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in.
    “God, could I use a drink,” Christa said as I pulled the door shut behind us. I was thinking the same thing.
    Upon reaching the ground floor, I immediately noticed Rand seated at the bar. My heart did a little flutter when he turned his attention to me, his smile and dimples giving him a sort of boyish quality. He stood up and started toward us, his stride long and purposeful. The dark blue of his suit and grey of his collared shirt lent him a definite business look—I certainly would never use the word “casual” to describe Rand. I suddenly wished I’d taken Christa’s advice and worn something a little more daring. But this was work, not play, and I was who I was.
    Humph, take that inferiority complex!
    Rand gave sta a cursory glance as she flitted before him like a moth trapped by a flame.
    “I made reservations at a Japanese restaurant,” he said in his sexy accent.
    “Great! I love sushi!” Christa sang.
    I guess she figured since I wasn’t going to go after Rand, she would. I was quick to subdue the pointed fingers of jealousy jabbing me in the gut—it was none of my concern and what’s more, their getting together was probably inevitable.
    “Why don’t you both wait inside while I hail a taxi?” Rand asked, motioning to the fury of the rain outside.
    “I’ll go with you, a little rain never bothered me,” Christa chirped.
    She sidled up to Rand and led him outside while I followed behind. He turned toward me, offering his arm, but I waved it away, not wanting to infringe on Christa’s kill. The overhang of the hotel awning did nothing to hold back the rain as it surfed the wind and threw itself against me. I wiped the sting from my cheeks and watched Rand flag down a cab.
    The cab stopped before us, and Rand opened the door. Christa crawled inside, making sure to stick her ass out as she bent over. I couldn’t keep the frown from pulling at the corners of my mouth. Sometimes she was so obvious. I hazarded a glance at Rand, imagining he’d be mesmerized by the sight before him, but he met my expression with an embarrassed smile.
    “This weather makes me feel quite at home,” he said with a grin as I climbed in beside Christa and Rand settled himself next to me.
    Ah yes, he was embarrassed. When business partner’s friend sticks her ass in your face, discussing the weather is the best line of recourse.
    The cab pulled away from the curb, and we were off.
    “Is the weather in England so bad?” I asked, knowing the answer would be a resounding yes, but I was just trying to make conversation.
    “The sky can be blue and five minutes later, you’ll find yourself amid a hail storm.”
    “That sorta sounds like Washington weather,” Christa said and rammed her elbow into my side, apparently annoyed that I was sitting between them. “I’ve always wanted to go to England,” she continued, her voice back to sultry, as if she hadn’t just assaulted her best friend.
    Rand smiled and I felt the need to throw Christa a bone. “Christa’s a photographer,” I started. Well, it wasn’t really like she was a full-blown photographer—it was more of a hobby, but you’ve gotta start somewhere.
    “Is that so?” Rand asked.
    Christa nodded emphatically. “I’ve been saving up to take a trip abroad, so I can really get some great shots…you know, expand my portfolio. I was thinking Italy or Spain, but maybe I should try England.”
    I didn’t respond but inwardly shook my head at Christa’s lack of subtlety. When the cab slowed to a stop, I looked out the window and found we’ve bived at our destination. The cabbie opened our door, and if he were a cartoon, his eyes would’ve bulged out of their sockets and his tongue would’ve unraveled to the floor when Christa stood up before him. I wondered, at that moment, what it must be like to have such control over the opposite sex. Christa was pretty, as I said before, but I think it was more in how she carried herself. I was just as pretty,