Why did Sam's perfect face and even more perfect body spring to mind? She could call him. At least she'd know for sure if Pheramour worked. He wasn't the sort of man who'd usually be interested in a boring scientist so any extra attention he gave her would be a positive indicator.
She filled a container with some Pheramour, sealed it tightly and placed it in her briefcase. She closed the lab door with a loud sigh. She really didn't want to do this. They should have waited.
But she had no choice. She didn't want to be unemployed. There weren't many jobs for scientists in Melbourne, let alone Australia. Although she might find something quickly, her inexperienced junior colleagues probably wouldn't be as lucky.
By the time she'd reached her car in the parking lot, Maddie had considered all the positives and negatives. The pros outweighed the cons but not by much.
She'd do it, and Sam would have to be her subject. She didn't particularly want to hang out in singles bars, nor did she want to create problems with her ex-boyfriends. Any more problems, that is. No point stirring up old emotions that could lead to trouble on completion of the trial.
If Pheramour worked—and she was reasonably confident it did—Sam would instantly lose any attraction to her when she stopped using it. He'd probably be relieved to find out it was just an experiment and not his real emotions. Men like him don't want to fall for one woman, especially a nerdy woman.
And she wasn't likely to fall under his spell. As a teenager, yes, but not as an adult. She was much too mature now for the likes of Sam Hennessy.
CHAPTER 4
Sam stretched out his legs under Pete and Linda's kitchen table, keeping one eye on little Ronan crawling faster than some people can walk towards the cupboards. He pulled at the handle of one but it caught on something and wouldn't open more than half an inch.
"Child locks are the best thing ever invented," Linda said, following Sam's gaze.
Ronan repeated the procedure again and again. Each time the door closed with a bang, making Ronan blink.
Sam watched, fascinated. The little guy was cute, his entire attention devoted to opening the door and watching it shut again. It was as if nothing else existed in his world.
"Doesn't he realize it won't open?" Sam asked.
"Sure he does," Linda said. "He just likes the noise. It's fun."
Ronan giggled at a particularly loud bang and Sam couldn't help smiling. Yeah, real cute.
"So what do you think of my little sister?"
Whoa, thanks for the warning. Linda certainly didn't like beating around the bush. He should've been prepared. Linda had always been the blunt one at high school, getting the gang in trouble with her brutally honest observations and candid questions. She was the complete opposite to her shy sister. If Maddie had any brutal observations, she kept them firmly to her chest.
He groaned. Do NOT think about Maddie’s chest. He’d barely been able to keep his eyes off it all evening over dinner.
He shrugged. "She seems nice. Different to how I remember."
It was just Linda, Sam and her youngest two children at home. David was at kindergarten and Pete at work. Linda had called Sam and asked him to do her a favor. A cup of coffee and a piece of cake later, he was still waiting to hear the favor. He was in no hurry, but Linda's delaying tactics intrigued him. Her reference to Maddie had finally answered that question.
"Different how?" Linda prompted, steering Ronan away from the cupboard.
Sam shrugged one shoulder. "Older, I suppose."
"Fifteen years will do that to a person."
He gave her a wry look. "I mean more mature, more..." he searched for the right word, "...comfortable with herself."
"Maddie? Really?" Linda blinked back at him.
"You disagree?"
"No! Well, maybe a little. To me she's just my geeky little sister. Although the geekiness has lessened over the years."
It sure had. Sam hadn't seen any of the awkwardness Maddie had possessed as a teenager. Not that he remembered a great deal of her as a kid. They hadn't socialized together much. She'd just sort of been there. Linda's quiet, little sister, always hanging around, much to her big sister's annoyance. Sam had never minded though.
"I guess she's a little uptight still," he conceded, remembering her vehement defence of her work.
Linda snorted. "You said it." She cocked her head to one side, a cheeky grin brightening her attractive features. "Maybe you could help her relax..."
"Me? How?"
Emily entered the kitchen and asked her mother to tie a bow in Barbie's hair. The task completed, she left again. "Oh, I don't know," Linda said. "Take her out maybe. Help her have a good time."
Aha, so that was the favor. "Like on a date?"