Second Time Lucky

by Debbi Rawlins

  “Still, I know you used to have a thing for him.”

  “Used to. Now shut up,” Mia murmured as they got within hearing distance.

  They both pasted on smiles, and the moment he spotted them his smile came so easily that Mia had trouble believing this was the same guy she’d worked with for three years.

  She’d always considered him attractive, with his dark hair and intense brown eyes. The first day they’d met he’d sent her pulse skittering, but his rare smiles and overall serious nature had bothered her. She’d understood to some degree why he’d kept up the barrier. He was a supersmart guy and one hell of a lawyer, but his high-ranking position with the firm at only thirty could have easily been interpreted as nepotism. He was thirty-three now. Time to relax. He’d proven himself many times over.

  “You ladies look lovely,” he said, giving them equal attention as he took in their new sundresses. “Would you like to be seated at our table, or wait out here for Jeff?”

  “Let’s sit down,” Mia said, never having had trouble being decisive. “We should be able to see him when he gets here.”

  “Good.” David gave the host a slight nod, and the man gathered menus and indicated they should follow him.

  Shelby went first, and then David lightly touched the small of Mia’s back for her to proceed. A triangular cutout at her waist exposed bare skin, allowing his fingertips to graze the sensitive area. Her entire body reacted. The tingling started at her nape and slithered down her spine. Goose bumps surfaced on her arms and back.

  She picked up the pace so that contact was quickly broken, but he’d have to be blind not to see what his touch had done. The restaurant was outdoors, and even though it was twilight, strings of white lights were woven through the surrounding palm trees to illuminate the walkway—and reactions Mia preferred weren’t so obvious.

  They arrived at the table, an excellent one, private yet affording a breathtaking view of the water. She’d bet an expensive bottle of wine that David had greased the host’s palm to get this baby.

  The host pulled out a chair, and so did David. Shelby and Mia exchanged secret smiles as they settled in. David’s manners didn’t surprise Mia. Not once had she seen him sit or enter an elevator before a woman. He probably opened car doors, too, but she’d never had the opportunity to see him in action.

  “Your server will be Cole. He’ll be here shortly to offer you cocktails.” The host passed out the menus, leaving the wine list with David. “In the meantime, is there anything else I can do for you?” he asked as he shook out Shelby’s white linen napkin and draped it across her lap.

  Shelby smiled and shook her head. Mia didn’t bother. She knew the question was mainly addressed to David, who said, “I think we’re fine for now. Thank you, Ryan.”

  “Oh.” Mia stopped the man. “If you could be on the lookout for the fourth person who’s joining us—”

  “Of course.” The glance at David told her he’d already taken care of that, too.

  The situation was kind of weird for her. When she and her friends were out, she was usually the one in charge, or at least they automatically deferred to her.

  “I could get used to this,” Shelby said, surveying the other diners, mostly dressed in subdued aloha shirts and lightweight floral dresses. “Houston can be casual, especially in the summer when it’s so hot, but this rocks.”

  David followed her gaze. “I’m practically over-dressed.”

  Shelby grinned. “Feel free to take your shirt off.”

  Mia chuckled when David blinked, his normally expressionless face slightly startled. Nothing that came out of Shelby’s mouth surprised her, but she doubted David was used to being teased. That’s why she didn’t feel threatened by Shelby, who looked too damn cute in her strapless yellow dress. She simply wasn’t his type.

  There. She’d acknowledged the evil little thought that had consoled her after she’d foolishly suggested David and Shelby come to dinner.

  “Think I could get away with it?” David asked, his eyes filling with warm amusement.

  Shelby laughed. “What’s the worst that can happen?” She shrugged her bare bronzed shoulders. “They’ll ask you to put it back on.”

  “I think I’ll let a braver soul than me test the boundaries of their dress code.” His gaze met Mia’s.

  She forced a smile. How could she have underestimated Shelby? It wasn’t that she blamed her for being so charming and irresistible.

  “So, Shelby—” David set the wine list aside “—I understand you went to school with Mia. Are you also an attorney?”

  “No,” she said with a startled laugh, as if that was a joke. “No offense. Nothing wrong with being a lawyer. I’m in PR. As soon as we get the business off the ground I’ll be handling the publicity, advertising, networking, that sort of thing.”

  His brows went up, and Mia cringed inside. She hadn’t told him about Anything Goes. It wasn’t as if it were a big secret. But David would never understand how she could walk away from the law to start a business like that.

  He didn’t ask the expected question, but rather stared past Mia. “I believe your date is here.”

  She swung a gaze toward the entrance, and there was Jeff headed toward them. He’d cleaned up nicely, having changed into white jeans and a blue Hawaiian shirt. He waved, acknowledging them, and then stopped to talk to a waitress carrying a full tray of food. With her chin, she gestured to a passing waiter, and after Jeff had a word with the guy, he finally joined them at the table.

  “I’m not late, am I?” he asked, kissing Mia on the cheek before taking his seat beside her.

  She immediately smelled the booze on his breath. Great. “We’ve only been here a few minutes.”

  Frowning and totally ignoring David, who’d gotten to his feet, Jeff’s gaze skimmed the table. “They haven’t served drinks yet.”

  “Our server is coming,” Mia said tightly. “I don’t know if you remember Shelby, and this is David.”

  “Jeff.” David extended his hand. “Thanks for allowing us to join you.”

  Jeff half rose and accepted the handshake. “No problem. I should’ve brought my friends, too.”

  Mia tried not to shudder. She tried even harder not to look at David, who’d reclaimed his seat. Though maybe she was the only one who knew Jeff was slightly off.

  “How did the surfing go?” she asked.

  “Shit. I nearly broke my neck. Check this out.” He yanked up the hem of his shirt to show where the skin across his ribs was beginning to bruise. “I banged up my back, too.”

  Oh, God. They didn’t need to see that. “Bummer,” Mia said, and picked up the leather-bound menu. “We should look at the menus.”

  Jeff dropped his shirt in place and craned his neck. “Where’s our waiter? I gave him my drink order.”

  Mia glanced at Shelby and David. They both had taken her suggestion and were studying their menus. Neither of them seemed put off by Jeff, but they were probably just being polite.

  The waiter arrived with Jeff’s Scotch and an apologetic look for the rest of them, then he took everyone else’s drink order. While they waited, Mia quickly decided on an entrée and urged Shelby with a pointed look to do the same. David diplomatically handled the selection of the wine, something Mia gladly would have skipped altogether.

  Other than Jeff reaching under the table to squeeze her thigh, an attempt that was immediately rejected, the rest of the meal went smoothly enough. David and Shelby got along fabulously, chatting away as if they’d known each other for ages. Mia should’ve been grateful they were distracted, but their rapport only helped to darken her mood. She was jealous, and she had no one to blame but herself. And Jeff. Rational or not, she totally blamed him. Why did he have to turn out to be such an ass?

  When the bill came, there was a brief struggle between David and Jeff. No surprise to her, David won. Any other time, Mia might have offered to pick it up herself since she’d invited Shelby and David, but all she wanted was to ge
t back to her room. No way was she spending another minute with Jeff, who’d had a glass in his hand throughout dinner. Only one thing could make the night worse—if Shelby stayed out with David.

  “Well,” Mia said, after giving Jeff a firm send-off, and he’d started weaving his way toward the lobby. Or more likely, the next bar. “I’m beat.”

  Neither Shelby or David responded, and a lump swelled in Mia’s throat. They’d gotten along much better than she’d anticipated. Who knew David could be that social and charming, damn him. She wouldn’t be surprised if they wanted to spend more time together.

  She swallowed hard. “Guess I’ll catch up with you two tomorrow.” Mia’s gaze involuntarily flicked to David. He’d been watching her intently. She blinked at the sudden awkwardness. “Thanks for dinner. I should’ve foot the bill. I owe you one.”

  His warm chocolate-brown eyes stayed level with hers. “I’ll remind you,” he said, his voice a seductive murmur in the semidarkness.

  Shivering with awareness, she rubbed her bare arm. She couldn’t seem to look away. With a jolt of regret, she remembered Shelby was standing there watching.

  Mia stepped back, avoiding a glance at her friend. And David. “Okay. I’m off to bed. See ya,” she said breezily, knowing she wasn’t going to sleep one lousy wink.

  “Wait for me,” Shelby said, and Mia stopped and cautiously turned. “I’m pretty jet-lagged myself. David, it was so nice meeting you. You’re staying here, too, yes?” He nodded, and she added, “Then we’ll see you around.”

  David’s gaze briefly shifted in the direction that Jeff had disappeared. “I wouldn’t mind walking you to your rooms.”

  “We’re fine, really.” Shelby looped an arm through Mia’s. Not a Shelby-like thing to do. “We’re staying in rooms seven-twenty and seven-twenty-two. Give us a call tomorrow.”

  He nodded. “I just might do that. Good night, ladies.”

  Shelby gave Mia’s arm a small tug, and they headed toward the elevators. “Do not turn around,” Shelby whispered sternly. “I promise you he’s watching.”

  “What?” Mia jerked her arm away. “Why would I turn around?” Any remorse she’d felt for stepping on her friend’s toes disappeared in a flash. “You could’ve stayed out with him. I don’t need an escort to my room, for God’s sake.”

  Shelby only grinned.

  “I should warn you. He’s not always that charming. Frankly, I didn’t know he had any personality. He’s usually stuck in Neutral.”

  “Uh-huh.” They’d arrived at the elevators and, still smiling, Shelby pressed the Up button.

  “I’m not trying to discourage you. I’m not,” Mia muttered. “I say go for it. I can see why you might be attracted. I was once.”

  Shelby laughed. “For being a brainy chick, you’re such a dope.”

  Mia scowled at her, but kept her mouth shut when the elevator doors opened, and two couples exited.

  “Get in there.” Shelby pulled her into the car, and then waited for the doors to close. “Sweetie, he is so into you, it’s pathetic.”

  “You’re crazy. He was all Mr. Charming with you.”

  “He is charming. But you didn’t see the way he was looking at you.”

  “No, he wasn’t.”

  Shelby rolled her eyes. “You were too busy being embarrassed by Jeff. David wasn’t obvious, he’s too gentlemanly. But he didn’t miss a single eyelash flutter. Trust me.” She sighed. “Seriously, if he’d been eyeing me like I was a juicy steak, I’d be all over him.”

  Mia thought about it for a minute. “Then why wait and come all the way to Hawaii?”

  “Yeah, Mia,” Shelby said with a hand on her hip. “Why would someone, who never takes vacations, suddenly come all the way to Hawaii for a week? Tell me.”

  Excitement fluttered in her chest. “It is odd,” she admitted. “All he had to do was pick up the phone while I was still in New York.”

  “Hey, hopping a plane at the last minute is a pretty grand gesture, don’t knock it.” The doors opened, and Shelby walked out first, her key already in hand. “And for God’s sake, don’t blow it.”

  DAVID PACED THE PARLOR of his suite. His body recognized East Coast time, where it was three in the morning and not 10:00 p.m. Hawaiian time. Add to that the twelve hours he’d spent in the air, he should’ve been exhausted. But he was too keyed up to sleep.

  Even dinner had been draining. Shelby had been great company—witty, refreshingly open and quite beautiful. But it was Mia’s attention he’d wanted, when her green eyes had locked with his. Instead he’d watched her helplessly act as buffer for that idiot Jeff. He’d pitied them both. Jeff, because he was too drunk to realize what he’d screwed up, and Mia, well, her evening had virtually been ruined.

  David smiled ruefully. The upside for him was that he’d come out the victor. Or so he hoped. He still didn’t know where he stood, whether he was a fool for showing up. Damn it, he should’ve stopped her from going to her room, asked her to have a drink alone with him.

  He wasn’t worried about hurting Shelby’s feelings—it wasn’t as if they’d been on a date. She was clearly a bright woman and knew what was what.

  He slid open the glass door, walked to the balcony railing and stared at the city lights. Getting this last minute suite had been lucky. The corner unit provided both a view of the ocean and the Waikiki skyline. It also came with a well-stocked bar, or he could’ve ordered drinks from room service. Either way, Mia should’ve been enjoying this view with him right now.

  Rooms 720 and 722. Weren’t there three of them? Which room was Mia’s? He could call the front desk, but they wouldn’t give him her room number, only connect him. He had no desire to talk to her on the phone, he decided as he closed the balcony door behind him. He’d done enough talking. Enough dodging and evading for the past three years. Enough denying himself.

  He grabbed his key card off the bamboo console table, and let himself out.

  Enough was damn well enough.

  TIRED OF PACING, Mia lay back on the queen-size bed closest to the bathroom, locked her hands behind her head and stared up at the ceiling. Occasionally she could hear Shelby rattling around in the next room. Mia knew she wanted to stay up chatting, and Mia felt only slightly guilty for not indulging her. The need for privacy won out.

  Lindsey hadn’t been in the room when they’d returned, and they suspected she might not show up again until morning. Good for her. Mia was dying to meet the guy Lindsey had been so tight-lipped about, but this was the first moment’s peace she’d gotten since arriving, and she had a lot to think about.

  David.

  Good Lord, it still didn’t seem real. Him. Here. Thousands of miles away from New York. To some degree it pissed her off that for three years he’d given her not one itty-bitty hint that he was attracted to her. Talk about cool, dispassionate, stoic. Great qualities if you’re in the courtroom, but damn it, they’d spent far too many nights working late for him not to have cracked just a little.

  So there was a “no fraternization” policy at the firm? So what that he was the heir apparent? He could’ve been human, showed a trace of emotion toward her. Then she could have decided what was more important, staying with the firm or seeing him. Who knew what could have developed by now?

  What a coward. She had a good mind to go knock on his door and make him spell out why he’d come to Hawaii. Had he come for her or not? If not, fine. There was plenty of trouble she could get into all by herself. But if he had come for her…

  She had to know, she decided, swinging her feet to the floor, even if it meant they had only this one week. In fact, if they reverted to their former relationship once they returned to New York, that would be perfect. All her focus and energy would be invested in the new company. She’d have no time for a relationship. All the more reason not to waste a minute now.

  Her key wasn’t where she’d thought she left it. Impatient, she dumped the contents of her purse onto the bed, then found the key card tucked saf
ely in the side pocket, where she now recalled putting it. She checked her reflection in the mirror, applied some lip gloss, drew a brush through her hair and adjusted the bodice of her coral-colored dress. When she twisted around to inspect the back, her gaze snagged on the skin exposed by the triangular cutout. Where David’s warm palm had been, had lingered until she’d pulled away.

  Reliving the few seconds in her mind, she shivered. His hand hadn’t been as soft as she expected. She knew he was an avid tennis player in his spare time, and that his mother was fond of arranging dates to accompany him to company dinners. Mia knew nothing more about his personal life. Among the paralegals and clerical help, there was some gossip and the occasional rumor, but she made a point to stay clear of the whispers.

  Smoothing down her dress, satisfied that it wasn’t too wrinkled, she palmed the key card and opened the door. And stopped cold.

  David stood in the hall, staring at her. He seemed as surprised to see her as she was to see him. He wore the same clothes he’d worn at dinner, only his sleeves were rolled back, exposing his muscled forearms. Definitely a tennis player.

  “I was about to knock,” he said. “If you’re on your way out—”

  No way she’d let him weasel out of this. She opened her mouth to tell him just that, but he hadn’t finished.

  “I’ll keep it brief.” Without hesitation, he took a step toward her, his lips twitching into what could only be described as a predatory smile.

  “Okay,” she said, trying to keep her voice from shaking.

  Then he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him, sending her scurrying backward with the inelegant grace of a beached whale.

  4

  “I HOPE YOU WEREN’T on your way to meet Jeff,” David said. “If you are, it’s a complete mistake.”

  Mia backed up another step, stopped, gave him a good long look, then laughed. “You came here to tell me that?”