She wondered how Jamie would feel if she told him that the only man who’d revved her engines was likely one of his clients. “There’s no one.”
“Really?” Jamie looked at her like he didn’t believe her.
“Really.” Calling what she felt for that bad boy “interest” didn’t come close to describing it. “Regardless, I don’t have time for a social life, especially at the moment. The mediation is in less than three weeks. Between the pre-trial prep and making sure my client is ready for the court date, I have no time for something like dating.”
Jamie leaned forward, his elbows on his knees and his hands steepled in front of him. “I’m not going to tell you how to do your job. But you came here to have me help you win, so I’m going to help guide you to that.”
“Going on a date isn’t going to help me win against my father.”
“I beg to differ.” He smiled suddenly. “If Rachel were here, she’d tell me I’m jumping the gun. So for the time being, let’s just leave that. But itistrue that we need to find something that’s going to relax you. You tense up the moment we start talking about your father.”
She gritted her teeth.
He pointed at her mouth. “Like that.”
She shook her head. “Going on dates is hardly a relaxing endeavor for most women I know.”
“I’m not talking about diving into the deep end with someone. I’m talking about a little friendly conversation over dinner to unwind and get your mind off obsessing about this case.”
She crossed her arms, wanting to argue with him about that, but she’d put her trust in them and if that’s what they believed would help her, she had to at least try. Except going on a date didn’t have to be her only way to relax. “What if I suggest a different way to unwind?”
“A counteroffer?” Jamie looked intrigued. “I’d be interested to see what you come up with. Give me a list.”
“A list?” She cracked a smile. “I thought I could offer to take a bath and leave it at that.”
Jamie chuckled. “Nice try.” He stood up. “Bring the list when you come in tomorrow. Come up with a couple things you can do with Didier too.”
“Tomorrow?” she repeated, standing as well. With a sinking feeling, she asked, “What time?”
“Same time.” Jamie grinned.
“Machiavelli must have looked like you when he was pleased with himself,” she muttered as she slipped into her coat.
The man laughed. “If this were easy, you would have done it on your own.” Sobering, he touched her arm. “I’m getting a clearer picture of what you need.”
She stared into his eyes, feeling oddly vulnerable. She swallowed the feeling back, pulling her determination around her. “Do you think I have a chance?”
“You have more than a chance,” he replied gently. “The real question is, when you’re presented with it, will you go for it?”
“Yes,” she said firmly.
Jamie studied her, not saying anything. Then he said, “See you tomorrow. Don’t forget to do your homework.”
“Yes, sir,” she said wryly. Picking up her bag, she glanced at Didier, who inclined his head and said something in French.
Mental note: learn a few French words.Nodding at them both, she strode out of the office.
A list of diversions. What did she know about relaxing? She hadn’t relaxed a day in her life. She strode down the hall, wishing she could have Moira put it together for her.
At the elevator, she pushed the button and waited for it to arrive, knowing she was already getting worked up about this assignment and not sure how to head that off. The elevator door opened and she started to move inside.
“You,” she heard in that whiskey-soaked voice that had whispered to her in her dreams.
She looked up, right into the striking eyes of the bad boy from the other day.
Six
Hand holding the elevator open, Danny stared into the dark eyes of his woman and knew this had to be a sign.