“What?” I say, confused.
“Ed Harrison,” she repeats impatiently. “You’ve kept him a bit quiet, haven’t you?”
“What do you mean?” Faint alarm bells are ringing. “How do you know about Ed?”
“Business People!” Natalie turns a magazine toward me, open at the picture of Ed and me. “Good-looking chap.”
“I’m not… it’s a business thing,” I say hurriedly, looking up.
“Oh, I know, Kate told me. You’re back with Josh, whatever…” Natalie gives a mock-yawn to show just how interesting my love life is to her. “That’s my point. This Ed Harrison is a nice juicy bit of talent. Do you have a plan?”
“Plan?”
“For placing him!” Natalie leans forward and speaks with elaborate patience. “We’re a headhunting firm, Lara. We place people in jobs. That’s what we do . That’s how we make money.”
“Oh!” I try to hide my horror. “No. No. You don’t understand. He’s not that kind of contact. He doesn’t want a new job.”
“He thinks he doesn’t,” Natalie corrects me.
“No, really, forget it. He hates headhunters.”
“He thinks he does.”
“He’s not interested.”
“Yet.” Natalie winks, and I feel like hitting her.
“Stop it! He’s not!”
“Everyone has their price. When I dangle the right salary in front of him, believe me, the story will change.”
“It won’t! Not everything’s about money, you know.”
Natalie bursts into mocking laughter.
“What’s happened while I’ve been away? Have we turned into the bloody Mother Teresa Agency? We need to earn commission , Lara. We need to make a profit .”
“I know,” I snap. “That’s what I was doing while you were lying on the beach in Goa, remember?”
“Ooh!” Natalie tosses back her head and laughs. “Miaou!”
She’s not remotely shamefaced. She hasn’t once apologized, for anything. How could I have thought she was my best friend? I feel like I don’t even know her.
“Just leave Ed alone,” I say fiercely. “He doesn’t want a new job. I’m serious. He won’t talk to you, anyway-”
“He already did.” She leans back, looking supremely pleased with herself.
“What?”
“In a minute. I have to make a call. It’s kind of… private.” I head down the stairs and out onto the street, speed-dialing Ed’s number. God knows what Natalie said to him. God knows what he thinks of me now.
“Ed Harrison’s office.” A woman’s voice answers.
“Hi.” I try not to sound as apprehensive as I feel. “It’s Lara Lington here. Could I possibly speak to Ed?”
As I’m put on hold, my mind can’t help traveling back to yesterday. I can remember exactly how his arms felt around me. How his skin felt against mine. The smell of him, the taste of him… And then that awful way he retreated into his shell. It makes me flinch just remembering.
“Hi, Lara. What can I do for you?” His voice comes on the line. Formal and businesslike. Not one shred of warmth. My heart sinks slightly, but I try to sound upbeat and pleasant.