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“Our values were too different. We did
n’t want the same things.” She wanted monogamy; Benjamin did not. “And those are the only questions I’m going to answer for you. Are you willing to help me or not?”
Donovan stared into her eyes as though once again trying to read her mind. Rose held his intense gaze—and her breath. What would she do if Donovan turned her down? She wasn’t going to her reunion with a perfect stranger. And the registrations were due next week. If she were going to decline to attend, it was now or never. But she didn’t want to back out. She didn’t want Benjamin to even consider that her absence had anything to do with him, the Snake.
“All right.” Donovan broke the tense silence. “I’ll accompany you to your reunion as your boyfriend—”
Rose’s features relaxed into a smile of relief. “Thank you—”
Donovan held out his left hand, palm out, to stop her. “But I want something in return.”
Chapter 4
Donovan examined Rose’s expression. How quickly she’d gone from jubilant relief to wary distrust. Seconds ago, she’d glowed with happiness. She’d smiled and his motor skills had leaked from his brain. Her elegant features were just so beautiful. Her wide cocoa gaze mesmerized him. A man could lose himself—or find himself—in her eyes.
Rose was a beautiful, intelligent, fascinating woman. Donovan felt sorry for Benjamin Shippley. He must have been devastated when Rose broke up with him. Was Shippley’s loss my gain?
“I need a lawyer.” He hadn’t meant to be so blunt, but there it was.
Rose lowered her porcelain mug to the table. Her eyes examined his features. “What kind of trouble are you in?”
Donovan’s lips tilted in a half smile. Tyler and Xavier had made the same assumption. “Do you always presume the worst?”
Rose arched a brow. Donovan had an inexplicable urge to trace its winged path. He clenched both hands around his still-warm mug.
“Usually people only need a lawyer when they’re in trouble.” Rose lifted her mug to her lips again.
“Then you’re right. I need help with a problem.”
“What kind of problem?”
Donovan glanced around the small coffee shop. The clientele were starting to change. Young men and women who were interested in doing more than drinking coffee on a Friday night were clearing out. Older couples wandered in from their nearby homes, looking for a quiet way to entertain themselves and an after-dinner snack they didn’t have to prepare. The air was strong with the scent of flavored coffee beans and fresh-baked pastries. The rumble of conversation ebbed and flowed, spiked now and again with gales of laughter.
He returned his attention to Rose. “I’m president of the Hope Homeless Shelter’s board of directors. We recently received confirmation from the city council that they’re considering permitting a pawnshop to open on the same block as one of our homeless shelters.”
“Are you opposed to having the pawnshop in your neighborhood?”
“Yes, we are.”
“Why?” Rose had a great poker face. Did they teach that in law school?
Donovan couldn’t tell from her tone or expression whether she agreed with his board’s position. The uncertainty was unsettling. “Studies have shown a link between increased crime and pawnshops. Our board has voted to file a statement with the city council explaining our opposition to the pawnshop’s location.”
“And you want my help to file this statement.”
“Yes.” Donovan hesitated. “There’s just one problem. Our budget is very restrictive. We don’t have the money to pay for legal services.”
“You want me to work pro bono.” Rose spoke without inflection. Her expression was sphinx-like.
Donovan tried to read her eyes. What was her reaction to his request? “We’re operating on a very tight budget. We hadn’t anticipated the need for extensive legal services.” It was a true statement. Still, he wasn’t comfortable making the excuses.
“Filing a legal statement is a lot of work. I can’t just sit down at a computer and whip something up.”
Donovan still couldn’t read her reaction. Was she going to say no? Her refusal would have consequences, though. “I realize a legal brief isn’t a quick and easy document. Your reunion lasts an entire weekend.”
Rose’s eyes narrowed. “Are you comparing writing a statement to a reunion weekend?”
“You’re asking me to give up an entire weekend and spend it trying to convince strangers that we’re in love.” Donovan gestured toward her with his coffee mug. “You’re an attractive woman, but that’s still a lot to ask.”
