Page 125 of More Than Pen Pals

I pinch his leg under the table, but he doesn’t react.

Wendy smiles seductively at him and says, “Wanna know another secret? I call you ‘Sexy Shannon,’ and it drives your sister absolutely bonkers.”

Shannon bursts into laughter as I drop my head into my hands and groan.

sixty

Shannon isn’t the male version of Leslie, but there are some similarities. His hair is dark, while hers is blonde, but their eyes are the same shade of brown. Their mouths are carbon copies. And they’re both easy for me to talk to. I intended to be honest with Shannon about everything, even if he asked me highly personal questions, but I thought I’d have to force myself to open up to him, like I have to do with almost everyone. I was wrong.

He asked how I felt when I found out the truth about Leslie, and I told him how my feelings changed throughout that day. He wanted to know if I’ve had second thoughts about dating her with all we’ve been through in the past couple of weeks. I said I haven’t and never will.

I’m not surprised by anything Shannon says until he asks, “Why might Diego Sanchez want to hire you, and why would my sister want him to? I thought you worked for your family law firm.”

My eyebrows raise. “Leslie told you about the Sanchez thing?” I know they’re close, but I’m shocked she would break the NDA.

“No, she refused to. Wendy let it slip that Leslie was going to tell him to hire you, but she didn’t say for what. Are you not going to tell me, either?” He pops a fry into his mouth, appearing indifferent to my response, but his piercing look informs me he’s anything but.

I shake my head. “No.” I give no excuses, because he should understand why.

He nods and swallows the fry. “Good. That’s what I was hoping you would say, even though I’m dying to know.”

I chuckle. “So I passed the integrity test?”

“That one, at least.” He smiles back, and seeing Leslie’s smile on his face disorients me for a moment.

“But,” I finally say, “I’ll tell you I don’t intend to stay at the family firm much longer. Leslie knows this. My father isnota man of integrity, and I’ve lost the desire to be associated with the things he and his firm stand for—or against. Not that it ever truly was a desire of mine. And yes, there’s the possibility of working for Sanchez, but even if that doesn’t pan out, I plan to leave as soon as I can find another job, or sooner if necessary.”

“You would quit your job without having another lined up?”

I know what he’s getting at. “Yes. Some things are more important than making money. But I have savings, and I’m not lazy. I’ll find another job. And to put your mind at ease, I have no intention of mooching off your sister—ever.” I point my fork at him.

“Glad to hear it.”

“Anything else you want to know about me?”

“I can guess you don’t especially get along with your dad, which might not be a bad thing. What about your mom and siblings? Do you get along with them?”

“I do. People have been known to call my mom scary. She’s one of those people who expects you to do what she says, when she says it, and how she says it. That can make for some tense moments, and I’ll be the first to admit I often do what she wants even if I don’t want to, simply because it’s easier than fighting her. But mostly our relationship is peaceful, and she always has my back when I need her to.”

“She doesn’t sound much different from most moms I know.”

I nod. “My two sisters are in high school, and they’re typical teen girls. I spend a lot of time with them, and I’d even call them friends now, which is weird. They’re not little kids anymore.”

“I feel the same about Cynthia,” Shannon says. “It really is strange. What about your brother—Randall, right?”

“Yes. He’s a year older than me. We were close as kids and then drifted apart a bit as teenagers and even more when we went off to different colleges and law schools. But since he’s been back in town the past year, we’ve spent a lot of time together, and he’s my closest friend. I’d do anything for him, and he’d say the same. He loves Leslie, too.”

The moment the words leave my mouth I realize what I said, and while my heart races, I keep my face passive, hoping Shannon didn’t notice.

He did. “You love her?”

I do. “I didn’t mean to say that.”

“But you meant it?”

My pulse pounds in my temples. “She should be the first person to hear it, not you. No offense.”

“None taken. I get it. But you don’t think it’s too soon?”

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