‘But-’
‘But nothing. It’s stupid going back there now to wait for a reception you’re not going to get. Let me help.’
Let him help more. He couldn’t believe he was doing this. Was he crazy?
He didn’t get involved-he never got involved-and for him to make this offer…
She had no expectations of him, he thought. He could back away right now. There’d be no repercussions. He’d never hear from this woman again.
But he couldn’t. He stared down at the defiance in her face, and he saw the trace of desperation behind the defiance. There was no way he could walk.
He wanted to help. Come what may. For the very first time in many, many years, Marcus Benson wanted to be involved.
CHAPTER TWO
MARCUS thought he knew women. Marcus was wrong. And so was the shop where he took Peta.
One of the women he’d dated had told him once that the shop stocked fabulous business clothes but Peta hobbled in and looked around in suspicion. The shop assistants reacted the same way.
They smiled at Marcus. They were cautiously and patronisingly polite to the waif he had in tow.
Still, they were here for clothes. Not for pleasantries. Marcus didn’t have time to mess around.
‘Can you fit Peta out in something corporate?’ he asked the assistant and Peta flashed him a look of annoyance.
‘That makes me sound like a Barbie doll. Let’s dress her in Corporate today.’
‘Don’t you want me to help you?’
‘No.’
‘Peta…’
‘All right.’ As the assistant searched the racks for something suitable she flashed him a look that was half apology, but the defiance was still there. ‘I know. You’re being really nice. I’m being really stupid. But this feels…wrong.’
‘It’s sensible. Just do it.’
‘Try this,’ the assistant said, with a bright smile at Marcus. Peta was ignored. She held the suit up against Peta, but it was Marcus who was clearly expected to make the decision.