The Exposure by Tara Sue Me Page A

what my life would be like if I’d made other choices. If I’d decided not to help him, that it was every man for himself. If I’d gone for the job instead of coaching himfor it. If I sat in front of a camera rather than sitting behind a desk.”
    â€œDo you want his job?”
    â€œI wouldn’t turn it down. The invitation really shouldn’t bother me the way it has. He’s done a good job. He should be recognized for it. But, like I said, most days I’m content. Truly.”
    There was so much more to life than merely being content, especially since from where he sat, she was trying to convince herself she was even that. He’d tell her that one day, but now wasn’t the time. “Will you go to his celebratory dinner?”
    â€œYes, I will. Not so much because I want to, but because it would hurt his feelings if I didn’t. I’ve always been there for him in the past. This is a big deal. I should go. Besides, if I don’t, people will talk about how I’m jealous and couldn’t swallow my pride enough to go to a lousy dinner.”
    â€œSounds like an absolute fright.”
    â€œIt will be.” She stopped shoveling her food around and tilted her head. “Will you go with me?”
    Just as soon as the words left her mouth, she clamped her lips shut, as if she couldn’t believe she’d asked the question.
    â€œTo the absolutely frightful celebratory dinner?” He lifted an eyebrow. “Are you sure you want
me
to go?”
    â€œYes.” She nodded, apparently having decided not to renege on her offer. “It’ll be so much better with you there. I hate going to functions like that alone.”
    Even though there had been less animosity between the two of them, he knew she wasn’t asking him as a real date. No, she simply didn’t want to show up alone. He would be acting as her support, not her date. Frankly, he thought she’d spent enough time by herself; she needed to get out more. Enjoy life.
    â€œWhen is it?” he asked.
    â€œNext Saturday night. Oh, I wasn’t thinking. It’s a Saturday. In Manhattan. Damn. We might need to move our session up so I . . . we . . . can go. If it’s okay with you.”
    Her words sent his imagination into hyperspeed. Forget having the session before. All he could think about was Meagan in the moonlight. First in her evening gown and then totally nude, bathed by the light of a thousand stars. “Yes, I’ll go with you.” His voice sounded rough and he cleared his throat. “Except we’ll do the session outside,afterward.”

Chapter Four
    M eagan looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror on the back of her bathroom door and frowned. Not because she looked bad, but because she actually
cared
what she looked like. But it was more than that. She wanted to know what he would think. Would he like the gown she’d selected?
    Normally, everyone wore black to these functions. There was the occasional woman who wore silver or red. In fact, she’d planned to wear a silver gown herself. But she had been window-shopping and this gown had caught her eye. She’d marched into the store and asked for it in her size, telling herself the entire time it had nothing to do with
him.
Luke.
    But of course, deep down, she knew it had everything to do with Luke. She ran her hands down her sides and took a deep breath; then she looked at herself again.
    The gown was a pale pink, with delicate sheer fabric covering one shoulder. And though the bottom of the gown barelybrushed the tops of her heels, there was a slit on the left side that rose dangerously high up her thigh. Luke had been right—the color was fabulous on her.
    She turned to look at the back and gave a nod of satisfaction, right as her doorbell rang. She’d told Luke that she could meet him at the party, but he’d said no, he would come by her apartment and pick