Perfect Match

* * *

“He said he’d get back to us,” Bonnie said as Hannah paced the room.

“Are you sure you sold me enough?”

“Yes.”

“Did you tell him I was called the barracuda on my debate team and that—”

“I said all the right things. I think he sounded really excited but tried to hide it. I’m sure he’ll call back tomorrow, but he doesn’t want to seem too eager.”

Hannah chewed her lower lip. “Yes, I’m sure that’s it.”

The phone rang. They stared at each other and then Bonnie picked up.

“Yes? Okay. Okay. That’s fine. Thank you. Goodbye.” She hung up.

Hannah stared at her with her heart pounding. “Well?”

Bonnie jumped out of her chair. “You’ve got the case. They want to meet Monday and discuss the details.” The two women screamed and hugged each other and then Hannah sobered.

“Hmm...shouldn’t we have scheduled the meeting?”

“He says his boss likes to be in charge.”

“Fine. As long as his checks don’t bounce he can schedule to his heart’s content. This is great. This gives me time to find out more about him and the Walkers.”

Finding out about the Walkers wasn’t hard. They were from old money and had lived in the area for over one hundred years. Their money had been earned through the banking industry and investment in real estate, including the ownership of several high-rise buildings in the middle of downtown Raleigh. They were the cornerstone of the establishment and were known for their philanthropic activities, including donating to the development of a new wing at the local children’s hospital and the new Ronald McDonald house for parents of children being treated with life-threatening illnesses. The annual Walker golf championship, held in the spring, was an event Hannah and all of the citizens in the community were aware of. The event brought together a variety of dignitaries and stars and raised several million dollars for not-for-profit organizations in the area. Hannah exhausted herself poring over the unlimited news articles and pictures she found online.

“He’s a real good-looking guy,” Bonnie said, staring at the computer screen. “Come and look.”

Hannah brushed the comment away with a wave of her hand. “I don’t care what he looks like. Just give me the facts.”

Bonnie did. He liked the nightlife and the company of beautiful women. Attended charity events, but whether out of philanthropy or to be seen wasn’t clear. He’d never married and clearly didn’t seem ready to march down the aisle anytime soon.

“I don’t care who he is.... He’s the answer to my prayers.”

* * *

Hannah dressed her best that Monday. She wanted to make a good impression even though she knew she had the upper hand since no one else wanted the case. She felt the case itself would be a struggle based on the information she’d read about the Walkers and since it was her first, but she was ready for the challenge. She sat at her desk and waited.

Then she heard voices and a knock on her door. She straightened, and in walked the man from her dreams.

Chapter 4

Amal halted in the doorway when he saw her. He noticed the surprise and amazement on her pretty face and nearly took a step back. He had to play it cool. He didn’t want anything to jeopardize her representing him. He had to remain in control even though he didn’t feel as if he was. Instead, he felt as if his world had tilted on its axis and that nothing would be the same again. His throat constricted, his mouth felt parched and his heart acted as if it wanted to beat out of his chest. He took a deep breath, glad he still knew how to breathe. He fought not to remember the scent of her perfume or notice how the color of her lime-green suit looked against her skin. He tried to ignore how the light revealed reddish highlights in her hair and how when she licked her lips he wanted to lick them, too. No, he had to focus on the case. That was all that mattered right now.

He held out his hand, pleased by how firm and steady it looked. Yes, he could do this. “It will be a pleasure to work with you.”

“Yes,” Hannah said in a rush. “Will you excuse me?” She darted out of the room, pushing past him on her exit, allowing him another whiff of her floral scent. He gripped his hands into fists.

Hector spun around, sending him an accusatory look. “What have you done?”

Amal took a seat, setting his briefcase down. “I haven’t done anything.”

“She looked at you as if she’d seen a ghost or something. Please don’t tell me she’s a former conquest you’ve forgotten about.”

“I never forget a woman.”

“It can happen.”

“Not to me. Besides, she’s never been one of mine. And will you stop calling them conquests?”

“I say it out of admiration.”

“I don’t care.”

“Fine,” Hector reluctantly conceded, “but something’s wrong, and I need to find out what. I don’t like surprises. They are never good.”

Amal tugged on his cuffs and grinned. “My little optimist.”

“I’m serious.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“She’s the only one willing to help us. We can’t lose her.”

The thought made Amal’s stomach clench. Now that he’d found her again, he didn’t want to lose her, but he wouldn’t think about why. “We’re not going to,” Amal said with a confidence he didn’t feel.

* * *

Hannah locked herself in the bathroom stall, wanting to jump up and down and scream. She just kicked the door instead. He was here. The man she’d been dreaming about for many nights was here and was quickly becoming her worst nightmare. He wasn’t the caring, generous and wonderful man she’d imagined him to be. Instead, he was a conniving playboy who went through women as he did his shirts. He’d likely used one of his lines to get her attention that day in the park. She wondered how often he used that line. Obviously it was effective; she’d fallen for it—and him—completely. From Bonnie’s research she knew he never settled with one woman for too long, especially after breaking up with Jade Walker. She felt like a fool. She banged her head against the door, welcoming the pain in her head. It was better than the one seeping into her heart.

He’d probably laughed about how easy it had been to manipulate her. But she wouldn’t think about that. She needed the job. She didn’t need to like him. And he didn’t need to know how she’d felt about him. What he thought about her didn’t matter as long as she got paid. He’d probably forgotten all about it anyway. She’d be professional and distant.

She heard a knock on the door and then Bonnie’s worried tone. “Hannah? Are you all right?”

Hannah wiped her eyes and came out. “I’m fine.”

“Did he say something? Do you want me to be in on the meeting?”

“No, I can handle Mr. Harper.”

Hannah returned to her office and stared at Amal—seeing the steely jaw and cunning gaze. She hadn’t seen that before, but she wouldn’t forget it now.

“Okay, let’s get to work.”

They discussed the case and then finished for the day.