Claire dropped into the chair in front of the desk. “By ‘they,’ I assume you mean Luke Buchanan?”
“Well, yes. I mean, he is the executive vice president and the one who would give it the thumbs up.”
Claire looked at her for a long time before she spoke again. “We’ve been friends for what seems like forever, Julia. I love you more than if we were sisters. I don’t know what went on in suburban Massachusetts, but you can’t hide much from me.”
“Claire, I…”
“No. Let me finish. You know what I think about Charles. What I’ve always thought about him. You have to get him to sign the final papers before he smells something and screws it all up. The faster the divorce is final, the better off you’ll be. And I guarantee you it will be better for the children.”
Claire was right about their friendship. They’d bonded as college roommates and were attendants at each other’s weddings. Claire and her husband were the twins’ godparents. And she’d been Julia’s rock of support, her confessor, and her comforter through the whole nasty mess. Many days, Julia wasn’t sure she would have survived without her friend. Charles was never one of Claire’s favorite people and was always aware she detested him for the way he treated Julia.
“I’m calling my attorney right now. Charles still hasn’t signed the divorce papers and I’m tired of playing this game.”
Claire raised an eyebrow. “What in God’s name is it for this time?”
Julia shrugged. “He thinks he can talk me into calling off the whole thing.”
Claire’s eyes widened. “Is he crazy?”
Julia sighed heavily. “I think so. Probably. I just want this done. Finally. I’m calling Harry Whitaker right now.”
“Be careful, sweetheart.” Claire’s voice carried a warning tone.
“About what? What can he do? He’s not going to shoot me.”
“Texas law says a man can get a divorce on the grounds of adultery. If there’s anything going on between you and Luke Buchanan, and Charles finds out, technically you’re still married to him and he can tear up the whole agreement. He can divorce you on his terms.”
Julia picked up the phone. “Harry needs to put some muscle into this thing.”
“I’m running out of patience, too,” Harry told her when he answered the phone. “I’ll see if we can’t get this finished in the next day or two.”
“I want it over with, Harry,” she told him.
“As good as done,” he assured her.
But even after she hung up, an uneasy feeling wiggled through her system.
* * * *
The next day, she called Luke to tell him she was set for the trip.
“I’m making plans to arrive Tuesday morning. I’ll call you back as soon as I make the reservations.”
“The company will take care of those, Julia.” His voice was firm. “I’ll have my secretary arrange things today.”
“I’ll handle it,” she protested. “We’re going to be making money on this.”
“Don’t worry. We can afford it. Besides, I was the one who asked you to make this extra trip. And I’ll pick you up at the airport myself.”
“Won’t people wonder if you do?” She fidgeted. “I don’t want to put you in an uncomfortable position.”
“Not to worry. I’ve already mentioned I’d be taking you to the plant to look around. It’s much more convenient to leave directly from Boston than to come here first, so they’d expect me to meet you. Relax. We’re all business.”
But she could hear the smile in his voice.
“Uh huh. If you say so.” She smiled herself. “Okay. I’ll see you next week.”
She hung up the phone, elated, and leaned back in her chair, her eyes far away, and the smile still on her face. How was it possible to feel this way about a man after spending less than twenty-four hours with him? Was she deluding herself? Was Luke just fascinated with her—an equally improbable idea—and she the one making too much of it? She mentally shrugged. It was what it was, and soon they’d be together again.
She was still sitting there, dreamy-eyed, when Claire wandered in.
“Mm-hmm. Do I sniff another phone call with the sexy voice?”
“Business, Claire.” Julia waved a hand in the air. “Nothing more than business.”
“This is me, honey.” Claire laughed, a knowing look on her face. “You might convince someone else but I know you too well. So what’s the word today? Are we set for the rollout campaign?”
“I’m going up there for three days next week,” Julia said, suddenly busy with folders on her desk.
Claire cleared her throat. “Uh, Julia? What did Harry say about the signing?”
“He’s confident we can complete this by tomorrow.” She mentally crossed her fingers.
“I sure hope so, kiddo. If he does, I’ll be treating you to a celebration like you’ve never seen before.” Claire went over to her friend and hugged her tightly. “Enjoy yourself next week, Julia. You’ve earned some happiness.”
But that afternoon a phone call from Harry gave her a prickle of unease.
“Charles is out of town until next Tuesday,” he told her.
“What?” Her fingers tightened on the telephone and she felt as if someone dropped a chunk of ice into her stomach. Did he think this was some kind of punishment? That he could dangle the carrot forever until she changed her mind? “Harry, I—”
“I know, I know,” he interrupted. “I said everything to his attorney. But I promise you I’m over it. I muscled the attorney and told him to quit mucking around or we’d go back to court and ask for even more.”
Julia allowed herself a tiny laugh. “At least it’s nice to contemplate. I’m getting tired of this, Harry. We don’t really need his signature. It just makes it a lot neater. I know we agreed it would be best if we could just do this without any more ripples, but it’s getting ridiculous. If he refuses to sign let’s just get a date, go to court, and get the judge to sign the decree.”
Harry’s sigh carried to her over the connection. “We
