Read Online Blaze's Second Chance (The Sinclair Men) by Sam Crescent - Free Book Online

and design were too lovely to ignore
    “There’s nothing to tell. I left their employ over three years ago, and I started up my own business. Chris helped me. He’s a godsend, and I wouldn’t have done anything without him.” She held onto the skirt. At least she could try it on.
    “You think so?” Cassie heard the sarcasm in her friend’s voice and turned to see the other woman staring intently at the shoe section. “I think you need heels with that skirt.” Erica pulled out a pair of six inch stiletto heels.
    “You’re having a laugh if you think I can walk in them.” The women shopped for a couple of minutes before moving to the changing areas. “What do you have against Chris?” she asked when they both tried on a dress and came out to get the other’s opinion.
    “Purple is not your colour, and I’ve got nothing against him,” Erica said.
    They walked back into the rooms and changed. Cassie put on the white skirt with the pastel blue crop top she’d found.
    Erica was waiting. “Wow.  You look beautiful.”
    Cassie smiled and walked over to where the other woman stood. “Erica, you can tell me.”
    “I’m hungry.” Erica made to walk off, but Cassie stopped her. “Okay. How about we get some lunch, and then we’ll talk. You’ll spill the beans on what happened before you left, and I’ll tell you my issue.”
    “Deal.”
    Thirty minutes later they entered an Italian style restaurant and found a private booth toward the back.
    “I love it here. It’s nothing like the city,” Erica said.
    “I know. I think I’m going to look for a house or something. The city is great for getting from A to B. But I want a place to start putting down roots. I love the beach as well.”
    A waiter took their orders. They both agreed on the pasta puttanesca followed by chocolate torte.
    “You go first.” Erica took a bread stick out of the pot. Cassie took one for herself and glanced around the busy restaurant.
    “You remember that Christmas party I did. The only one?” Cassie asked.
    “Yes. The best party anyone had been to.”
    “Well, when everyone left – and you’ve got to promise to keep this to yourself.” Erica did the cross over her heart. “I had sex with Blaze Sinclair on his desk.” 
    Cassie watched as her friend’s eyes opened wider, and she took a huge bite out of the bread stick.
    “Anyway, I left for the two week holidays, and when I came back I found out that not only had the boss used me but he was engaged to be married. And his fiancée was carrying his child. As you can imagine, it was not the highlight of my life.” Cassie stopped and thanked the waiter when he brought out their coffees.
    “You mean to tell me that three years ago the boss screwed you while he had a made up family waiting in the wings?”
    “Seems that way.”
    Minutes later, their dinner was brought out. It was the fastest service Cassie had ever had.
    “Chris was my rock. He helped me get another job and start up my business. We’re best friends, and he offered me this trip for rest. As you know, Chris is a matchmaker, and I think he wants me and Blaze to get together.”
    Both women dug into their pasta, and Cassie was thankful she didn’t have to be conscious of how much she ate. Erica was a wonderful woman to be around. Cassie felt guilty.  She hadn’t kept in touch over the years.
    The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, and it gave her time to think about what Blaze had said the night before. She looked forward to spending time with him and getting to know the new man he’d become.
    Once they were finished with their pasta the waiter came and took their plates away. Cassie sipped her coffee while Erica stared out of the window.
    “Spill. It’s your time to tell your Sinclair tale.”
    Erica turned back to stare at her, and Cassie noted the pain on the woman’s face. When would she see a woman who was happy with one of those men? First Molly, then herself , and now Erica.
    “I began working for