She saw his look of disappointment, and a longing washed over her. She’d love to cave and test the waters of romance with Greg, but it was a foolish idea.
The irony of falling for an upwardly mobile lawyer pushed too many old buttons. Greg represented a side of law that struck first and asked questions later. After losing her father, she couldn’t take that lightly.
She shook her head. “The store is booked solid tomorrow, and while Meghan’s a walking historical textbook and I’m glad you hired her, she’s technologically challenged.”
He studied her face as she spoke, and the intensity of his gaze made her long to just say yes, to talk with him. Laugh with him. Commiserate over his losses and enjoy the gentle man living inside the tough-guy suit.
“Understood.” Greg turned and walked up front, back to the designated tuxedo area.
Disappointment filled her. She wanted him to convince her, talk her into going out together.
He didn’t. He walked away, which only deepened her frustration. He started taking measurements as if inches and feet were the most important things in the world, and she went back to the bridesmaids’ gowns, wondering if she’d just blown a chance at something amazing, and knowing she didn’t dare find out.
She wanted to say yes. Greg could tell by the look in her eyes. And still she said no. Leaving Tara to think about her refusal gave Greg time to do the same, except he was pretty sure he didn’t need time. When he wasn’t with Tara, he was thinking about Tara.
His phone rang. He glanced at the Manhattan number and answered quickly. “Greg Elizondo.”
“Greg, this is Marc Mitchum from the New York office. How are you?”
His heart skipped into faster gear. He set down the tape measure and pretended to be calm, because Friday night calls from New York weren’t the norm. “Fine, sir. And you?”
“I’m good, but I’ve got a few things to talk with you about. I know it’s Friday, and Bert told me you’d gone home, so I hope this isn’t an intrusion.”
Marc had been talking to one of the Philadelphia execs about Greg? Greg’s expectations escalated as Marc continued, “We’ve got an opening here in the downtown Manhattan office, and I know you were interested in being here years ago. Your résumé has come across my desk, so I’m assuming you still have your eye on New York?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good!” Mitchum’s voice pitched up. “I liked what I saw the first time around, but we weren’t looking at new grads that year. With our current updates, I’m pleased to revisit your work history.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“You’re welcome. We’re meeting to review applications first thing on Monday. I wanted you apprised. We’ll notify candidates about interviews at some point following our initial screening.”
“Yes, sir.”
He hung up the phone and turned. Kathy was watching him from the front desk. “Good news?”
“New York. They’re interviewing for new positions. I’m on the list.”
She rounded the desk and hugged him, and that made him miss his mother more. “Greg, how exciting! What you’ve always wanted, a chance to show your stuff in New York.”
“Yes . . .”
The moment he said it, Tara appeared in the bridal room with another customer, a bride. She was fluffing the train of a fairly inexpensive gown, and even though her commission rose based on sales figures, nothing in her manner said she wanted the bride to trade up.
Kathy followed the direction of his gaze. “She’s such a wonderful addition to this store.”
He nodded, unsure what to say.
“It’s rare to meet a person that comfortable with themselves these days,” Kathy continued. “Although she absolutely hates the idea of being a lawyer, so that’s problematic because graduation isn’t far off. No offense,” she added as she bumped shoulders with him.
“None taken. She’s got a flair for bridal.”
“And a heart of gold.”
And he didn’t, which made him undeserving.
Tara’s warmth and common sense set her apart. Was that what intrigued him? Besides the bright and engaging smile, of course, and the great figure, and the skirts that swished when she walked.
His friends would love her, but she’d take one look at his power-hungry coworkers and recognize the lack of everything except money.