave me alone so that I can write.“
“Unfortunately, in my world they’re a little harder to avoid.“
“You can avoid that particular turkey easily enough. Don’t go back to work for him. How did he happen to show up here tonight, anyway?“
Diana shrugged. “This is one of his favorite restaurants.“
“I see.“ Colby’s gray gaze was chillier than ever. “Did you two come here a lot in the old days?“
Diana’s head came up in surprise as she caught the blatant male jealousy in his voice. “We had a few business meals here, but that’s all. I’ve told you that Aaron and I are professional colleagues, not… not anything else.“
“Why aren’t you anything more than professional colleagues?“ Colby was clearly spoiling for another fight. “He looks like the type who’d sleep with one of his women managers if he got the chance.“
Diana grinned slowly. “I don’t date turkeys.“
Colby relaxed. His mouth twitched at the corner. “You just work for them, huh?“
“As I said, sometimes it’s unavoidable.“
SPECTER WAS WATTING when Diana turned the key in the lock of her downtown apartment door. The dog’s heavy tail wagged affectionately as he greeted her. He leaned heavily against her leg while he gave Colby a half-hearted glare.
“He’s losing his cutting edge,“ Colby said as he stripped off his jacket. “Doesn’t even show his teeth to me anymore.“