“Contrary to me, you mean?”
“We can’t help it. Whenever we love someone, we give that person power over us, and that influence can linger for a long time even after the love is gone.”
“You know what? I’m tired of being kept under his thumb. I don’t want to fear him anymore. Tegan is right; we should fight back.”
Gosh, when Miss Attorney gets this passionate, she’s so beautiful… I wonder how she looks when she’s making love—
“Did I say something wrong?” Vivian’s voice cuts into my X-rated fantasy.
I cough. “Err… no. Why?”
“You have a weird expression.” Her eyes narrow. “Are you blushing?”
“No, of course not.” I tug my finger at my shirt collar. “It’s just boiling in here. Aren’t you hot?”
She shrugs. “Seems perfectly fine to me.”
“Well, I don’t want to steal any more of your time.” I get up, afraid of what I might say or think next. “I should go.”
Vivian walks me to the door and holds it open for me, but before I can leave, she stops me, her hand gently grabbing my arm.
“Thank you for Saturday,” she says. “And for everything else.”
Her eyes are big and warm… and her mouth is so close. If I leaned down just a few inches, I could kiss her again.
Suddenly, I don’t want to go anymore. I hesitate on the threshold, saying, “I’m glad I could help you and Tegan. It’s great to make a difference in someone’s life.” Then I scramble for something else to say, blabbing the first thing that pops into my head. “By the way, thank you for sending Mrs. Elkins to me. I was surprised the referral came from you.”
Vivian waves me off. “Oh, please, you did the same with the Friedmans. And besides, it was obvious Jade was still in love with her husband. I would never suggest a divorce when it’s not warranted.”
“You did with the Thomases.”
“I hadn’t pinned them down as the second chance type of couple. It took your…”
She flaps her hands, searching for the right word, so I offer, “Shrinking voodoo?”
“Yep, that, to patch them up.”
Vivian watches me, and I frantically search for the next thing to say. Nothing comes, so she speaks again. “Well, anyway, at least the week is almost over. I’ve had enough of work.”
And she’s given me the perfect conversational hook. “I hope you’re doing something less stressful this weekend.”
“Oh, yes. I have a date on Saturday.”
My good mood evaporates.
“Yeah,” I mutter. “I have one of those as well.”
I really don’t want to discuss her going on dates with other men, so I take a step back, putting some distance between us.
“I need to go now and get my thoughts in order before my next clients arrive in twenty minutes.”
Beating a hasty retreat, I cross the hall to my door. Vivian lingers on the threshold, leaning with a shoulder on her doorframe.
“Good luck on your date,” she calls after me. “I hope she isn’t a witch this time.”
I unlock the door and pause for a second before getting in, locking eyes with Vivian. “And I hope he won’t bring his mother.”
I wink, and stare in satisfaction at Vivian’s jaw as it drops in outrage. Before all hell can break loose, I seek refuge in the safety of my office.
Twenty-five
Vivian
As I get ready for dinner in the city Saturday night, I’m not as enthusiastic as I should be. Maybe because, so far, the agency has only set me up with losers. I’ve complained, but, according to Barbara, my Dating Specialist, the next great American novelist was on his first spin and hadn’t been vetted yet. And with Roger, she told me I was the only woman to ever be approved for a second date, so she had no way of knowing he’d bring his mother along.
When Barbara and I got off the phone, I didn’t know if I should be flattered or scared to death that mama’s-boy liked me so much.
Anyway, my dating specialist has assured me she’s stepped up her game, and that my date tonight should leave me breathless. Barbara has described my mystery man as handsome and a real catch. So, why can’t I summon some excitement?
I wonder how Lucas feels. From what Lee has told me, his dates have been even worse than mine—not to mention the dreadful one I witnessed firsthand. The agency must’ve found a pretty special woman for him, too, tonight if they hope to keep their reputation and our business.
A little ball of acid spreads in my stomach. Oh, I must already be hungry. Weird, because I ate a substantial lunch with Tegan today, to celebrate putting her father behind us once and for all. Yesterday, after speaking with Lucas, I drafted two affidavits. The first, detailing what happened to me as a student all those years ago. And the other, reporting Tegan’s testimony of last weekend. This morning we signed and posted them, and by now, the envelopes should be on their way to Boston. And if that pig ever tries any legal action for defamation, a simple DNA test would bulletproof our defense.
Anyway, this date I’m going on… Even if I don’t feel the romantic vibes yet, I’m still dressing for the part. Okay, I’m not going through the motions like I did for brunch with Mr. Tolstoy—no one-hour makeup tutorials, curly irons, or fancy new dresses. But the midi dress I’m wearing is cute and sexy in a silly, carefree way with its floral print. I have makeup on, high heels, and my hair is loose on my shoulders. Blow
