Secret Moves(38)

"Sure. That's not a problem. Well, since I dragged you here at this time of the evening, how about I take you out to dinner?"

"Oh, that's not necessary. You already gave me a job," she answered with a laugh.

"Do you have other plans tonight?"

"Well, I did have plans but I had to cancel them—"

"Great! Consider dinner as a celebration of you getting the job and of me finding the perfect person. I insist."

She stared at Blake, unsure of what to do. She was supposed to accompany Trey to his mother's engagement party tonight. But when she got Blake's phone call, she'd told Trey she couldn't go with him. She didn't tell him the reason why, only that something came up and she'd tell him about it later. She just had this overwhelming desire to surprise him if Blake's news was positive.

Trey had been quick to let her know it was okay, and that he'd try to have fun at his mum's party without her.

Now that she had the Sydney job, she couldn't wait to see Trey's reaction when she told him. But since he was at a party tonight, it would have to wait until tomorrow.

Well, it should only be a quick dinner with Blake, and since she had to eat anyway she couldn't see any harm in joining him. Blake's news did call for a celebration, and besides, she wanted to be on his good side so she could remain as his favoured candidate for the full-time positions.

"Okay, if you insist," she finally said to Blake with a gracious smile.





*******



Kris glanced around the Italian restaurant Blake took her to. Trey had mentioned this place to her the other day, saying he'd love to take her there. It had a warm and cosy, yet elegant, atmosphere. If the food was as good as Trey said it was, little wonder it was very popular.

"So," Blake said after they'd ordered. "Is there anything you'd need help with for your move here in two weeks? Do you already have accommodation?"

"I'll probably ask my friend Jasmine and her husband Kane if I could stay with them for the next three months. They're the ones I'm currently house-sitting for."

"What about your friends here in Potts Point? Won't they have room for you?"

She smiled, thinking how wonderful it would be if she could stay with Trey. But she was afraid of scaring him off if she suggested it.

"They have guest rooms, but I don't think it would work if I'm around for three months," she answered Blake. "Jasmine and Kane's place is the best choice. Their house is massive, and they have plenty of spare rooms, so I won't feel like I'm intruding on their privacy. I might still decide to find a one-bedder or a studio apartment nearby, though, depending on how much the rent would be. Inner city rents are very expensive, especially around here."

"Yes, they are, although with the convenience of not having to commute, it might be a good idea to find a place nearby. I'll ask around for you, if you want. I have some contacts in the real estate market."

"That'll be good. Thanks, Blake. I really appreciate all this, you know."

"Please don't mention it. I'd love to help you any way I can. If there's anything at all you need, promise you'll ask me?" he asked softly.

Blake's gaze was a tad too serious and a little too intense that Kris was glad when their dishes arrived.

She kept the discussion centred on dancing and choreography as they ate their meal. While he seemed to be at pains to hide it, she was pretty sure Blake was interested in her. She didn't want to encourage him, but at the same time she wanted to develop a friendly, easy-going professional relationship with him. After all, he was giving her the best career opportunity she'd had since she sold her own business.

"By the way," Blake said as he signalled for the bill. "After this I have a surprise for you."

Kris eyed him suspiciously. "A surprise?"

"Yes. More accurately, I'm taking you somewhere else."

"Um, I really have to go home after this, Blake," she said uncomfortably.

"I know this is all totally unexpected, but you really have to go with me to this place," Blake insisted.

She shook her head. "Sorry, Blake. I can't."

He sighed. "Well, I guess I have to tell you what it's about now. I plan to take you to a special private party for a couple of people. They'll be among the first clients you'll work with."

She frowned. "Why is it such a surprise? Wouldn't I be meeting them in two weeks anyway?"

"Oh, but they're not just your ordinary clients," he said, before mentioning the names of two of Australia's biggest international movie stars.

"Get out of here!" she said with disbelief, her jaw dropping to the floor.

He chuckled. "Well, once I've paid for dinner, we will get out of here and meet your mega-star students. They'll be filming a movie that involves some dancing, and that's where we come in. I had to really beg and pull some strings before I got the green light to take you with me to tonight's affair. Obviously, with their profiles, this party is strictly by invitation only. I had to convince them that you being there tonight was important since you're my sidekick for this project. They need to get to know you just as much as they already know me."