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Uh…
I twisted my hands, waiting for the big question, figuring he was warming me up before he asked what he really wanted to know. “Good. A little bit surreal. She is the mayor after all.”
“She’s a good woman. I wouldn’t be worried about working with her.” Mr. St. James took another drink of his coffee. “And how were the other women you are working with?”
Here it was. The reason he had shown up.
“They were both lovely. I think we’ll get along for the duration of the project.”
If he was going to be vague with questions, I was going to be vague with my answers. Even though I’d planned to tell him nothing about his ex, I was going to make him come right out and ask before I told him I wasn’t giving him any information on Delaney.
He smiled. “Glad to hear it. I admit, I felt a little guilty about sending you over there at the last minute. I know it’s not something you were looking forward to, so I appreciate it. And whenever you need time off for this project, you can have it. If you need help with cases, let me know.”
I lifted my chin. “That’s good because I’m meeting them for lunch today.”
Why I’d told him that, I didn’t know. Because now, he knew I was going to see his ex-wife again.
“All right. Do you need anyone to help you with anything while you’re gone?”
“No.”
“Great.” He lifted his mug. “Why don’t you get some coffee? You deserve it.”
And with that, he walked away.
I sprinted to the door to see if he was going to turn around and come back, but by this time, he was halfway down the hall. It was then that I realized he must not know I was working with his wife. And I didn’t know what he would do if he found out.
Which only meant one thing.
I now had to keep it a secret from both of them that I was working with the other.
As if I didn’t have enough things to worry about.
* * *
Around noon, I walked into the restaurant where I was meeting Delaney and Rayne with a cloud of unease hanging over my head.
I needed this project to go smoothly, and while I didn’t want to do it, I realized Mr. St. James was right. It would look good to the partners, and if they didn’t want me as a partner when the time came to decide, it would look good on my résumé when I sought out a new firm. And if it was going to go well, I didn’t need any drama.
I decided that I wasn’t going to tell either one of them I was working with their ex. If they asked, I wouldn’t lie, but if they didn’t ask, they would never have to know. It was best for everyone involved.
“Good afternoon. May I help you?” asked the woman at the hostess stand.
“I’m meeting a couple people. The table is under St. James,” I told her.
“I’m here too,” a breathless voice said behind me, and I turned to see Rayne hurrying toward me.
“This way, please. Ms. St. James is here.”
Rayne and I followed the hostess to our table. When Delaney saw us, she smiled and stood.
“Hello, ladies,” she said.
“Hello,” both of us responded at the same time. Rayne laughed at our double greeting.
“Have either of you been here before?” Delaney asked after we both were seated and our menus were handed to us.
“No,” I said, and Rayne shook her head.
