“For saving my ass last week.”
As I snap the lid back on, I shrug and feign innocence. “I’m really not sure what you’re talking about.”
One side of her mouth quirks up in a grin as she tucks her short auburn hair behind her ear. “And that’s another reason why I love you.”
I smile back and thank her for the cookies. Really, this day couldn’t get any better. Until a deep voice breaks through my thoughts.
“Don’t you look beautiful today.”
Nathan leans against Penny’s credenza and smiles. I turn to look behind me, to see who he’s talking about, only to hear him laugh.
“Yes, Evelyn, I mean you.”
Confused, I turn back to him.
I don’t miss the way his eyes travel over my body, and I resist the urge to wrap my arms around myself.
He tilts his head, studying me. “What’s different? Did you cut your hair?”
I shrug. “Nothing major. A new outfit.”
“Yes, the clothes look great. I approve, but I think it’s something else.” He pauses and rubs his hand over his handsome jaw. “Would it sound weird if I said you looked radiant?”
I know I should play it cool, but before I can get control of my facial muscles, a big toothy grin escapes. Maybe I’m still high from my presentation, although if I’m honest with myself, I’ve been a little euphoric since my meeting with Josh this morning.
“Thanks, I—”
“Nathan,” Angela purrs as she struts up to us and places one of her claws on his shoulder. “Shouldn’t we go over those numbers before you meet with the Fergusons?”
She can probably feel all of his big football muscles under that suit. For some reason, this doesn’t bother me as much as it usually does. Angela wants to bang Nathan. What’s new?
Her eyes narrow on me, but she keeps talking to him. “My lunch plans got derailed. Perhaps we could grab a bite afterward.”
He nods, but motions to me. “Want to join us?”
Nathan has never invited me to lunch before.
Strangely, I’m not desperate to accept. Especially with Angela in tow.
“Thanks for the offer, but I have a ton of work to do.” I tuck my folder under my arm and cradle my Tupperware of cookies.
He gives me one of his patented flirty smiles, the kind that usually makes me want to drop my panties. Except this time, there are no kamikaze butterflies in my stomach. Odd. “Next time.”
In my peripheral vision, Angela rolls her eyes, and the fact that I’ve gotten under her skin fills me with sick glee.
Turning, I head down the hall, and as I open the door to my office, I glance back toward the reception area to find Nathan still watching me. Weird. I smile and wave before I duck into my office.
Maybe Kendall was right about the clothes.
For once, though, Nathan isn’t at the forefront of my mind.
As soon as I’m at my desk, I grab my phone to text Josh. I don’t typically text clients, but this morning he told me it’s his preferred method of communication.
The meeting with the boss went well! I’ll let you know once I hear back.
Little bubbles pop up on the screen, and then a minute later, my phone buzzes with his message.
Good to hear. As long as you promise the whole world won’t find out I’m a complete deviant.
Your secret is safe with me. Cross my heart. After a moment, I add, And you’re not a deviant. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to express yourself with your body.
I wait for his response because I know he’s read my message. When he doesn’t immediately respond, a twinge of disappointment hits me.
As I look over our texts, I roll my eyes at myself. Cross my heart? Who writes that? A fifth grader?
But just as I’m setting down my phone, it rings.
My screen flashes Mr. Mansicle—my code name for him—and my heart rate kicks up into the stratosphere.
Don’t be a spaz, Evie. Just because your client is prettier than Henry Cavill doesn’t mean you have to turn into a twelve-year-old with a crush. Because there will be no crushing!
I’m pleasantly surprised by how cool and collected I sound when I answer the phone.
“Mr. Cartwright.” Wow. I like calling him that.
“Evelyn, really, please call me Josh. And thank you for the update.”
God, that voice. A shiver runs through me.
“My pleasure. By the way, I’ve been thinking about ways to ensure your privacy, which made me wonder how much personal information you had to divulge to start your blog. If you had to use your real name to start your website or anything we’d need to redo with a more veiled identity.”
“That’s a great question. I created it on Tumblr, which doesn’t require more than an email account and password, so I don’t think anything of significance could be compromised on my end.”
“Good to hear. I just wanted to double-check.”
“I appreciate that.” He clears his throat. The line is quiet and then he adds, “Listen, about this morning…”
“I hope you think our firm can meet your needs.”
“Of course. No doubt you can. But I wanted to apologize for being so forward. I probably shouldn’t have stripped out of my clothes in the middle of a coffee shop to show you my birthmark.”
Maybe not, but what a vision it was.
A stupid smile breaks out on my face, but I force my voice to be serious. “You didn’t offend me. I appreciate that you understood my need to confirm your identity. The last thing I would want is to represent someone pretending to be you.”
“My brother once pretended to be me when we were kids,” he says offhand. “And he acted like a total turd to this girl I used to like.”
How adorable is he?
I laugh. “Did you get even?”
“Of course. When he had some friends sleep over, I snuck into his room in the middle of the night and dipped his hand into a warm bucket of water.”
“You made your brother wet his pants? That’s pretty dastardly,” I tease.
“All is fair in love and war, darling, but you probably know this, being an attorney.”
I’m a little dazed with his new term of endearment, which I’m sure he meant in the same Rhett Butler way I meant dastardly. “Honestly, I try not to play dirty, but I definitely go hard.”
Go hard.
Images from his blog instantly come to mind, and all I can think about is Josh going to pound town.
He’s quiet, and then I hear a shuffle of papers. “It’s good to know I have a tiger on my side.”
Yes, and she’s purring right now.
I close my eyes. What is wrong with me? Shaking my head, I hurry to finish this conversation before I say something stupid.
“I’ll be in touch as soon as I hear back from the partners.”
God, would I like to touch. And maybe lick.
6
Josh