Love.com by Karolyn Cairns Page A

looked guilty at that moment. She definitely over-liked Ian, and did it overtime.
    “Don’t ever let this guy in on how you really feel until he catches up to you, Em. Guys are terrified of that shit. They feel too pressured. It’ll kill it every time if you let on. I know we rush ahead, but you have to hold back.”
    Emily said nothing, knowing she already committed that gross error a hundred times over in her own mind. She definitely over-liked Ian Sawyer to the point of it being ridiculous. How could she ever stop and wait for him to catch up? She was a million miles ahead of him now.
    The fact he gave her no indication he even saw her as a desirable woman reminded her she had much to do to convince him otherwise. Somehow she had to get Ian interested in her, make him see her as more than he did at that moment.
    She left the gym and headed home, feeling less enthusiastic. Once there, she decided to avoid checking her profile page on Love.com, too depressed over Joan’s words to allow the emails to comfort her flagging spirits.
    Emily soaked in her think tank until she turned into a prune, dwelling on her over-liking Ian Sawyer. Was she going crazy? She thought of this practical stranger more than her dead husband, and knew it was wrong, even unfair to Eddie, who no longer required her consideration.
    She leaned forward, reminded by what Joan said in the sauna. It was pathetic what she was considering; diabolical even in its manipulation. She was better than that—and yet—she wanted to be seen. She wanted Ian to stand up and take notice, even look again, as if he’d just seen her for the first time.
    Emily wasted no time second-guessing her plan. She got out of the tub and went to the computer. Cringing in disbelief at what she was doing, she concluded her business and went to bed, her last waking thought of Ian.

Chapter Nine
     
    Emily appeared as stunned as her coworkers when the roses arrived, delivered at lunchtime when everyone was sure to see them. They were perched on her desk with an elaborate lavender bow around the vase. Every female eye seemed glued to them. What was it about getting flowers delivered to you at work that brought out the envy in most women?
    The covetous looks were ill-disguised and made her feel better for having them sent to her now . One hundred dollars didn’t buy much , Emily thought with a smirk, eyeing the vase of flowers with a shake of her head. She could have bought ten rose bushes for what the bouquet cost her.
    The roses were pink and white hybrids with a floral mix blended in. They were delightful. They filled up her office with their aromatic odor. She could see the roses were the talk of the office, everyone asking who sent them to Emily. They appeared curious and bemused as the day wore on. Good. She wanted them all to wonder. She glanced over and saw Ian looking at her bouquet with a strange look on his face.
    To say he was stunned she received flowers from an admirer was evident. He seemed just as surprised as everyone else. She reviled in what she imagined he was thinking, boosted considerably thinking it might bother him, just a little.
    After a few minutes, Ian rose and approached her office, smiling as he took in the elaborate bouquet. “Nice flowers, Emily.”
    “Thanks .” She smiled in what she hoped was pure delight. “They are nice, aren’t they?”
    “What did you have to do to get them? Come on, you can tell me. Did you put out or what?” The impertinent, rude question took Emily off balance.
    She glared at his insinuation. “Why would I have to put out to get flowers? Is it so hard to believe a guy does it ‘just because’ and not for sex?”
    “I’ve gone that route before .” Ian rolled his eyes with a sarcastic laugh. “Didn’t work out for me too well, I recall.”
    “Maybe you sent them to the wrong girl,” Emily observed, her eyes meeting his deliberately over the vase of flowers in question.
    “Yeah, maybe you’re right about