A date?  How would she be able to find a date? Her boss knew she just moved to Boston from Austin, Texas.  Heck Kaily barely knew her secretary’s name.  Now she only had a week to find a date.  She glanced around the luxury apartment Smith, Barney and Killigan set her up in until she could find a permanent place.  The furnished apartment was beautiful, the modern furniture tasteful and the décor impeccable.  Kaily however missed her Midwestern, country-flavor furniture.  It would all be shipped as soon as she found a permanent home.  Pushing aside her momentary homesickness, Kaily again focused on the task at hand.  OK, a list of all the places she visited which may hold the possibility of a date:

Grocery Store

Law Library

Post Office

Deli

Kaily you have got to get out more, she thought to herself.  Let’s see, the grocery store…no one really sprang to mind there. 

The Law Library was a possibility except it was hard to get the paralegals or other attorneys to talk about anything not remotely associated with whatever case they were currently working on.

The Post Office-well she could always stand outside with a clip board like those petitioners.  Yeah, that would give her a great reputation in town.

The Deli-well, she was hungry.  Maybe she’d think a little better with some food in her stomach.

Kaily stepped inside the small neighborhood deli, her senses instantly assailed by smells of freshly made bread.  Glancing quickly around the room, she did not see one available man.  Scanning the menu, Kaily decided to order a bowl of Clam Chowder.  Stepping up to the counter, Kaily began to give her order.  As she looked up, words stuck in her throat.  Kaily found herself staring into the most beautiful blue eyes she’d ever seen.

“Ma’am, um, did you want to order?” he asked in a mixture of Boston and Irish accent.

“Oh, yes, I’m sorry.  I’d like a bowl of the Boston Clam Chowder please,” Kaily recovered. Quickly grabbing her soup, Kaily found a small table in the corner where she could watch the cashier without being too conspicuous.  It was like he was the answer to her prayers.  Now she just needed him to see that as well.  Screwing up her courage, Kaily approached the counter during a lull.

“Hi, my name is Kaily and um, well, this is going to sound really strange, but I need a date for a New Year’s Eve party at my boss’s house.  I’m new in town and I don’t really know anyone.  I was wondering if you were available?” she gushed without taking a breath.

“Wow.  Well, if you have a few more minutes, I’m off soon and we can talk,” the man answered.

Kaily returned to her seat and nervously waited for him to join her.  Several minutes later his replacement entered the Deli; a beautiful blonde with long legs and crystal blue eyes.  Watching the two embrace, Kaily kicked herself.  What made her think a gorgeous guy like that would be free?  Sighing heavily, she started to leave when she felt a hand wrap around her arm.  Turning, she saw him. 

“I thought you were going to wait for me,” he smiled.

“Well, I didn’t think your girlfriend would appreciate us being together.  Especially since I asked you out.”

“She’s not my girlfriend.  So why don’t we take a seat and see what we can do about your party.  My name is Bastian, in case you were wondering.”

Kaily turned ten shades of red before she could regain eye contact with him.  Instead of seeing humor or pity reflected in his eyes, she saw a spark of desire.  The same desire she felt for him the moment she spied him behind the counter.

Kaily and Bastian spent the better part of an hour just talking.  She found herself telling him about her life back in Texas and how a failed relationship and fantastic job offer led her to Boston.  Bastian found himself agreeing to attend her boss’s Christmas party.

One week later Kaily looked unbelieving in the mirror.  Gone was the mousey, shy southern bell.  Instead Kaily stared at the reflection of a vixen.  She’d gone all out in the pampering department for this party.  She wanted to make a great impression on her boss.  Snagging a good-looking date was the icing on the cake.  Smiling, Kaily left her vanity to answer the door as soon as she heard the bell.

Bastian picked his jaw off the floor when Kaily opened her apartment door.  Standing in front of him was one very hot lady wearing a stunning red dress cut low in the front to reveal her tantalizing cleavage.  The back was completely bare.  Clinging to her hips, the dress fell in cascades of satin down to the floor.

“You look beautiful,” he whispered.

Kaily smiled shyly then took the elbow offered her.  Bastian led her to a waiting limo.  She opened her mouth to question him when he cut her off.

“You said you wanted to make a good impression,” he shrugged.

Soon they arrived at Mr. John Killigan’s home.  Taking a deep breath, Kaily allowed Bastian to lead her to the front door.  She had told Bastian she wanted to make a good impression on her boss, but neither Bastian nor her boss knew the real reason for her desire to impress.  Both would know soon enough however.

As the door opened, Kaily steeled herself for the bomb she was about to drop.  Instead of facing her boss however, Kaily was met by an elegant, self-assured woman.

“Hello, my name is Kathleen Killigan.  I am John’s wife,” she said as she ushered the young couple into her home.

Kaily focused on putting one foot in front of the other.  This was truly unexpected.  Kaily wanted to make her announcement, have Mr. Killigan take her into his small home office and speak with her there.  She did not plan for coming face to face with his wife.