Enemies and Playmates
by Darcia Helle
© Copyright 2009 Darcia Helle
www.QuietFuryBooks.com
Smashwords Edition License Notes:
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold, copied, distributed, or reproduced for any purpose.
This book is a work of fiction. Names and events are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real people or events is entirely coincidental.
This ebook contains bonus material!
1
Gina hopped off the barstool. Perfect perpetually tanned legs, a teasing smile, dark eyes that lit up beneath long dark lashes. That was Gina. She not only turned heads, she stopped men in their tracks and left them drooling and speechless. “Let’s dance,” she said.
Carrie slipped off her stool. Short tousled bleached blonde hair, big blue eyes. Part hippie, part techno geek. She grabbed Lauren’s hand. “C’mon,” she said. “This is a great song.”
“Not yet,” Lauren said. “You guys go ahead.”
Gina sighed. “Sometimes you’re so uptight.”
Lauren picked at her nail polish as her two friends disappeared onto the crowded dance floor. The DJ kept the crowd moving with a contagious dance beat. Carrie’s platinum hair glowed under the flashing lights. More than a few men’s heads turned in their direction. Lauren looked away. Gina was right. Sometimes she was too uptight.
Around her, sexy young women in tiny skirts were inundated with attention by hopeful young men. They were all so at ease. Would she ever feel that way?
Lauren silently chastised herself. One of these days she’d throw caution to the wind and do something wild and crazy. She rolled her eyes. That would happen right about the time flying monkeys took over the world.
The guy two stools over was slowly leaning closer to her. The heavy scent of his spicy cologne stung her nostrils. She sensed his come-on before he spoke.
“Hello,” he said. “How are you this evening?”
Lauren mustered a smile. “I’m fine thanks. You?”
“Doing great,” he replied through a toothy grin. “Even better since you got here.”
Nothing original about this guy. He had short sandy hair and pale blue eyes. He wore a baggy designer t-shirt and baggy faded jeans. His line was dull. His look was dull. Lauren turned toward the dance floor in search of her friends.
“Can I buy you a drink?” the guy asked. His eyes remained fixed on her breasts.
“I’m all set,” Lauren replied. “Thanks anyway.”
He motioned to the empty spot on the bar in front of her. “You aren’t drinking?”
“I’m driving,” she said. She wasn’t, though he didn’t need to know that.
“But the night is young. One drink won’t hurt you.”
His voice had a cocky edge. Lauren shook her head. “No, I’d rather not.”
He shrugged. “My name’s Dean.”
“I’m Lauren.” She averted her eyes, picked at her nail polish. Were Gina and Carrie ever coming back or was she destined to spend the entire evening with Dean leering over her shoulder?
“Want to go someplace quiet?” Dean asked.
Lauren would have laughed had she not had polite etiquette programmed into her since birth. The guy offers to buy her a drink and now thinks she should be so flattered that she’ll fall right into bed with him? A few women probably did, though she couldn’t imagine why.
Lauren said, “I’m here with friends.”
“Yeah? Where are they?”
“On the dance floor.”
“Want to join them?”
“No thanks.”
Dean shrugged again. “Your loss.”
Lauren ignored his sarcasm, as well as his look of disdain. She turned her attention to the music and the people dancing. The DJ had switched to hip hop, though the beat hadn’t changed much. Lauren spotted Gina gyrating around two guys whose tongues practically hung to the floor. No sign of Carrie.
Dean cast a sideways glance, got up, and walked away. He repositioned himself toward the end of the bar, beside a blonde with silicone boobs jutting out of her lacy top. Lauren was glad to be rid of him.
Maybe she should swallow her nerves and get up on the dance floor with Gina and Carrie. It wasn’t as if she couldn’t dance. She did it all the time in her bedroom, when no one was watching. But it took her awhile to work up the nerve to dance in public. The night was young. People weren’t drunk enough yet.
She turned away from the dance floor and surveyed the crowd. She spotted him instantly. He was leaning casually against a pole, his black leather jacket the only rigid part of him. He was tall and muscular and unbelievably sexy. And he was staring right at her.
Lauren quickly looked away. Her breath caught in her throat and heat rose to her cheeks. She tried to concentrate on the music but, even with her back to him, she felt his eyes burning into her. He was by far the sexiest man she’d ever seen. Why had he been staring? Was he still? Why did she want that answer to be yes?
She turned her head a bit and easily caught a glimpse. He was still by the pole, still staring. His face was without expression, his stance casual. He made no move toward her, yet she was overpowered by his presence.
Lauren rubbed at the goose bumps on her arms and got the bartender’s attention. “Could I have a shot of tequila please?”
The two minutes the bartender took to pour her drink could have been an eternity. Lauren shifted her weight on the barstool, afraid to turn back toward the man in the black leather jacket. Was it the fact that he’d been looking at her that was making her uncomfortable? Or was it the thought that he might turn away? Maybe a little of both.
Had she been more like Carrie or Gina, she would have ordered a second drink and had it sent to the guy. Or boldly walked over and introduced herself. But she was not like them. For many reasons, she lacked that kind of confidence. Not to mention the minor issue of her total lack of trust where men were concerned.
Lauren swallowed the shot in one gulp. Her throat burned. Good. Maybe it would relax her. Maybe it would give her some courage.
She sensed his closeness before she turned. His erotic scent filled the air. Her palms began to sweat and her cheeks flushed. She took a deep breath and glanced to her right.
His vivid brown eyes caught her off guard. Such a deep shade of brown, they were almost black. He met her eyes, didn’t blink. But she was not as skilled as he and she had to look away.
“I’m sorry for staring,” he said. “Well, no, I’m really not. I’m just sorry for being so blatant about it.”
Lauren chuckled at his honesty. His voice was every bit as erotic as he. He smiled an easy, relaxed smile. He radiated a confidence that somehow managed to lack arrogance. Lauren’s skin grew warmer. She silently cursed the blush she couldn’t control.
“Are you waiting for someone?” he asked.
“No.” Lauren gestured to the dance floor. “I’m here with some friends.”
He touched the stool beside her. “Then can I sit here and buy you a drink?”
Lauren hesitated, her voice lost somewhere deep in his eyes. He grinned and said, “One drink? Then if you want me to get lost, I promise I will.”
Lauren couldn’t help but smile. “You’ve got a deal.”
He slid onto the stool. “My name’s Jesse Ryder.”
“Lauren Covington.”
“Covington? Any relation to Alex Covington?”
“He’s my father. Why?”
“I’ve been doing some work for him…”
Lauren’s stomach churned. She looked down at her hands and picked at her nail polish. It would figure. The first man she’d been tempted to let her guard down with and he worked for her father. He was probably a hit man or something. She should tell him to get lost. She should make up some excuse. She looked up and got lost in his eyes.
The bartender approached and said, “Can I get you two something?”
Jesse held Lauren’s eyes. “What are you drinking?”
“Kahlua sombrero.”
“And a rum and Coke, please.”
As the bartender walked away, Lauren tried to summon the courage to speak. He worked for her father. Was there any justice in this world?
“You don’t look anything like your father,” Jesse said.
“I take after my mom,” Lauren replied. She refrained from adding a thank God to that sentence. “So what kind of work do you do for him?”
“Mostly research, digging stuff out of the buried past. Nothing all that exciting.” Jesse pulled a twenty from his pocket and placed it on the bar. “I’m a private investigator.”
“Really? That must be interesting work.”
“Sometimes. Other times it’s boring as hell.”
Lauren chuckled. “I guess all jobs can be that way.”
The bartender returned, placing the drinks in front of them. Jesse pushed the twenty toward him, which he took and moved toward the register.
“Beware,” Lauren said. “Here come my lunatic friends now.”
Gina collapsed onto the stool on the other side of Jesse. “Well hello,” she said.
Jesse smiled. “Hi.”
“And you are?” Gina asked.
“Jesse.”
Gina’s ruby red lips gave a dazzling smile. “I’m Gina. And you are stunning.”
Jesse simply smiled. Carrie rolled her eyes as she slipped onto the stool beside Lauren. “Hi,” she said. “I’m Carrie.”
“Hi Carrie,” Jesse said. “It’s nice to meet you both.”
“Great club,” Gina said. “We’ve never been here before. I love the atmosphere.”
Gina twirled her long dark hair. Lauren chewed her lip, suddenly feeling more than a little inadequate.
Jesse nodded. “Yeah, it’s not a bad place.” He turned his attention to Lauren, locking his eyes with hers. “And I’m definitely liking the atmosphere.”
Lauren grew warm all over. She sipped her drink, not trusting herself to speak.
“Are you here alone?” Gina asked.
His eyes still locked on Lauren, Jesse said, “I was. But I hope I’m not anymore.” He flicked a glance at Gina and added, “I’m on probation till Lauren finishes her drink.”
Lauren laughed, relaxing despite herself. “Probation period is over.”
Jesse gave her a boyish grin. “And I’m allowed to stay?”
“Yes,” Lauren replied, grinning as well.
Jesse ordered a round for all of them and, despite protests from the girls, paid for them all. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’m not trying to get you all drunk so that I can take advantage of all of you. I’m man enough to admit there’s no way in hell I could handle that.”
“Unbelievable!” Carrie said. “A man who actually admits to his limitations.”
Lauren said, “A rarity indeed.”
Jesse leaned close to Lauren, his mouth inches from her ear. “Dance with me,” he murmured.
Lauren was suddenly aware of the slow pulsating beat of the music. A lump formed in her throat. His words had been more a gentle command than a question. Of course, she could still say no. His breath was hot against her neck. She swallowed the lump and managed to say, “Okay.”
They found a spot on the far end of the dance floor. Lauren put her hands loosely on Jesse’s shoulders. She was sure she looked as awkward as she felt.
Jesse’s hands wrapped around her waist and pulled her close. She wanted to melt into him. She wanted to run from him. The warmth of his hands created an intense fire on her skin that burned slowly within her.
Panic set in. What was wrong with her? Why did she feel this way about a total stranger? Why did she find it impossibly hard to resist the urge to nestle against his shoulder, kiss his neck…?
They swayed slowly, their bodies close. She didn’t trust her voice enough to speak. She didn’t dare look up into his eyes.
Finally the slow sensual beat was replaced by more raging techno. Lauren tilted her head up and was struck by how close Jesse’s lips were to her own. She backed up a step, hoping her complete lack of ease didn’t show. Jesse winked at her, then took her hand and led the way back to their seats.
Gina leaned in close to Jesse. “You two looked like you’ve done that before,” she said.
“I must confess,” Jesse said. “I have danced before.”
Gina’s lips glistened with her smile. “I meant together.”
Jesse gazed at Lauren, meeting her eyes and holding them. “Maybe we were Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in our last life.”
Lauren smiled, despite the storm raging inside her. She was much too attracted to Jesse. And he worked for her father. Of all people.
Jesse’s eyes narrowed, his attention focused somewhere behind Lauren’s shoulder. She turned to find Dean less than a foot away. She turned back, groaning. Jesse cocked his head. “Friend?”
“No,” Lauren replied. “An earlier aggravation.”
“I see,” Jesse said. “So he didn’t pass the probation period.”
“No,” Lauren said with a laugh. “He didn’t.”
Dean stepped closer. His voice was low and worked on being menacing. He said to Lauren, “I thought you weren’t drinking.”
“Changed my mind,” Lauren said.
“Changed your mind about dancing too?”
“Yup.”
“Good. Then let’s you and me dance.”
Dean put a hand on Lauren’s arm. As she jerked away from his touch, Jesse stood. He took a slow step toward Dean, towering at least four inches above him. For a moment Jesse simply stared at Dean, his expression indiscernible. Then, his voice quiet and controlled, he said, “You touch her again and I’ll break every bone in both your hands. Do you have any idea how many bones that is?”
Dean glared defiantly, though he staggered back a step. When he didn’t reply, Jesse said, “Each hand contains twenty-seven bones. I’ll break each one slowly, give you plenty of time to count.”
Dean muttered a few curses as he spun away. Gina’s eyes were wide with excitement. “Wow,” she said. “That was a huge turn-on.”
Lauren shot her friend a look of irritation. To Jesse she said, “Thank you. But I don’t want you risking a fight because of me.”
“I’m willing to take risks for a good cause,” Jesse said. “Besides, there wasn’t much risk involved with that.”
Carrie said, “You were so convincing. Would you really have broken his hands?”
“Absolutely,” Jesse said without hesitation.
“Damn,” Carrie muttered. “My last boyfriend would’ve let the guy maul me. The most I could’ve hoped for was that he’d call 911 after running away.”
Everyone laughed. Lauren heard herself talking, being part of the conversation, despite her growing need to protect herself by withdrawing. Jesse would have to be kept at arm’s length. If she could even be around him at all. She couldn’t explain it. But she felt it. He was one of those people who liked to be connected to whoever he was with. And that thought scared her more than anything.
Lauren searched her mind for a plausible escape. A good lie to get her out of this. “I have to make a call,” she said. “Excuse me a minute.” Before anyone could question her, she slipped off the stool and made her way toward the bathrooms.
A few minutes later she walked back to the bar. Her legs were weak. Jesse watched her. She tried to avoid looking in his eyes. “I have to go,” she said. “My brother’s got a house full of people. I promised my mom I’d keep an eye on him, so I have to get everyone out before my parents get home.”
“I’ll drive you,” Carrie said.
“No,” Lauren quickly replied. “Stay here and have fun. I’ll catch a cab.”
“I can drive you,” Jesse offered. “No need for you to get a cab.”
Lauren slipped her jacket on. “No, really, I’m fine. You guys enjoy the rest of the night.” She briefly met Jesse’s intense, questioning gaze. Guilt and sadness swept through her. She said, “Thanks for the drinks. I had fun.”
Before Jesse had a chance to reply, Lauren was weaving her way out through the crowd.
***
Lauren shuffled up the walkway. She was grateful to be home. She never should have danced with Jesse. What a fool she was. She still felt the warmth of his hands touching her as she pushed open her front door.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Alex shouted.
Lauren winced. Her father’s voice boomed throughout the house. She stood riveted to her place on the carpet, feeling as if she’d stepped into the middle of a bad movie she’d seen one too many times.
With an exaggerated flourish, her brother Stephen switched off the stereo and headed up the polished stairs. Alex’s voice bellowed after him. “Where do you think you’re going?”
Stephen didn’t turn. He kept his head down. His shoulders slumped. Lauren wished he would hurry, get up to his room, get out of their father’s way. But, as always, Stephen became more defiant, refusing to back down or show fear.
Alex stormed up the stairs behind Stephen. “Answer me, damn it!”
Stephen finally turned. His eyes bore into his father. “What?”
“Don’t play stupid with me. When are you planning on finding employment? I will not support your incompetence forever.”
“I told you, I’ll get a job.”
“You’ve been reciting that mantra long enough,” Alex said. “I strongly doubt you’ve so much as completed an application.”
“What the hell do you know?”
Stephen turned away and trudged up the remaining stairs. Alex followed close behind, his face red, his hands balled into tight fists. On the top landing, Alex slammed Stephen against the wall. He ground out the words, “I know a great deal more than you could ever hope to know.”
“Like how to beat on women?” Stephen said.
Alex’s fist caught Stephen square in the jaw. Blood oozed from Stephen’s lip. “Stop it!” Lauren shouted. She stood on the top stair, glaring at her father. “Leave him alone.”
Alex noticed her for the first time. He glared for a long moment before saying, “Stay out of this.”
Lauren met her father’s icy blue stare without flinching. “Leave him alone,” she repeated.
Alex breathed a heavy irritated sigh. He gave Stephen one last shove. “Remember what I said or you’ll be history to this family.” Then he strode past Lauren without a second glance.
Lauren stepped closer to her brother. “You okay?”
“Fine,” Stephen snapped. “I didn’t need you to rescue me.”
“Sorry,” Lauren snapped back. “Next time I’ll let dad beat you senseless.” She strode straight to her room, closing the door behind her.
2
Lauren awoke to the sound of insistent ringing. She grabbed her cell phone, too groggy to bother checking the caller ID display, and mumbled a greeting.
“Lauren?”
The voice had her instantly alert. “Yes.”
“It’s Jesse. From last night. Did I wake you?”
“No.”
“Yes I did. I’m sorry.”
Lauren glanced at her clock. 10:15. She rarely slept so late. “It’s okay.”
“Carrie gave me your number,” Jesse said. “I hope that’s not a problem.”
“Not at all.” Lauren sat up, tried to get herself together. First she acts like a fool by running out on him. Now she’s barely coherent. What a way to make an impression.
“I was hoping we could get together later,” Jesse said. “For dinner maybe?”
“Ummm…”
“If you’re busy, I understand.”
“No, I’m not busy tonight.” Lauren couldn’t believe those words had slipped from her mouth. She clenched the covers in her free hand, pulling them up around her chin. She would have liked to pull them over her head and pretend this wasn’t happening.
“So is that a yes?” Jesse asked.
“Yes,” she heard herself say. “Dinner tonight sounds great.”
“Cool. Seven okay?”
“Perfect.”
Lauren gave Jesse her address, all the while thinking how insane this was. She couldn’t go out with this man. She was too attracted to him. She couldn’t trust him. She couldn’t trust herself.
Thankfully Jesse wasn’t one for long phone conversations. She hung up, torn between childish giddiness and a full blown anxiety attack.
“Leave me alone!”
Lauren’s mother’s voice broke through her thoughts and her walls. Lauren slipped out of bed and pulled on her robe. Then she cracked open her door and peeked out.
“Please don’t,” Kara sobbed.
Lauren stepped into the hall. Her stomach knotted. Hearing her mother’s pleas should be just another typical part of her life here at home. But it wasn’t something she’d ever get used to.
She took another step toward her parents’ bedroom. The sound of a stinging slap froze her. Kara’s cries were muffled but the beating was not. Lauren remained in the middle of the hallway. She wanted to help. She wanted nothing more. But calling the cops would be a farce. Her father had too many connections. Too many people who owed him favors. The only outcome would be that her mother would get a worse beating afterward.
She’d tried before, when she was younger, to break up the fighting. That also made things much worse for her mother. And so her mother had asked her not to get involved. They all pretended it wasn’t happening. As if they were a happy family.
The door across the hall eased open. Stephen stepped out, looked at Lauren, then at their parents’ door. Neither said a word. Soon the sound of skin being slapped eased off. Kara’s muffled cries continued. Stephen glanced at Lauren once more, then stepped back into his room and closed the door. Lauren rubbed the knot in her stomach as she headed downstairs.
Her thoughts were lost, jumping from her mother’s cries to her upcoming date with Jesse. Her emotions swirled in a tangled mess. She wandered through the large, gleaming kitchen in a fog.
“I’ll have scrambled eggs,” Alex said.
His voice jarred her. She pushed the filter into the coffeemaker, then turned toward her father. He stood there, salt and pepper hair neatly combed, his face clean shaven. His deep blue silk suit was without a wrinkle. Every piece of him, down to the silk handkerchief in his suit jacket that matched his tie, was the model of perfection. He radiated success.
Lauren turned away. “I’m not cooking.”
“Excuse me?” Alex said.
“I said I’m not cooking.” Lauren poured water into the coffeemaker. “You can make them yourself.”
“I’m certain I must have misunderstood you.”
Stephen shuffled into the room. He plopped onto a chair at the table. “You making breakfast, sis?”
“No.” Lauren met her father’s glare. How could he stand there looking so respectable after just beating his wife?
Alex smiled. A hollow, contemptuous smile. He said, “I suppose I will be forced to disturb your mother then. She does make delicious eggs.”
“No,” Lauren said quickly. “Leave her alone.” Her defiance instantly deflated. “I’ll make your eggs.”
“Good. I’d like bacon as well.” Alex pulled a chair out and sat, careful not to wrinkle his suit. He glanced at his son. “Stephen, get me the paper from the front walk, will you?”
Stephen breathed a heavy sigh, though he did not argue. He left the room, returning minutes later with the newspaper. He tossed it on the table, then walked out without a word.
Lauren watched the bacon sizzling in the pan. She wanted to ask her father what he knew about Jesse. All those things a daughter should be able to ask her father. Absurd to even consider it.
What kind of work did Jesse do for him? Sure, law firms used private investigators all the time. But was the work legitimate? Or was Jesse simply another pawn for her father?
She’d long since stopped being naïve enough to believe that her father upheld the law. He twisted it to his advantage. He lied, cheated, and did whatever necessary to win. Was Jesse helping him with that?
The phone rang. Lauren poured the eggs into the pan. Her father didn’t make a move, so she bit back a snide remark and grabbed the receiver.
“Good morning, Lauren. This is Suzanne. Is your father in?”
“Hold on please.” Lauren handed the phone to her father. “It’s your secretary.”
Alex grasped the phone with a look or irritation. “Yes Suzanne?” After a pause, he said, “I realize that. I’m running behind this morning.” Another pause, then, “Tell Simmons to wait. He works for me, remember? I’ll be there in less than an hour.”
Lauren placed his breakfast in front of him as he clicked the phone off. She said, “You still have your secretary working on Saturdays?”
“Work doesn’t cease simply because it’s a weekend.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“Then why question that which you already presume to know?”
Lauren sighed. She couldn’t say what she was thinking, so she said nothing. She went up to her room, leaving her father to eat alone.
***
Three minutes past six. He’d be there in less than an hour. Clad in cream-colored panties and a matching bra, Lauren stood in front of her closet trying to keep her heart from leaping out of her chest. Her cell phone rang. For a moment she stood there holding her white jeans, staring at the intrusion. Then she picked it up and flipped it open.
“Did he call yet?” Carrie asked.
“Yes. And thanks a lot.”
“You’re welcome a lot.”
Lauren laughed. “Some friend you are.”
“Didn’t you want him to call?” Carrie said. “The guy is great to look at. And he’s actually got a great personality, too!”
“Yeah…”
“He begged me for your number. Not that he couldn’t have gotten it himself anyway. You know, he’s a smart guy, he could probably get a phone number without my help.”
“Did you stay long?” Lauren asked. Not that she really cared. Or so she told herself.
“Till closing,” Carrie said. “But he only stayed about a half hour after you left.” Carrie chuckled and added, “Just long enough to get your number.”
“Oh.” Lauren wasn’t sure why that made her feel better. “I’m surprised Gina didn’t convince him to stay.”
“She tried. He wasn’t biting.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah, he actually thwarted Gina’s sexual charms,” Carrie said. “So when are you seeing him?”
“Tonight.”
“Good for you! Are you nervous?”
“Very.”
“Thought so,” Carrie said. “Though I don’t know why. You had the guy practically panting over you.”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“I would. You should’ve heard the third degree I got last night. He thought you left to get away from him.”
“Why?” Lauren asked. “What’d he say?”
“Oh, he thought he might’ve been too pushy or something.”
“What did you tell him?”
“That you’re crazy sometimes.”
“Gee thanks.”
“I meant it in a nice way,” Carrie said. “How did things go with Stephen? Everything okay last night?”
“Yeah. Worked out fine.”
“Good.”
“I’ve got to finish getting ready,” Lauren said. “Jesse will be here soon.”
“Call me in the morning. I want details.”
As Lauren flipped her phone shut, she glanced at the clock. 6:17. She tugged on her jeans, suddenly worried that he’d show up early and she wouldn’t be ready. Telling herself that she had no more time to rummage through her clothing in search of the perfect shirt, if in fact one existed, she grabbed a violet sweater and pulled it over her head.
Standing in front of her mirror, she brushed her auburn hair for the fifth time. It didn’t look any different when she’d finished. Maybe she needed more makeup. More likely, she needed a miracle.
“This is it,” she said to her reflection.
Lauren grabbed her purse and went down to the living room. She found her mother sitting on the couch, sipping coffee from a large mug. She hesitated, wanting to offer words of comfort, to let her mother know she’d wanted to help that morning. But she said nothing because that was how it was in her family. They’d all been conditioned to pretend it wasn’t happening.
Kara looked up. A wide smile quickly transformed her. “You look great,” she said. “Where are you off to?”
“I’ve got a date.”
“Oh? With whom?”
If it weren’t for the slightest puffiness below her mother’s left eye, Lauren never would have noticed the bruise at all. Her mother did an amazing job concealing bruises with make-up. But, of course, her mother was an expert by now.
“A guy I met last night,” Lauren said.
“What’s he like.”
“He seems nice. Tall. Sexy.”
Kara smiled. “That certainly helps.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Lauren sat beside her mother. “I’m nervous.”
“I can tell.”
Lauren fiddled with the ruby ring her mother had given her on her sixteenth birthday, at the party her father had not shown up for. “You’ll be okay tonight?” she asked.
Kara gave her a small smile. “I’ll be fine. You go out and have a good time.”
“I’ll sure try.”
“You’re smarter than I was, you know.”
Lauren didn’t have to ask what her mother meant by that. Not all relationships had to be violent. They danced around the subject now and then, though her mother never actually came out and talked about it.
The doorbell rang. Lauren’s knees were weak as she made her way to the front entrance. She stood in the foyer a moment, inhaled deeply, then pulled the door open.
“You look amazing,” Jesse said. He held a single long-stemmed red rose. “For you.”
Lauren reached for it, hoping the flush she felt rising to her cheeks blended with her makeup. “Thanks. Come on in.”
“Jesse, this is my mom, Kara.” Lauren motioned into the living room. “I’m going to put this in a vase. I’ll be right back.”
Lauren lingered in the kitchen an extra minute, listening to her mother and Jesse make small talk. Then she took another deep breath and went back out. “Ready?” she asked.
Jesse nodded. “Sure am.”
***
Jesse parked on the top floor of the five-story parking garage. He and Lauren took the elevator down, then strolled along the street, past the historical buildings scattered throughout Boston’s North End. Lauren was surprised to find herself wishing that Jesse would hold her hand.
“Carrie told me the three of you have been friends forever,” Jesse was saying.
Lauren forced herself to concentrate on his words. His voice was deep and hypnotic. “We met in kindergarten.”
“Have you spoken to her today?”
“Briefly.”
“Did she mention that she threatened me?”
“Carrie did?” Lauren asked, genuinely surprised.
“Yup. She said if she gave me your number, I’d better be the best damn date you ever had.”
Lauren laughed. “Sounds like something Carrie would say.”
“So I guess I’ve got my work cut out for me tonight.”
Lauren wanted to tell him that he couldn’t be further from the truth. If the date had ended at that moment, it would already exceed any previous dates she’d had. How star struck did that sound? She looked up at him, met his eyes, and smiled. Good thing he couldn’t read her mind.
They stepped inside the small Italian restaurant. Lauren had never been there but she knew its reputation well. Everyone had heard of the place. Inside, it looked like a chunk of Italy had been dropped on the streets of Boston. The smell of garlic and tomato sauce permeated the air.
The maitre d’, complete with Italian accent, sat them at a back booth. Jesse promptly ordered a bottle of Le Macchiole Paleo Rosso. He did it with a confident ease that said he was familiar with ordering good wine and speaking Italian. But there was nothing in his tone to imply that it mattered to him in the least.
“I love Italian food,” Lauren said. As she spoke the words, she thought how dumb she sounded. Like a teenager on a first date.
“Yeah, me too.”
Lauren met Jesse’s gaze and warmth spread all the way to her toes. The waiter, who introduced himself as Antonio, brought their wine. He poured a sample, then waited while Jesse tasted it. With Jesse’s okay, he filled their glasses and left each of them an embossed menu with a leather cover.
Lauren immediately opened her menu, grateful for the distraction. She and Jesse discussed their choices, finding they had many of the same favorite foods. And many of the least favorites. When the waiter returned, they made it easy for him by ordering an appetizer to split and duplicate dinners, right down to the same salad dressing.
Lauren tried to study Jesse without being obvious. His dark wavy hair was slightly unruly. He was freshly shaven, though a permanent hint of a shadow remained. And he had the most intense eyes she had ever seen. Dark, mysterious, as if a world of secrets lay hidden behind them.
Jesse met her eyes. His smile was disarming. Lauren searched for something to say that wouldn’t come out sounding lame. She decided work was a safe topic. “So what kinds of things do you investigate?” she asked.
“Just about anything,” Jesse replied. “Missing persons, insurance fraud… whatever comes my way.”
“You do that for my father?”
“No. Well, sometimes. Occasionally he needs information on or for clients. I don’t work for him often. I’m self-employed, so I go where the work is.” Jesse sipped his wine. Still holding Lauren’s gaze, he said, “What about you? Are you planning on becoming a lawyer too?”
“No. I’m sticking with journalism. That’s my major.”
Jesse questioned Lauren about her choice as if he was truly interested. She told him she was in her last year at Harvard. She suddenly thought that sounded utterly stuffy but Jesse didn’t seem fazed one way or the other. She’d been working at the paper since she graduated high school. One of these days she hoped to actually write something the paper would print.
“You want to stay with Boston News?” Jesse asked.
“Yeah, hopefully they’ll give me some actual writing assignments once I’ve graduated.”
“I’m looking forward to reading your stuff,” Jesse said.
The waiter arrived with their meals. As they ate, Lauren grew more curious about the man across from her. She said, “Did you always want to be a private investigator?”
“No, when I was a kid I had big plans.” A hint of playfulness crept into Jesse’s eyes. “I was going to be the next Superman. But my sisters got sick of me stealing their tights and I could never figure the damn things out anyway.”
Lauren laughed. “Too bad. I bet you would have looked good in them.”
Jesse grinned. “I gave up my Superman dream and got my degree in criminal law. I became a cop but quit after six months.”
“Why?”
“I hated it. Too much bureaucracy. I don’t conform well.”
Lauren’s smile widened. Jesse certainly didn’t seem anything like her father. “You like what you do now?” she asked.
“Very much. Most of the time, at least.”
“I guess we all have those days when we’d rather be doing something else.”
“Was your dad disappointed?”
Lauren’s brows furrowed. “About what?”
“You not going to law school,” Jesse said. “He must’ve wanted you to be a partner.”
“No.” Lauren pushed her food around with her fork. “My father doesn’t believe women should be lawyers. We’re too emotional.” Her father also liked to say that women were too weak. But Lauren left that part out.
“Oh.”
“I didn’t want to go into law, anyway,” Lauren said. “But I think my father’s disappointed about my brother not going in that direction.”
“What does your brother want to do?”
“Anything other than become a lawyer.”
Jesse’s eyebrows lifted but he made no comment. Lauren shifted in her seat. Time to move the conversation away from her family. “Is your family from Boston?” she asked.
“Yup. I grew up on the South end. But my parents moved to Florida about a year ago.”
“You must miss them.”
“I do. Two of my sisters went with them. My older sister stayed here.”
“Are the two of you close?”
“Yes and no,” Jesse replied. “I love her but she can be a major snob.”
Lauren listened with amusement as Jesse talked about his sister and her husband. She could relate to the pretense and the condescending attitudes he described. She lived it to the extreme.
Did others perceive her family as pretentious? Probably. Though her father didn’t pretend. He truly believed he was better than anyone else.
“How old is your brother?” Jesse asked.
“Seventeen. His name is Stephen.”
“Are you close?”
Lauren sighed. “We used to be.”
“What happened?”
Good question. Too many years pretending life was something it wasn’t. Too much time spent suppressing their emotions, to the point where they showed none at all. “I’m not sure,” she said. “Maybe just a stage.”
Lauren managed to steer the conversation away from her family throughout the remainder of dinner. They shared a decadent dessert, a mound of vanilla ice cream laced with rich raspberry sauce, covered in a white chocolate shell and topped off with real whipped cream. Jesse spoke with ease about his life while Lauren wondered what his lips would feel like against hers.
As they walked out to the parking lot, Jesse took Lauren’s hand. The warmth sent a shiver through her. She’d never wanted someone so badly. Yet, the thought of letting him close terrified her.
“Do you want to go to a club? Or a movie or something?” Jesse asked.
“I really shouldn’t,” Lauren said. “I’ve got a paper due Monday morning that I haven’t even started yet.”
Jesse leaned against his car, a black ’67 Mustang in mint condition. He took Lauren’s hands in his and said, “So seeing you tomorrow is out of the question?”
Lauren lost herself in the depths of his eyes. “I really have to get it done.”
“You still have to eat.”
“You have a point there.”
“Tomorrow night? Just a quick break?”
Lauren couldn’t help but smile. “Okay.”
By the time they pulled into her driveway, Lauren’s stomach was in knots. She wanted Jesse to hold her, to kiss her. She was equally afraid of letting it happen. Jesse turned his body slightly toward her. His hand touched her hair. His eyes searched hers. She found her voice and said, “I had a great time tonight.”
“Me too.”
His lips were warm and soft against hers. A rush of new sensations flooded her body. Heat rose to her cheeks and she hoped it was too dark for him to notice the blush.
Jesse pulled away slowly, tracing her lips with his fingers. “I’ll see you tomorrow night,” he said.
Lauren reluctantly stepped out of the car. Her lips still tingled from the kiss. Her entire body sizzled.
Jesse backed his Mustang out of the driveway. Lauren stood in the foyer and watched it roll down the street. Then she closed the front door behind her. Back home. Back to her private hell.
3
Lauren pulled open the refrigerator. “Anyone want a soda?”
“No, I want details,” Carrie said.
Gina took a cookie from the glass jar on the counter. “Yeah, spill it Lauren.”
“We just went out for dinner,” Lauren said. “It was a nice night. Nothing earth-shattering to report.”
“Where did he take you?” Gina asked.
“Santori’s”
Gina whistled. “Nice place.”
Carrie asked, “Are you seeing him again?”
“Tonight.”
“Tonight?” Carrie said. “You’ve got to be holding out on us.”
Just then, Alex strolled through the back door. “Hello ladies,” he said.
“Hi Mr. Covington,” Carrie said.
Gina smiled that dazzling smile. “Hello.”
“And what are you lovely ladies up to this evening?” Alex asked.
“Looks like Carrie and I are on our own,” Gina said. “Lauren’s got a date.”
“Is that so?” Alex said. “Lucky guy.”
Lauren twisted the ring on her finger. If her friends only knew the truth about this man with his perfectly creased Armani suit. “As a matter of fact,” Lauren said, “I’d better get ready.”
“Knowing you,” Gina said, “that will be an ordeal. You’ll have everything in your closet scattered on your bed before you decide on an outfit.”
Lauren ushered her friends outside and promised to call them with details the next day. Her thoughts were miles away when she walked back into the kitchen.
“Tell your boyfriend he’d better show up tomorrow,” Alex said.
Lauren stopped inside the door. “What are you talking about?”
“Your boyfriend. Tell him he is expected at my office tomorrow. I will not accept his feeble excuses.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You are dating Jesse Ryder, correct?”
Lauren nodded. “But -”
“Your prince charming walked out on his job today,” Alex said. “He claims that dating you while working for me is presenting a conflict of interest. Therefore he chose to give up his job.” His eyes bore into her. “I would not have anticipated such weakness from Mr. Ryder.”
Lauren averted her eyes from her father’s icy stare. “I don’t see why -”
“Tell him that I expect him in my office at eight tomorrow morning.” Alex strode across the room, stopping within inches of Lauren. He took her chin in his hand and pulled her face up toward his. “If he can’t do that, you won’t see him again. That will end the nonsense of conflicting interests. Understood?”
The smell of woman’s cologne filled Lauren’s nostrils. “You can’t -”
“I can.”
Alex turned and abruptly left the room. Lauren was left staring into the empty air.
What had she gotten herself into? She should have known better than to date a man involved with her father. She should have known there would be problems. What could Jesse possibly be doing for her father that would present a conflict of interest while they were dating? Something to do with one of her father’s many girlfriends, maybe? Or something much worse?
She should simply break the date. That would put an end to all of this. But the thought depressed her. She really wanted to see Jesse again. And he obviously felt the same way or he wouldn’t have quit his job.
But why hadn’t he mentioned it to her?
The first guy she truly had feelings for. The first guy her father had something to say about. Sadly, it made perfect sense.
***
Jesse took Lauren to a small restaurant overlooking the harbor. He had reserved a corner booth by the window. The sun had already set. Stars glistened in the sky and a perfect half-moon reflected against the water.
Lauren gazed out at the boats rocking in the ocean. “Those are beautiful boats,” she said.
“Do you sail?” Jesse asked.
“Never been,” Lauren replied. “You?”
“I’ve sailed a few times. It’s okay. A lot of work. I prefer speedboats and I love to water ski.”
“I’ve always thought that looked like fun.”
“It’s great. You’ve never tried it?”
“No.”
“I’ll get you out there this summer,” Jesse said. “You’ll love it.”
The waitress took their order. Lauren chose baked haddock because it was the first thing she saw on the menu. Jesse ordered steak and fries with a Sam Adams. Lauren opted for iced tea, though it might be better to drown out her thoughts with a bottle of wine.
While they waited for their meal, Lauren managed to hold a conversation despite the thoughts nagging at her. Should she ask Jesse about quitting the job at her father’s firm? Or should she let it go? Whatever was going on wasn’t really any of her business. Then again, if it was true that she was causing a conflict of interest, it was her business. Her head throbbed.
Lauren absently pushed the remainder of her meal around her plate. Her mind was a cluttered mess. She wanted to escape it all.
What she really wanted was to escape her father.
“Is something wrong?” Jesse asked.
Lauren looked up, a bit startled. She’d been miles away in thought. “No, why?”
“You seem kind of distant all of a sudden.”
“No, nothing’s wrong.”
“Reading your food the way some people read tea leaves?”
“No.” Lauren sighed. “It’s just that, well, my father told me you walked out on your job with him.”
Jesse frowned. “Yeah, I did. But that was between him and me. I hope he isn’t sticking you in the middle.”
“He told me you quit because dating me was causing you a conflict of interest.”
“No, I didn’t quit because of you. Granted, this complicated things a little. But your father… he needs a different guy for what he wants done. That’s all.”
“What was he asking you to do?”
Jesse leaned back in his chair. His gaze dropped to the floor. “I can’t get into that.”
“Why not?”
“You’d have to ask him,” Jesse said. “It’s not something I can talk about.”
“Was it something illegal?”
Jesse reached across the table, taking Lauren’s hand. “Look Lauren, I’m sorry, I honestly can’t go there. But it has nothing to do with us.”
“Okay.” Lauren stared down at the table. His hands held hers. Their warmth contrasted sharply with the cold inside of her. She was confused and hurt and didn’t know whether to be mad or thankful.
“I’m really sorry,” Jesse said. “I wish I could tell you.”
“Are all your jobs like this?”
“What do you mean?”
“Secret,” Lauren said. “So you can’t talk about them.”
“No. Sometimes. This one is complicated.”
“Because he’s my father.”
“Yes,” Jesse said. “Because he’s your father. And because of the nature of the work.”
“He wanted me to tell you to be in his office at eight tomorrow morning.”
“Jesus. I am really sorry that he put you in the middle.”
Lauren shrugged. “It’s not your fault.”
“I’ll talk to him. Okay?”
“That’s up to you,” Lauren said. “I was just passing along the message.”
“I know. That’s exactly what I’ll talk to him about. It’s got nothing to do with you.”
Lauren offered a thin smile. “My father sometimes has boundary issues.”
Jesse ran his finger along the side of Lauren’s face. “I don’t want to cause any problems for you at home.”
Lauren chewed her lip to keep from laughing. If only she could tell him how ludicrous that was. She had nothing but problems at home.
She was bothered by the fact that Jesse couldn’t or wouldn’t tell her what he’d been doing for her father. She tried to be mature and understand that it was business and there was the whole confidentiality thing. And it wasn’t like she didn’t have secrets of her own. That didn’t seem to make the knot in her stomach any looser.
She sighed, tried to smile. “Don’t worry,” she said. “Whatever you decide won’t change anything for me at home.”
The ride home was quiet. Lauren couldn’t seem to shake the mood. She tried to be logical. None of this changed her feelings for Jesse. The fact that he was actually refusing work at her father’s firm was, in all probability, a good thing. She’d always known that any man she chose would not get along with her father. It had to be that way. So she should be happy. Maybe she would be, if she understood.
Then again, she had a lot of nerve expecting Jesse to confide in her when she hadn’t even come close to being honest with him. What would he say if she told him the truth about Alex Covington?
When they reached her house, Jesse turned toward her. His eyes held hers. “I’m sorry, Lauren.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“Then why won’t you talk to me?”
Even in the darkness of the car, Lauren lost herself in Jesse’s eyes. They were so intense, so full of emotion. How could she explain that she simply didn’t talk to anyone? How could she expect him to understand her world?
“I… I guess the secrecy thing is bothering me. But I do understand.”
“I’d tell you everything if I could,” Jesse said.
Lauren fidgeted in her seat. She wasn’t sure what to say, what to do. Jesse ran his fingers through her hair. His touch made her shiver. She wanted so badly to trust him. To trust somebody.
“I’m being silly,” she said.
“No you’re not,” Jesse replied. “So can I see you again? I’ll do my best to make this up to you.”
“I…” Lauren swallowed the dry lump in her throat. She was torn between clinging to him and running away.
“I’ll back off if that’s what you want,” Jesse said. “But it’s not what I want.”
“It’s just that… I’m not very good at this.”
“That’s okay. I’m real patient.”
4
Jesse pushed the snooze alarm off for the second time. He forced his eyes open and stared blankly at the ceiling. The soft sound of rain tapping against his window lulled him back to sleep.
Minutes later the insistent buzzing jarred him awake once more. Reaching out blindly toward the intruding sound, he knocked the alarm clock from the nightstand. It clattered against the hardwood floor, sending a chunk of plastic skittering beneath the bed.
Propping himself up on his elbow, Jesse assessed the damage. “Shit,” he muttered.
He took a deep breath and pushed himself out from beneath the warm covers. Stepping over the broken alarm clock, he made his way to the bathroom. He turned on the shower and let the blast of cold water shock him awake. Then he adjusted the temperature to a more tolerable temperature and lazily washed, all the while wondering why most of the world insisted on functioning so early in the morning.
After standing beneath the water long enough to drain the hot water tank, he realized he was as awake as he was going to get. He reluctantly shut the water off, grabbed a towel, then searched for something clean to wear. As he pulled on faded jeans, his thoughts drifted to Lauren. He couldn’t quite figure her out. But, damn, he was intrigued.
He’d almost fallen off his chair that first night when she’d said Alex Covington was her father. Bastard was too good a word for that man. The guy was a twisted control freak. What was he doing in a relationship with the guy’s daughter?
Was it even a relationship?
Damn.
Out in the kitchen, Jesse opened the refrigerator and scanned its contents. The sight of food made his stomach churn. He settled for a glass of orange juice. After two sips, he dumped the remainder in the sink. He yawned, grabbed his keys from the counter, and left his apartment.
The early driving rain had slowed to a drizzle. Thick patches of fog settled across the ground. His Mustang was barely visible through the dense fog. He slumped into the seat. What a great morning to stay in bed.
He muttered a curse directed at the world in general but meant more toward himself. He was normally so good with casual relationships. And he’d sworn never to get involved with a client or anyone linked to a job he worked. Now he found himself strongly attracted to a woman he wasn’t even sure cared if he existed. A woman with a strong link to several recent jobs he’d worked. What the hell was he thinking?
After weaving through forty-five minutes of traffic, Jesse pulled into the already crowded parking lot. He took a deep breath, swore at no one and nothing in particular, and stepped out into the day. The mostly glass building glittered in the growing sunlight. Jesse sighed and walked inside Covington’s Law Firm.
“Good morning Mr. Ryder,” Suzanne said. “Mr. Covington is waiting for you.”
“Didn’t know he was psychic,” Jesse replied.
Suzanne overlooked the sarcasm. She said, “I’ll let him know that you’re here.” She disappeared into Covington’s office, then quickly reemerged. “You can go in now, Mr. Ryder.”
“Thanks,” Jesse replied.
Jesse walked past Suzanne, into Alex Covington’s spacious office. He assumed Covington was expecting him to give in. To go back on the job. That wasn’t about to happen.
Alex rose from the plush chair behind his oversized mahogany desk. “You’re late,” he said.
“I’m here,” Jesse said.
“You were due promptly at eight.”
“I wasn’t due here at all.”
“Yet you were wise enough to show,” Alex said.
Without waiting for an invitation, Jesse sat on one of the chairs opposite Alex’s desk. Alex Covington’s intimidation did not work on him. All it did was piss him off. He said, “Why did you involve Lauren in this?”
Alex lowered himself back into his chair. “I have neither the time nor the inclination to have this discussion with you,” he said. “You were hired to perform certain jobs which -”
“That’s just it,” Jesse said. “I never agreed to what you’re asking.”
“Until your recent indiscretion, you had proven yourself to be a valuable asset to this firm,” Alex said. “You performed responsibly, discreetly, and professionally. You proved your worth, which is why you were chosen to complete the tasks at hand.”
“I suppose I should be flattered?”
Alex didn’t respond. He simply stared at Jesse while rapping his fingers against his desk.
Jesse sighed. “Look, I told you I won’t do what you’re asking with the murder case. Under no circumstance would I ever do it. And as for tailing your wife, that would definitely be awkward. But, regardless of Lauren, that’s just not my thing. None of this has anything to do with Lauren.”
Alex leaned forward. “It does now.”
“This should be between the two of us. No one else.”
“Forget Kara,” Alex said. “I’ll deal with my wife in other ways. However, the other task is not up for debate. You will complete the job or I will put an abrupt halt to your career.”
“I don’t give in to threats.”
“I don’t make threats, Mr. Ryder. I make only promises.”
Jesse stood. “I won’t do it. I got out of law enforcement because I wouldn’t play the games and bend the rules to win. I’m certainly not about to start doing it for you.”
Alex snorted. “Do us both a favor and get off your moral high horse.”
“Christ, you want me to mess with evidence so that your client can walk free,” Jesse said. “Your client is a cold-blooded killer. What makes you think he won’t do it again?”
“I don’t care whether he does it again,” Alex said. “I care about winning.” Alex pushed his chair back and rose. He leaned forward, pressed his hands against his desk and glared at Jesse. “My client is an important man. He takes care of me and I do the same for him. That’s how it works, Mr. Ryder. I’m surprised you haven’t learned that by now.”
“That’s how it works in your world,” Jesse said. “And that’s why I refuse to live or work in your world.”
“You’re willing to give up your career and my daughter over your virtuous code of ethics?”
“I don’t plan on giving up either.”
“We’ll see.”
Jesse glared back at Alex. He was in deeper than he cared to be with this man. He’d known Covington’s reputation when he’d taken that first job. The job had been minor. He’d thought he could handle it. And he had. He just hadn’t counted on things escalating so quickly.
Alex drummed his fingers on the desk. His face showed controlled anger. He said, “You could have gone far with us. Walk away now and you will lose all you’ve worked for.”
Jesse turned and strode to the door. “Don’t be so sure,” he said. He walked out before giving in to the urge to pound Covington’s face into the polished wood.
***
Jesse had spent the past half hour taking out his frustrations on the weight bench at the gym. His arms throbbing, he slammed the bar against the bench as if Alex Covington’s head lay between them.
Would it be any easier had he not gotten involved with Lauren? Less complicated, yes. But he’d still be backed against a wall. How the hell had that happened?
“Bad day?” Tim asked.
Jesse glanced at the next bench, where his best friend since childhood was working out. “You could say that,” he replied.
“Work?”
“Yes and no.” Jesse stood and stretched his back. “Remember I told you I’d been doing some work for Alex Covington?”
Tim rolled his eyes. “Yeah.”
“Well you were right. I never should have done it.”
“What happened?”
Jesse grabbed his towel and wiped sweat from his forehead. He said, “Well, it was simple at first. He had me doing research for a few cases. A few personal things for him but nothing that was a big deal. The money was great. No problems.” Jesse sighed. “Then the other day he called me to his office for a private meeting.”
“To praise your outstanding work ethics?” Tim asked.
“Kind of started out that way,” Jesse said. “His opener was to tell me how good my work was and how far I could go with the law firm.”
“Uh-oh.”
“You got that right.”
Jesse glanced around to make sure no one was in ear shot. He dropped his voice and said, “I had impressed Covington so much that my next job was to dig up dirt on some guy he’s trying to frame. For murder. And after I’d dug up what I could, I was to manufacture and plant the rest of what was needed.”
“Nice.” Tim dropped his weights and sat up. “He either really hates this guy or he’s protecting someone important.”
“Both. His client, the murder suspect, is way up there on the political ladder. And the guy he wants to frame happens to be suing one of Covington’s clients. A surgeon. Malpractice case.”
Tim gave a low whistle. “Covington’s got balls, eh?”
“Sure does.”
“I take it you refused.” Tim said.
“Of course.”
“And now you know too much. You’ve become a liability.”
“You got it,” Jesse said. “And that’s not all of it.”
“How much worse can it get?”
“The other night, remember I mentioned I had a date with a girl I’d just met.”
Tim nodded. “Yeah...”
“She’s Covington’s daughter.”
“Jesus, he used his daughter to set you up?”
“No,” Jesse replied. “Covington had nothing to do with it. But I really like this girl.”
“And?”
“And Covington’s threatening to make problems. With her and with my business.”
“So what now?”
“I’ve got some ideas.” Jesse swiped a chunk of damp hair from his forehead. “I might need your help.”
“Anytime. You know that.”
“I’m going to look into a few things this afternoon. I’ll give you a call later.”
***
The office Jesse rented was on Park Drive in the Back Bay of Boston. When he arrived, his secretary was sitting at her desk typing. Jesse greeted her with a smile. “Hey Dawn,” he said. “How are you today?”
“Great,” Dawn replied, returning the smile. “How about you?”
“I’ve had better days.”
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