Page 122 of Just Trouble

I’ve said no and he’s not listening.

That makes me mad.

It makes me wish I had a Medusa stare for real.

He’s with my dad, who doesn’t look impressed, though Mrs. Prescott can’t fully hide her admiration of this prime male specimen in her vicinity.

“Daphne!” Justin says as if it’s a surprise I’ve shown up at work. “I was just waiting for you.”

I check my watch. “I have an appointment in ten minutes, so I hope your errand is a quick one. You must remember how I prefer to be punctual.”

He looks chastened, but just for a heartbeat.

“I did suggest to you that it would be best to call Daphne before driving down here,” my dad says smoothly and Justin’s lips tighten.

So, my dad didn’t tell him where I lived, and didn’t surrender my number. Justin just assumed I’d welcome him back andcame down here. He must have looked for my car, the way that Luke did.

Somehow that seems less admirable in his case.

My dad excuses himself, then gives me a wink of encouragement that Justin can’t see before vanishing into his office. I gesture to my office and Justin precedes me. I notice his survey of the space, figure he’s calculated the square footage within five per cent. “You have a window,” he notes and I remember how coveted offices with windows were in the city.

“Best of the best,” I say, sliding into my chair and putting the barrier of the desk between us. “What can I do for you today?”

Justin comes around the desk, perching on it right beside me so his thigh almost touches mine. There’s a predatory gleam in his eyes, a satisfaction with himself that just makes me a little colder. He’s sure he’s going to win me over. I can smell the confidence radiating from him, and I’m looking forward to seeing his expression when he realizes he’s lost completely and irrevocably.

“May I be blunt?” he asks with a charming smile.

“By all means.”

“So, we’re even, Daphne. You’ve had your fling and I’ve had mine.”

Interesting that he places my relationship with Luke first, and that he labels it as a temporary affair. I know better than to let that pass.

“No, you had a fling and we split up. Whatever relationships I may or may not have pursued since that time are of no relevance to you.”

“Don’t be prickly, Daphne.” He reaches for my hand but I move it away. “You know that we should be together. We’re perfect for each other.”

“Except for those times when you want to be with somebody else.”

“You’re playing word games.”

“That is what we’re trained to do.”

“You can’t be serious about this guy, whoever he is. I understand that he’s a boy-toy and some man candy. Not my type but I get it.” If this is a joke, I don’t even crack a smile. “I understand that you have needs and it’s fair that you’ve indulged them. But you’re not getting any younger, and if we’re going to have a family, we need to get started.”

I pretend to be dizzy. “Wait. We’re not just getting back together. We’re getting married and having a family? How many kids, Justin? When are they due? What are their names? Have you booked them into the best pre-schools yet?”

“You can joke all you want, Daphne, but I’m serious. We had a good thing going and we need to get back to that. I can get you a position at the firm again. I spoke to the senior partners before I came down here.”

“You arranged a job for me? Without talking to me first?”

“Of course. You were always very prudent financially. I knew it might be a stumbling block to be without a job.” His gaze sweeps over me and admiration lights his eyes. “You look great today, by the way, as attractive as ever.”

I get up and step past him, standing at the door like a sentinel. He swivels on the desk to watch me, clearly not understanding that I’m going to chuck him out. “You have to leave.”

“Oh, right. Your appointment. Why don’t you cancel, Daphne? I mean, you don’t need clients down here anymore. We can head back to the city early, catch dinner in town.”

“I’m not cancelling my appointment and I’m not going with you, Justin. You have to leave because I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”

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