CHAPTER TEN

 

A few days later, Cal met her in the hallway as she returned from work.

"How was your day?" he asked.

"Hectic," she answered, truthfully. This had been a busy week as several of the firm's cases were ready for trial. "You look as tired as I do," she said in earnest.

"It's almost Christmas," he said, "and the store has been flooded with more women than men."

Macey chuckled. She, herself, had visited the store on Cal's day off and purchased a Christmas gift for him. "Christmas shoppers," she consoled. Most forget the real meaning of the word Christmas. It's Christ's birth day."

The expression in Cal's eyes warmed. "You know, sweets, of late there's something real grown-up about you."

"It's what happens when you're on your own and there's no one to coddle you," Macey said, nose turning up. She didn't realize how that gesture affected Cal, that is, until he unexpectedly drew near, and placed a gentle kiss on the tip of her nose.

"Friday is your birthday. Do you have plans?"

Some of the self-assurance left her. She glanced down at the tips of her black winter boots. Day after day she expected to find him, Mr. Right, the man of her dreams who would fall head over heels in love with her. But as seemed to be her curse, none of the young men who fit that image at the firm, or even at the fast food restaurants where she bought lunch, did more than smile at her, exchange polite conversation, and walk away. A couple of young bucks had asked her for a date. She'd smiled appreciatively, but told them she was busy that week. They hadn't asked her again, no doubt seeing through her excuse and realizing from the tone of her voice, she wasn't interested in them. And then there had been that disastrous episode with Lucas. Cal was the only one who never gave up.

She glanced up, an unusual humbleness in her gaze. "Not a one," she told him.

Would you like to go to dinner with me?" Before she could answer he added, "As always, Macey, no strings attached."

He need not have added that remark. She intended accepting his offer for dinner. But used to her rejections, he had assumed her reply. She couldn't really blame him.

"The Nelsons plan to celebrate my birthday with dinner at their apartment over the weekend," she told him. "They have been extra busy this week working on a particularly complicated brief. But I'd like to celebrate my twenty-first on its actual day. Yes, Cal, I'd like to go out to dinner with you on Friday."

He nodded his approval. "I'll pick you up at eight. There's this elegant dine and dance restaurant further uptown I think you'd like, The Rose Slipper, owned by a friend of my mom."

"Sounds nice. Okay," Macey said. "I look forward to it."

Cal waited until she entered her apartment and said goodnight to him, before walking down past the three apartments to his own.

Locking the door behind her, Macey took off her coat and her snow boots, and wiggled her toes as she slid her feet into furry slippers. She plunked down on her red gabardine couch. At least she would be celebrating her twenty-first with a man she liked and trusted, one who cared for her as no other, except for her parents, of course. She always felt comfortable with Cal, as comfortable as she hoped to feel with Mr. Right, when he finally showed.