Chapter 141

I laughed at her sudden change of heart. I knew just how to manipulate her tempt her with shopping with an unlimited credit card. "So, when can you get here? We have to go shopping soon. Christmas Eve is just a week away."
She thought for a minute as she shuffled papers in the background. "Give me today to cancel my clients and I'll be on the first flight out."
I laughed. "Good! Can't wait to see you! Hey! Don't plan on going back right away! I want to go out with you on New Year's Eve, too!"
She laughed. "What? Logan not man enough for you?"
I laughed. "Just get your ass here! Can't wait to see you!"
Her voice suddenly turned serious. "Yeah. Me, too."
"You okay?"
There was a pause at the other end. "Same 'ol, same 'ol. No man at Christmas, the usual."
"Well, we're going to change that this year!"
"Yeah, yeah! You're with Logan!"
"Since when did you go gay?"
"Since all of the good men dropped off the face of the earth."
I laughed. There was no way that Alanna would ever be gay. She liked men way too much. "We'll find you a good one. Just get your ass up here!"
"I'll call you when I have a flight."
"Love you!"
"Love you back!"
The phone went dead, and I already missed her. But I was filled with excitement at the thought of Alanna spending the holidays with me in New York. I made a mental note to call Greer and let her know that I wouldn't be coming out for the holidays, after all.
There was a light rap on the door.
"Come in," I called out.
Lynn peeked her head in the door. "Your next appointment is here."
I sighed, coming back to reality. "Thanks, Lynn. Who is it?"
"Mr. Curt Davis."
My heart suddenly froze, but I quickly recovered myself. I hadn't seen Curt since I had broken it off with him, and I was surprised that he was here now. "Please, show him in," I said as I rose from my desk.
A moment later, Curt was standing in the doorway. But as I took him in, I knew there could never be anything between us. Seeing him again, I was sure of it now. No one could compare to Logan for the rest of my life.
"Well, well! It's about time you got off the phone," Curt teased as he walked toward me with open arms. I turned my head and let him give me a friendly kiss on the cheek.
"So, how have you been?" I asked. It really was good to see him again.
"Good, and you?" he asked, pulling back to look into my eyes.
"Never better," I said, letting my arms fall from his waist as I took a step back and gestured casually to the chair in front of my desk. "Please, sit down. What can I do for you?"
He remained standing. My heart sank as his face turned serious. "Alyssa, I hope you don't mind me coming here, but I wanted to talk to you and I knew you wouldn't go out with me."
I let out a deep breath. "Curt, let me stop you right there. I'd like to be friends, but I can't do anything more than that." I bit my lower lip, choosing my words carefully, not wanting to alienate him completely. "I'm seeing someone a man I used to date years ago Logan Ambrose."
Craig narrowed his eyes. "Yeah. I heard he was alive."
I nodded. "But that's not the reason why I broke it off with you. I'd just like to leave it at us being just friends and business associates, if you like." I smiled. "Also, thank you for sending me so much business, even since I broke it off. It was very kind of you."
He smiled as he shrugged. "You're one of the best lawyers in New York. Everyone says so."
I smiled sincerely. "Thank you for that."
He let out a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair as he turned toward the window. After a moment, he turned back to face me. "Alyssa, I hope you don't mind, but I'd like to continue our business relationship. And I appreciate your honesty." He forced a smile. "That's one of the things I've always liked about you. You're always honest sometimes painfully so."
I smiled. "That's fine. I'd like to continue our business relationship. And we can be friends, too, but nothing more."
He took my hands into his as he smiled. "I can live with that." He looked into my eyes for a moment, and then he dropped my hands. "Now, back to work. I need your advice about something " He stopped when he saw the puzzled look in my eyes. "Hey. I wasn't kidding when I said you were one of the best lawyers in New York. You're a great consultant."
I smiled, glad that Curt was still Curt and that we could be friends. "Sure. What do you need?"
We spent the next two hours discussing his business ventures. He really was a great guy. Just not for me. But any girl that he ended up with would have to be strong enough to handle him.
By the end of our meeting, we had set up a great business plan for him.
"Thank you for this, Ms. Collins," he said as he snapped his briefcase shut. "I love your ideas, and plan to implement them immediately."
I smiled. "I'm glad you like them. And, please, call me Alyssa. We don't have to be so formal."
He smiled as he nodded. "I'd like that." Then, he pulled me in for a quick hug. "Take care," he said and then turned to leave.
"Curt," I said, holding out my arm to stop him. "Logan is having a fundraiser on Christmas Eve. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital." Then, a thought occurred to me. "Do you remember Alanna?" He nodded. "She's coming up for it, and a lot of important people will be there, too. Would you like to go?"
A smile lit his lips. "I'll think about it, but thanks for asking."
I smiled, feeling a bit better, knowing that it may take time, but that one day we could be friends.

After he left, I had two other meetings. One was with the CEO of a famous fashion magazine, one of the toughest women in New York. But by the end of our meeting, I had won her over. The other meeting was with a New York music executive who wanted me to create some contracts for him. Word was traveling fast, thanks to Frank, Curt, and, I supposed, Craig.
After my last meeting, I threw some files into my briefcase and snapped it shut, in a hurry to get home and fix dinner for Logan.
"Leaving on time again?" Lynn teased as she shuffled some files on her desk. "Good for you!"
I laughed. Lately, she was taking a bit more risks with the casual talk, but I didn't mind a bit. "Yes. I'm making dinner for Logan tonight."
Her eyes flew open wide. "Logan Ambrose?"
I smiled at her expression as I nodded. "But don't go blabbing it to the tabloids."
She stared at me with her mouth open, but quickly recovered herself. "How do you know him?"
"We used to date years ago," I said as I opened the door, ending the conversation. "Don't stay too late!"
She smiled. "I won't. Have fun tonight!"
I nodded my thanks, and then pulled the door closed behind me, hoping that I hadn't made a mistake by telling her. I imagined waking up in the morning to reporters stalking our building. But I quickly pushed the thought aside as I slipped my briefcase into the back floorboard of my car and headed toward home.