Lessons in Love Read Free Page B

in front of you.’
    ‘That’s perfectly all right. At least I know you’re human now!’ she joked, trying to make light of his serious mood. He raised his eyebrows at her. The look in his eyes ignited something within her, leaving her breathless. She turned away from him, her heart still hammering fit to burst. The effect he had on her was frightening. Especially now he’d decided to act like a human being.
    ‘And what led you to believe I wasn’t?’
    ‘I had you pegged as one of those Mr Perfect types,’ she said lightly, trying desperately to regain her composure. ‘You know, the sort who never makes a mistake.’
    ‘I can assure you that mistakes are my speciality. The most valuable piece of advice I can give you is that mistakes are the best learning tools you have. Just never let yourself feel like a failure because you say or do something wrong. Learn from it and move on. That’s why I’m where I am today, because I never let the small things get me off track in my career. If you do the same, I can assure you that you’ll succeed at whatever you try.’
    ‘I see. So even someone as pathetic as I can make it in the demanding world of business?’
    ‘If you believe you can. Did you let my attitude toward you affect the way you saw yourself?’
    ‘No. Well, not much. I simply decided to prove you wrong about me. And I will!’ He grinned at her, and Emily felt her insides melt. Her heart was still racing in her chest, and a liquid heat filled her.
    ‘That’s the attitude! It’s people who take it personally and quit as soon as they sense opposition who fail in life. You only succeed if you persist at what you’re doing, and don’t let others dictate your feelings of self worth. And never allow yourself to put up with second best. Here comes Rick Jeffries now. He’s a good man, but he made a mistake and I’m going to make sure he knows it.’
    Rick entered the room, concern on his face at the sight of Nicholas’s grim bearing.
    ‘Hello Mr Cavanaugh. Your car’s fine. I’m dealing with the repairs myself.’
    ‘So I should hope! Such a mistake is unacceptable. It’s lucky I realised the car was losing water before serious damage occurred!’ Emily watched the interaction between the two men with interest. Nicholas clearly dominated the other man, making Rick seem somehow smaller than usual, and the way Rick deferred to Nicholas was almost embarrassing to watch. Emily realised that seeing Nicholas’s interaction with others would be an education in itself.
    Nicholas left the office looking far more satisfied than he had on arrival. He turned once towards Emily, and with a half-smile on his features nodded at her in farewell.
    ‘Everything all right?’ she asked the mechanic as he watched Nicholas stride away.
    ‘Yes, fortunately. I’ll have to give those boys a talking to! There’s no excuse for such clumsiness, and unfortunately I’m the one who’s got to wear it. It’s lucky he didn’t end up with a cracked head!’
    ‘I’m glad you kept hold of your temper then!’ she said with a giggle. ‘You could have made quite a mess.’ The mechanic’s sombre expression lightened, and he laughed.
    ‘I hope you realise I was referring to the engine!’
    ‘Of course.’ She grinned
    ‘At least your car’s fixed and you’re free to go. I’ll give you the key and send you out the invoice in the mail.’
    ‘Thanks a lot,’ she replied. ‘I’ll see you later.’ She walked over to her car and climbed in. It purred like a kitten as she started the engine, and she drove home feeling lighter in her heart.
     
    ‘You’re finally home! Let’s eat!’ Steven’s enthusiasm made her laugh.
    ‘Hang on!’ she said. ‘I just got here.’ She shook her head as she looked at her brother and sister, trying to remember when she had been as young and full of energy and excitement as they were. ‘It’s been a long day. I had not just one, but two encounters with the infamous Nicholas