His Secretary: BBW Romance (Her Second Chance Book 1) by Harmony Raines Page B

tonight. Let’s go and have dinner. There’s someone I want you to meet.”
    “We’re not eating alone?” she asked, suddenly very self conscious of her dress. Perhaps she should go and change. But there was no time, he was out of the room, his fingers curled around hers, not realising the effect he had on her. She grabbed her purse, pulling the door shut behind her and trying to keep her composure as they rode the elevator to the ground floor.
    The doors opened, and he stepped out, smiling at a woman who came towards them. She was dressed in simple clothes, a skirt and loose shirt, but these did nothing to take away her beauty. Her colouring was as dark as Oliver’s, in many ways they were a perfect couple, their closeness obvious in the way they were so familiar with each other.
    He embraced her, kissing both her cheeks, and she giggled, bumping into him, their body language relaxed. Helen suddenly felt like the fifth wheel, the odd one out at a party for two. Feeling totally stupid in the effort she had made, and the thoughts that had invaded her mind about an intimate dinner for two, she almost turned tail and ran.
    However, at the moment she decided to bolt, the other woman turned to her, not with eyes full of resentment, but curiosity.
    “Hello. You must be Helen. Oliver has been singing your praises all afternoon.” Her voice was low and seductive, and Helen felt all her self confidence melt away.
    “Hello,” she answered politely.
    “Oliver ... you need to introduce us.” She nudged Oliver into action.
    “Sorry. Helen, this is Katrina. Katrina, I think you’ve already gathered this is Helen.”
    “For an astute business man, Oliver sometimes forgets the fundamental politics of social behaviour.”
    “Katrina is always trying to put mumbo jumbo in my head.” He smiled at Katrina again. “She is the reason I’m so good at reading other people.”
    “Oh, he’s tried that on you has he? I studied psychology before I decided to become a doctor. Oliver and I spent many hours debating what I learned and whether it was of any use. Trust him to turn it into a business tool.”
    “I see. So you’ve known each other for a long time.” All her fears were compounded. She had assumed Oliver didn’t have friends, especially not female friends. He had always given the impression of being a loner. It appeared she had been rubbish at reading him, he had been hiding Katrina from her all this time.
    “Forever,” Katrina said. “I could tell you things about Olly that he’s probably forgotten himself.”
    “I haven’t been called Olly since I was sixteen,” Oliver said rather sulkily.
    “Except by me. I know you hate it, but it’s the perk of being your cousin, there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”
    “Cousin?” Did her voice really come out like that?
    “Yes. I’m Bob’s daughter. The black sheep of the family.”
    “Come on. I’m starving. You can tell Helen your life story over dinner.” Oliver ushered them out of the hotel, they walked along the quiet roads to a restaurant with tables facing the sea. In minutes they were seated, menus in hand, and wine in their glasses. Helen relaxed, Katrina was so friendly, and for a little while she could allow herself to believe this was real, that she fitted in with this class of people.
    Only once in a while did she pick up her phone and check for messages. Or a missed call. Because despite everything, Oliver’s company, and Katrina’s jokes, she missed her children more with each passing moment. Perhaps the stories of Oliver and Katrina’s childhoods were the thing that triggered it, but she hated the thought of missing a single moment of their precious lives.

Chapter Twenty Two - Oliver
    “So why are you the black sheep of the family?” Helen asked as their main course arrived. “I thought you said you were a doctor.”
    “I am. But that’s not what my father had in mind for a child of his. Unfortunately I was his last hope. None of my