Just A Little Bit Married

“Sometimes it is.”

“You’re ten years older and wiser,” Mason reminded him.

“True. But age and wisdom can’t undo what I did to her. Only reparation can do that.”

“It’s true that I haven’t worked for you long, but I’m sensing something.” Mason’s attorney expression returned. “Did she mention retaining legal counsel?”

“No.”

“She should,” Mason pointed out. “To protect her rights.”

“I have no intention of treating her unfairly in the divorce settlement.”

The other man’s eyes narrowed. “Then what did you do?”

“I offered her a job.”

“Doing what?”

Linc hadn’t shared his research on Rose. “She has an interior-design business and it’s not doing well. She needs some help.”

“So, you’re giving her money?” There was no approval or judgment in the other man’s voice, he was just seeking clarification of facts.

“No. I want to hire her to decorate my place in Blackwater Lake. With the possibility of future high-profile projects to strengthen her résumé and get more work.”

Mason thought that over, then nodded approvingly. “Smart move. Keep her happy to avoid an ugly and public divorce. In the long run a goodwill gesture could be less expensive than a lawsuit for retroactive alimony. Alienation of affection.”

“This has nothing to do with dodging back–spousal support. She’s entitled to a generous settlement.” Pain and suffering came to mind and Linc winced. He hated that he was the one who’d hurt her. “But you should know that she hasn’t agreed to my offer yet.”

It had been long enough and Linc was beginning to wonder if Rose planned to ignore his proposition. He wasn’t sure what constituted a decent length of time to allow her for consideration, but time was almost up. He’d give her another twenty-four hours, but if there was no word, he planned to make good on his promise to contact her.

“You’re a good man, Linc.”

“Don’t tell anyone. No one would believe you but it could be bad for my business reputation if that rumor got out.”

“There’s this handy thing called attorney-client privilege and it means I’m not allowed to reveal your confidential information.”

Even if Mason swore on a bible, Linc was pretty sure Rose wouldn’t believe him. Leaving her had ripped out his heart and if she hurt even half that bad it made what he’d done unforgivable. So, the longer it took for her to get back to him, the more determined he became to hire her. If necessary he would sweeten the deal. Somehow...

His cell phone rang and he picked it up, checking the caller ID. What a coincidence. Before it sounded again, he answered. “Rose.”

“Hello, Linc. I’ve been thinking about what you said.”

Her voice was businesslike with just a hint of sultriness in the slight lisp. It took a lot of self-control to hold off on a hard sell. “And?”

“I’d like to discuss it in more detail.”

“Okay. I’ll meet you for dinner. In say...” He looked at the watch on his wrist. “An hour?”

“Tonight?” She sounded surprised.

“Yes. I’m free.” He met Mason’s gaze and shrugged.

“Tomorrow at my studio would be fine,” she said.

Did she have a date? With the guy she was “almost engaged” to? A knot tightened in his gut. “Do you have plans?”

“No, but—”

“Then I’ll pick you up in about an hour,” he said. “What do you say?”

There was hesitation on the other end of the line that was just about to turn awkward. Then she said, “I’ll meet you at the diner. There’s only one in Prosper so you can’t miss it.”

“Okay. See you then.”

After he ended the call Mason cleared his throat. “So, I get bumped for dinner with your wife. Should my feelings be hurt?”

“Come on, Mason. We both know lawyers don’t have feelings.” He grinned at the other man. “You said yourself this was a smart move. I have to close the deal on my goodwill gesture.”

And if this was a little more than goodwill that would just be a secret not even his attorney knew.

* * *

Rose didn’t know what to make of the fact that Linc was able and, dare she say it, eager to have this meeting on such short notice. She hesitated to say he dropped everything but it kind of felt that way.

She’d intended to be at the diner first but got a call about a potential job and had to take it. She wanted to be the one watching him make the long walk past the counter and swivel stools to the booths and tables at the far end. In a perfect world they would both have arrived at the same time, but why should her world start being perfect now? A world where she was in control and not nervous about what the man who’d walked out on her was up to.

Now she was late and moving toward a table in the back, where he was sitting and staring at her.

If only she knew what he was thinking. On the upside... She was ten years older and less likely to give a rat’s behind what Lincoln Hart was thinking. It had taken her a long time to get to a place where she didn’t care and no matter what Vicki thought, she really didn’t.

She slid into the red-padded booth seat and met his gaze across the gray Formica table. “Sorry I’m late.”

“No problem.” There was a nearly empty coffee mug in front of him. Apparently he’d been here long enough to drink it.

Rose waited to feel guilty about keeping him waiting, but couldn’t quite manage. “I had to take a work call.”

“Of course,” he said reasonably. “I hope it wasn’t a crisis situation.”

As opposed to sitting across from the man who once broke her heart and trying to pretend that same heart wasn’t pounding so hard it might give out?

She shook her head. “No crisis.”

“Good.”

Again she cursed the unfairness of him looking even better than he had ten years ago. She didn’t remember his eyes being such a dark shade of blue or that his shoulders were quite so wide. Could be the white dress shirt he was wearing, with the long sleeves rolled up to midforearm. It was a look she’d once loved on him and that thought didn’t do much to slow her pulse.

“So I’m glad you called,” he said.