He hadn’t actually answered her question. Her desire to press him again, for an answer—was it a need for information, or her way of searching for a wedge to spread them further apart?
—
She’d felt the change in their connection too. Jack was sure of it. It was different, deeper. And thanks to his lack of control, it was going to be harder than ever to untangle.
He scrambled for a topic of conversation. “What’s going on at work?” He winced at his own foolish question.
She stepped to the ledge and leaned over slightly. The wind caught her hair and whipped it through the darkness. “The whole Anderson thing. There’s another person who might get the promotion and if he does, I’ll never live it down. There’s that and, well…”
He rubbed her shoulders in slow circular motions.
She glanced at him. “A friend of mine’s having a hard time with something. I can’t really do anything to help her. I hate feeling helpless like that.”
Ms. Malone? His chest tensed.
She sighed. “It’s this legal thing. Sexual harassment. I don’t know much about that stuff. All I can do is give her support and hope she does something about it.”
He shouldn’t let her continue but he had to know the answer to just one question. Pulling her robe over her shoulders, he asked. “Does the guy hassle everyone?” Holding back his urgency to know, he added, “You?”
“No, he’s a real creep but tricky. He picks on my friend because she’s quiet. She can’t fight back because she’s afraid of losing her job. The owners think he’s this great accountant but he’s really just an excellent liar.”
Excellent liar.
Guilt poured over him as he realized how easily he too lied.
“It’s getting late.” She cast him a shy smile as she stifled a yawn. “Want me to walk you out?”
“No.” He kissed her lightly on the mouth. “I want to remember you here, by the rail.”
Turning back to admire the night skyline, she whispered goodnight and he let himself out.
That hole Jack had dug himself had gotten a few digs deeper.
Chapter Thirteen
The ham and cheese takeout sandwich Jack ate for lunch was not sitting well in his stomach. He kept telling himself that it was because he’d eaten it while driving through the heavy afternoon traffic and followed it with a large Coke but that wasn’t really the reason.
He set his feet on top of his too-bare desk. The view from his window wasn’t anything spectacular but at least it gave him something to focus on. At least there were some people out there working and getting ahead in their chosen careers.
Him? Who knew where he was headed.
In a matter of weeks, Elizabeth had turned his world upside down and inside out. He didn’t even recognize himself anymore.
Instead of being steadfast and true, he’d found himself living in a gray world. A place he’d denied the existence of his whole life.
His common sense and good intentions…gone.
He wasn’t going to give up and let Elizabeth Sewell out of his life. Things weren’t over with them. He needed to regroup and figure out what to do. He frowned. He’d been doing too much thinking and regrouping lately.
This was not a good time in his life for a relationship.
Relationship.
There was that word again.
Coils of apprehension wound around him, He had a practice to get going, a new life to get started. Mandy’s case had to come first. After what she’d been through, she deserved someone she could trust and depend on.
Jack understood being crazy about a woman and doing crazy things to be with her, himself being a prime example of that but he did not understand touching a woman who did not want to be touched or saying things she didn’t want to hear. Guys like that needed redirection and while he couldn’t do it the way he’d like—with his fist—he could take the jerk to court and hit him in another place where it hurt. The wallet.
Wanting to refresh his memory before she arrived, Jack reached for Ms. Malone’s file and flipped through what he’d gathered over the weekend.
About fifteen minutes after Mandy’s appointment time, worry took over. Had she changed her mind? Forgotten? Relief eased his shoulders when the door opened.
Ms. Malone crept into the office with her face turned down and her shoulders sagging. She did not look like a woman ready to take on the system.
Rushing through the reception area, he offered her a smile as he waved toward the coffee maker. “Can I make you some coffee? Tea?” He lifted his eyebrows. “Hot chocolate?”
Finally, she smiled but shook her head. “No, thanks.”
He gestured to his office. “Come on in then.”
She followed him in and lowered herself into one of the chairs. Anxiety and hesitation radiated from her. Instead of sitting behind his desk, he sat in the chair next to hers. He moved his chair back a bit and then angled it, so he faced her more directly, waited while she got herself settled, then reached for the file.
“I’ve got good news.”
Mandy looked at him from the corner of her eye. “It’s over?” Her tone was only half joking.
He explained that he’d spoken with the attorney representing Harrison and that they had agreed to mediation. That meant the whole matter would be taken care of quickly, with a court mediator, in a less formal setting.
She smiled but the tension stayed around her eyes. “Why does doing the right thing have to be so hard?”
Thinking of Elizabeth, Jack nodded his understanding. “A case like yours will get attention but with mediation not as much as a court case. Enough to let people know it’s a serious issue but not so much that your picture will be plastered all over the place.”
As he spoke, her mouth pulled into a frown. “Ms. Malone?”
She avoided his gaze, twisting the straps of her purse. “I’ve been thinking about everything too…”
The last thing he wanted to see was her backing out but it was her decision to make. Not his. Holding his breath, he asked, “Change your mind?”
“No. It’s just like, well…it’s like you said. The whole thing will be out in the open.”
Jack set his hands in his lap. “That’s the only way.”
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle it.”
“He’s the one who should be worried. Not you. You haven’t done anything wrong.”
“There aren’t any witnesses. It’s going to be my word against his.”
Jack leaned forward. “There has to be a reason they’ve agreed to mediation. If they thought they had a clear-cut case, they would’ve insisted on a court date.”
She nodded. “I guess that’s a good sign.”
“Keep writing everything down. Sooner or later, he’s going to mess up. Sooner or later, someone will hear him, or better yet, see him.” Thinking of himself, he added, “Everyone make mistakes.”
She sighed, her gaze. “My boyfriend, Thomas…”
When she let the words trail off, he prompted her to continue but she pressed her lips together. She was either thinking or trying not to cry.
“Have you told him?” he asked.
She shook her head.
“Maybe you should. If he cares about you, he’d want to know.”
“That’s just it, if I tell him, he’s likely to charge in there and knock Steve Rawlings’ head off.”
Jack held his opinion—that that’s just what the loser deserved—to himself. “I’m sure he’d realize that even though he wanted to do it, that wouldn’t be the best way to handle this.”
“I don’t know…” She gazed out the window for a minute. When she turned back to him, a half-smile lifted her mouth. “My friend, Elizabeth, keeps encouraging me to go on with it.”
“Elizabeth?”
“Elizabeth Sewell. I work with her.”
Acknowledging any ties would be unethical and damage the case but Mandy continued before he could say anything. “She’s t
he one who told me to start writing things down. Remember, I told you about her?”
Jack cleared his throat. “Stick to your guns, Ms. Malone. I know it isn’t going to be easy but you won’t be sorry.”
She nodded and stood up. “Okay.”
He rose, stepping aside to let her through the door. “I know this sort of thing is difficult but I bet your boyfriend will be a lot more understanding than you realize.
“As a man, I can tell you, he’ll want to know.”
She pulled the outer door open and nodded but didn’t say anything.
“I’ll call you tomorrow with the time and place for the mediation.”
“Thanks.” She smiled faintly and left.
Jack headed back to his desk and gathered up her file and a couple appeals he’d been finishing up. The work would keep him busy through dinner and would hopefully wear him out enough so he could fall asleep without lying in bed imagining Elizabeth, soft and responsive. Her smell…her taste…
He groaned as he stuffed the papers into his briefcase.
It was going to be another long night.
—
“Are you sure you’re feeling up to this? You don’t look so good,” Mandy said, sliding into the patio chair across the table from Elizabeth. Her friend studied her a little too carefully, so she waved and forced a bright smile. “I’m fine.” The words came out briskly, so she added, “Thanks for asking but a night out is exactly what I need. Besides,” she added with a flourish, “it’s your birthday.”
“Remember,” Mandy said, “we agreed to celebrate after the whole court thing is over.”
“I know. Sit down and enjoy the view.”
The Prickly Pear restaurant had a great patio, so they’d decided to sit outside. From their table by the rail, they could see in three directions. Buildings, buildings and more buildings. Typical Houston.
“Have you been waiting long?”
Elizabeth pointed to her half-empty wineglass. “How was your appointment with the attorney?”
“Good news, I guess,” she smoothed her skirt and crossed her legs. “They’ve agreed to mediation.”
“That’s good.”
After Mandy finished filling her in on the process and her attorney’s opinion that she tell her boyfriend what was going on, Elizabeth said, “He’s right, you know.”
Mandy fiddled with the basket of sugar packets. “About telling Thomas?”
“That and that you need to go ahead with things.” She picked up two menus and handed on to Mandy.
“I knew you’d say that.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Did he tell you what would happen next?”
“No. I think he was giving me a chance to back out, if I wanted to, even though he doesn’t think that’s what I should do. He said he’ll call me tomorrow.”
“Sounds like you didn’t get a typical lawyer. Most attorneys would be chomping at the bit to get their hands on a case like yours. It could turn into big publicity for his firm but from what you say, with this mediation thing, it won’t be big publicity for him and it’ll be easier on you.”
“I still have to say all that stuff in front of people.” Mandy set aside the sugar packets and picked up one of the jars of Prickly Pear jelly that were set on every table. “You know this could work out well for both of us. If the court stuff goes my way, maybe they’ll get rid of Steve.”
“It’ll be good for all of us but you know what, the Anderson account is just about mine. I accomplished everything she wanted. So I have a real shot at that partnership, even though Steve got Bob’s.”
“Perfect. He’ll get what he deserves from both of us. Let’s not talk about him anymore.” Mandy held up the jar of jelly. “Do you think anybody eats this stuff?”
The arrival of the waitress broke off their laughter and after she took their order, Mandy folded her arms across the table, leaning in. “So tell me, girlfriend, what’s causing those dark circles?”
Elizabeth smirked. “Lack of proper sleep.”
“I know that but what’s causing that improper sleep?” She lifted her eyebrows suggestively. “You gonna fill me in? What gives?”
“Nothing. That’s what.”
“Oh, come on. I already have my guy. I need to live relive those first-dates thrills through you.”
“Maybe those first-dates thrills aren’t all they’re supposed to be.”
“Yes, they are.” Mandy stretched across the table. “If they aren’t, you’re with the wrong guy.”
The balcony scene flashed through her mind, making Elizabeth’s face turn red.
Mandy sat back and laughed.
“Okay,” Elizabeth couldn’t hold back the silly smile. “Part of things are—correction—were, fantastic.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
Aside from her roller coaster emotions? “I don’t think we’re headed anywhere.”
“He has a girlfriend?”
When Elizabeth shook her head, Mandy squared her shoulders. “He’s married?”
“No, that’s not it either. It’s nothing like that.” She waved her wineglass. “Let’s make a deal. We won’t talk about your situation, we won’t talk about my situation.”
Mandy waved her hand. “Okay, I get it. Mind my own business.” She took a sip of wine. “What else is there to talk about?”
“My cousin’s wedding.” Elizabeth shook her head in response to Mandy’s smile. “My mom threatened to set me up with Hale Crompton.”
“Isn’t he the one she said was ‘great marriage material’?”
“Yes. Her exact words were, ‘steady, reliable and not too bad to look at.’ That’d be great if I wanted a dog from the pound.”
Mandy turned wistful. “I wish Thomas would ask me.”
“He will. It’s obvious the guy is crazy about you.”
“I’m worried about how he’ll react when I tell him about Steve. Maybe he’ll think I wanted Steve to say that stuff.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Elizabeth shook her head. “There’s no mistaking the way he looks at you.”
“So, what’re you going to do? About steady, reliable, not-too-bad-to-look-at, Hale?”
Elizabeth wrinkled her lips. “I can’t let my mom set me up. How embarrassing.”
“So take your new guy.”
“He’s not my guy,” she replied too quickly, then added, “He’s not into families and all that.”
“You need a date, Elizabeth. Doesn’t sound like you have much choice.”
If she did show up alone, even though she’d only said she might be bringing someone, the slew of questions would be endless.
She shifted, crossed her legs and twirled her wineglass.
Was she only considering asking Jack as an excuse to see him? Sure, he’d made himself available physically but that wasn’t all she wanted. “I don’t know. What if he says no? What if—”
“For once in your life, stop analyzing things to death. Just go for it.”
Chapter Fourteen
The next morning, Elizabeth swung out of her car took off her shoes and grabbed the other pair on the seat next to her.
“Thanks for meeting with me on such short notice and so early in the morning.” April Anderson’s smile shone with lively sincerity.
“No problem at all.” Elizabeth bent to tie her shoelace then jogged down the walking track to catch up with the other woman. “I’m glad you suggested I bring my other shoes.”
“Of course.” She flashed a quick smile. “Couldn’t expect you to keep up with me in heels.”
Elizabeth matched her stride to April’s. “Have you had a chance to look over those ideas I sent over?”
“I sure have. I especially like your suggestion to create a scholarship fund for empty nesters. That’s the sort of innovation I’m looking for. Funding the education and career development of women starting new careers, that’s good stuff. And a nice write-off.” They rounded a corner, sending a cluster of pigeons fluttering. “You really thin
k that software you recommended will save me a bundle?”
“I’m sure of it.” As they discussed the other suggestions, Elizabeth kept searching for a smooth way to bring up the embezzlement. Elizabeth hated pointing the finger at a man she’d never met but the numbers spoke for themselves. He’d been stealing from Mrs. Anderson for months.
Deciding there was no subtle approach, she took a deep breath and charged ahead. “Your accountant is embezzling through the fuel costs. He’s been overcharging you bit by bit. Small amounts at first but he’s been increasing.”
Elizabeth tensed, waiting for Mrs. Anderson’s reaction. When the other woman simply shook her head and frowned, Elizabeth was sure she hadn’t understood. “He has been stealing money from you.”
“That’s too bad.” April kept walking with the same lively steps. “I hate this sort of thing.”
Elizabeth pointed toward her car in the lot. “I brought back copies of receipts and account statements.”
Mrs. Anderson fell silent, the pat of their shoes filling the silence between them. Elizabeth kept quiet, waiting while April sorted through her news.
As it had been with increasing regularity, the image of Jack pushed its way into her thoughts.
The wedding was getting closer and she still had no date. One was not going to magically appear. As with everything in her life, she would have to make it happen.
But call Jack? Sure, he might agree to go out on another real date, they’d have fun but then what?
Bottom line was, she didn’t know what she wanted from him…or herself.
“What’s his name, dear?”
Elizabeth faltered. “I…I…” Letting personal matters interfere with business was unacceptable.
April laughed. “I’ve asked you three times for an appointment to discuss your findings.”
Elizabeth offered an embarrassed apology, then added, “Jack.”
The other woman’s expression turned wistful. “I always liked that name. A good name for a man. Strong. Sexy.”
Elizabeth nodded slightly. You should see the man that goes with it.
“He must be something else.”
“I guess you could say that.”
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