Teresa Morgan - Plus One is a Lucky Number

“Oh.”

Now you do look flash. Shut up .

“Depending on the traffic, we’ll stop after half way,” Adam said, glancing down at the clock in the dashboard. “But tell me if you need a stop before then, otherwise I’ll carry on.” He didn’t want her sitting there, too scared to ask him to stop, desperate to stretch her legs – and what fine legs they were, too.

You promised James you’d behave.

“Okay.”

“You’re very quiet, Sophie.”

“Oh, I thought you’d want to concentrate on the road,” she said.

“I don’t mind. If you want to talk, talk.”

“I’m happy listening to the radio.”

“I can put on a CD,” he said

“No, radio is fine.”

He adjusted the volume of the radio. Not too loud they couldn’t hear one another, but wanting to make sure they could listen to it. Did he usually worry this much? She seemed on edge. It’s not every day that a stranger picks you up and takes you away for a weekend.

They listened and commented on the morning broadcast. Occasionally, he’d catch the subtle scent of her floral perfume and glimpse to see Sophie staring out of the window. What was so bad about this wedding? Or was it him? He didn’t usually have a problem charming women. Was she intimidated? Shit, what had James told her about him?

Well, if he was going to do this, he was doing it properly. Adam certainly hated looking like an idiot. He didn’t want them turning up to this wedding and it being obvious that they didn’t know one another. He wanted them to step out of this car and look like a couple. This journey would be a good time to work out the finer details, and get to know the shy engineer better.

“Should we get our story straight?” Adam asked, breaking the silence that had fallen between them.

“Story?” Sophie replied, frowning at him.

“Yeah, how we met and all that. Am I going to get the third degree?”

“Hopefully not, but maybe we should have matching stories. Sorry, I didn’t think,” Sophie said, laughing nervously.

According to James, she was supposed to be a brilliant designer and could put Thomas Robotics ahead of all its competitors. Maybe talking about work would bring her out of her shell.

“It shouldn’t be too difficult. We both work for the same company,” he said, concentrating back on the matter at hand. “What about Ted Phillips’ retirement party a few weeks ago?”

“Did you go?”

“Yeah, didn’t you?” He frowned. Thinking about it, he didn’t recall seeing her there, because if she’d been dressed like this, he’d have noticed – wouldn’t he?

“Um … no.”

“Why not?”

“I was out with friends, I think.”

She’s lying. Friday nights at The White Lion was about her limits as far as Adam knew. He didn’t think she had other friends outside of work.

“How was it?” she asked, looking at him. “Did many people go?”

“Yeah, a good night.” Adam chuckled. “James got up and sang his rendition of You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling to a couple of ladies who work in Accounts.”

“He never told me.”

“I don’t think he remembers.”

Sophie laughed. “Well, we can still say we met there.”

“Okay, Ted’s retirement party.” He nodded, liking her laughter. There was honesty about it. He would like to hear it more often. It meant that she was relaxing, too.

Adam concentrated on the road, looking in his wing mirror and moving the car into the outside lane, although he wanted to get a better look at the woman sitting beside him.

Plenty of time. He had all weekend. And his job was to stay in close proximity – oh, what a shame! Not.

“I’ve got my clubs in the boot,” Adam said, first thing entering his head, his mind wandering to the hotel. Golf was something he did to relax and entertain important clients.

“What?” Sophie frowned.

“I checked out the hotel facilities. They’ve got a golf course.”

She looked at him, almost mortified. She didn’t think he’d be trying to escape her every given minute, did she? That’s not why he’d brought them. He thought it might be a place they could escape to.

“I know nothing about golf.”

“Then I’ll have to teach you.” He grinned. Now there’s a heart-warming thought and a subtle way to get close to this woman.

“To be honest, I’m pretty useless at any sport. You’d need longer than a weekend.”

“My contract is only for this weekend.” He raised his eyebrows, giving her a mischievous smile. “If you need me for longer, we’ll have to renegotiate.”

“Oh, um, I didn’t mean –”

“I’m kidding!” Adam chuckled. “I was going to suggest the tennis courts – they have those, too, but it looks like you’ll be using the pool.”

“Yes. I can swim.” She chewed her lip.

Okay – so she didn’t look keen on going swimming either. Probably the idea of them going together. She didn’t come across confident in her own skin – but why? He’d give her privacy, if that’s what she wanted.

Changing the subject, Adam filled Sophie in about Ted’s retirement party and the conversation moved on, allowing them to get to know one another better.

He stumbled over an old girlfriend’s name, internally kicking himself as he quickly washed over it. One thing he’d been trying very hard to avoid; past girlfriends – he had a few. He could see it had set off alarm bells inside her head, her eyes widening.

“You don’t have a girlfriend, do you?” Sophie asked him, hesitantly.

Adam shook his head. “No, don’t worry.”

“For a minute there I thought I’d put you in some awkward predicament.”

“Well, actually James got me into this predicament, because it was his idea.” Then, more seriously, he said, “But if I had a girlfriend, I wouldn’t be here. I’m not that kind of guy, either.”

“Of course not. Sorry.”

Her cheeks flushed pink – the English rose look suited her. What would she look like … ? Adam swallowed, burying his inappropriate thoughts. Where did that come from anyway? He didn’t need to be thinking along those lines. He’d promised James. Besides, she wasn’t even his type.

“I hope you don’t feel bullied into this,” she said, frowning.

“I wasn’t bullied. I can’t be made to do things I don’t want to do. We should have some fun, right?”

He hoped she could have fun. Something had stopped her from wanting to attend this wedding. Now Adam was with her, maybe she could enjoy herself. If that’s what she needed – company? Or would Adam add to her stress? They were strangers after all.

Sophie turned in her seat and Adam kept his eyes on the road. Occasionally he glanced and smiled at her. It was working; she was relaxing.

“I hope you don’t mind me being nosy, but … ” Sophie stopped.

His eyes narrowed. “What?”

“I don’t mean this to sound as bad as it does, but you’re an account manager … and this car … ?”

Adam relaxed. “Not exactly standard issue company car?”

“No.”

“Long story. Might tell you one day. Might not.” He winked and tapped his nose. “It’s a secret.”

“What? You’d have to kill me after?” she said, giggling, then sobered.

Adam noticed her anxious expression, and chuckled. “Sophie, you’re safe. I promise. I wouldn’t hurt you – James would murder me for a start.” He wanted to put her at ease.

He decided to stick with work topics. “Hey, the other week, I was in Bracknell stripping down one of our old QB13’s.”

“Oh, now you are showing your age,” she said, unable to hide a smile. “They’re an old model, way before my time.”