A Little Wild (24 page)

“I haven’t decided. Shall we schedule another employee review for next week?”

“Make it tomorrow night, boss, and you’re on.”

“What’s happening with Studly?” Chloe asked. “Are you bouncing the mattress with him yet?”

Tess set her tiny espresso cup on the coffeehouse table. “Chloe, shhh, someone might hear us.”

“It’s five o’clock, Tee. This place is noisier than Mt. St. Helens when she blows. All the suits craving their pre-dinner caffeine fix, you know.” Chloe sipped her latte. “Besides, I stayed after my shift so we could catch up.”

Tess drank her espresso. The strong, thick coffee shot her a pick-me-up jolt. “Sorry I asked you to stay late, Chlo, but I haven’t seen you in ages and I crave the caffeine. The firm’s coffee sucks compared to Lovin’s, and I’ll be working until after midnight.” A duplication of yesterday. She needed to plow through more Crockett’s paperwork.

A grin split Chloe’s animated features. “Working, huh? On Zach Halliday?”

“No.” For once. Tess had “worked on” Zach four out of the last five nights. Their time together had been wonderful, but even the most devoted “employee” needed a break now and then. She could barely keep her eyes open, she was so tired. “On the deal for his father and brother. Phil Renfrew is looking too smug these days. I can’t help feeling like he’s using the acquisition to try and get one up on me.”

“Kind of like how
you’re
trying to use it to get one up on him?”

“I can’t have him scoring points with Mr. Greenburg while I’m lagging behind.”

“Ah, but is ol’ Phil getting some twice a night? I doubt it. You, on the other hand, are, my friend.”

Tess stared down the evil psychic. “I’m not having sex twice a night.” Only some nights.

“But you
are
getting some, aren’t you? Tess, you look fantastic. I like it when you wear your hair down like this rather than up all the time. Your complexion’s soft and glowing. Please don’t tell me worrying about your job has this effect on you.”

Tess smiled. “I look good?”

“You look amazing. It’s sickening. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re in love.”

“It’s a good thing you know better, then.”

Chloe’s head cocked. “Do I?”

Agh, Chloe could worm the truth out of a habitual liar. If Tess didn’t toss her a bone about the physical nature of her relationship with Zach, Chloe would continue drawing the
wrong
conclusions.

Because Tess was not in love with Zach Halliday. Lust and the occasional warm, mushy feeling wasn’t love.

“You know, some day I’ll challenge you
not
to jump into bed too quickly with a guy you have the hots for. We’ll see how you like being subjected to all this scrutiny.”

Chloe laughed. “As if you haven’t issued your share of bets. Besides, only one dare at a time. You can’t change the rules on me now.”

“This from the rule-changer of all time?” Tess shook her head. “We’re doing it like rabbits. Happy?”

“Ecstatic! How is he?”

“That’s where I draw the line, Chlo.”

“Really? If he’s no more to you than a sex toy, Tee, why not spill? We’ve always shared everything, especially about guys.”

Tess narrowed her gaze. Foiled again.

“Huh, Tess, huh, Tess, huh?” Chloe had her Spanish Inquisition torture routine down pat. “Is Zach Halliday a studmuffin of the prime variety or not?”

Tess drank her espresso. What was it about Zach that she hesitated revealing personal details to Chloe? In the past, they’d dished about sexual quirks, annoying boyfriend habits…shoe and hand size. Yet, with Zach, Tess wanted to hoard everything inside her. Almost as if she were afraid that if she talked about what she and Zach shared, she might lose it.

But how could she lose something she didn’t truly have? Her relationship with Zach was about sex, nothing else.

Well, sex and also friendship.

She had to tell Chloe something, though, or the fiend would start thinking Tess felt more for Zach than was healthy.

She divulged with more enthusiasm than necessary, “Oh, Chloe, he’s definitely prime studmuffin. I’ve never met anyone near as talented in the bedroom.” Not that they’d actually done it on a bed yet, discounting the phone sex.

“Stupendous! So you have, what, somewhere between four and five weeks to go? You don’t fall in love with him during that time, and you’re home free. If you can do it. I’m still not convinced you can.” Chloe picked up her latte. “When are you seeing him again?”

“We’re having dinner at his place tomorrow then Saturday we’re touring the PNE. Monday’s the last day, and I haven’t been this summer.” The Pacific National Exhibition ran from mid-August until Labor Day, the first Monday in September.

“Sounds fun. I love the fair. Gonna ride the Hellevator? I dare you.”

“I’m a wild woman now. I just might.”

Chloe’s gaze cut away. For a moment, pleasurable surprise etched her features. Then she plunked her latte on the table, and a dollop of foam slid down the big cup.

“You don’t think I can handle the Hellevator?” Tess asked.

“It’s not the ride. He’s here.”

Her heart thumped. “Zach?”

“No,” Chloe whispered. “The Suit. He hasn’t come in since before that day in Stanley Park. Jesus, I think I’m gonna cream my jeans.”

Tess laughed. “I thought you renamed him The Shorts.”

“I reconsidered. He suits The Suit. I’ve only seen him in shorts once.”

Devilish enjoyment whipped through Tess. What suit-wearing man could ruffle Chloe Nichols to such an extent? She was allergic to Type A’s of the masculine persuasion.

“Shit, he’s coming over,” Chloe whispered.

“Maybe he wants you to fix him a latte. Or maybe he wants your
llllovin’
.” Tess lingered her tongue over the L. However, her play on the coffeehouse name didn’t register with Chloe.

“Now he’s going to the counter. Phew, that was close.”

“Too bad.” The rear view of a familiar figure entered Tess’s range of vision. She snickered. “You’re kidding.” She pointed to the man. “
He’s
The Suit?”

Chloe glanced and nodded. “Hot, huh?”

“Yeah, if you like them taller and with light brown eyes.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Chloe, that’s Ethan, Zach’s older brother.”

Chloe’s eyes popped. “He’s a Halliday?”

“If he’s anything like Zach, he’s a regular vacation.”

Covering her eyes, Chloe groaned. “Great. Not only have I been fantasizing about a suit, but a rich one at that.”

Sympathy stabbed Tess. “Aw, Chlo, just because your rich father was a scumbag doesn’t mean all wealthy men are.”

“Sure it does. Haven’t you read Freud?”

“Enough to know that you need to get over this aversion.”

“Next millennium.”

“You can’t hide from him, Chlo. If he sees me, he’ll probably say hello. At any rate, I can’t ignore him. His father is the firm’s biggest client.”

Chloe peeked from between spread fingers. “You don’t have to ignore him. I have a sudden compulsion to go to the can. Talk to him while I’m gone.”

Tess laughed. “Chloe, brainwave,” she half-whispered. “Why not go after Ethan? Get your own sex life, stop hassling me about mine, and work through your father fixation at the same time.”

Chloe groaned. “You’re cruel.”

“But brilliant.”

“Tess,
no
.”

“Hmm, I don’t know, Chloe.”

“I do. Please help me escape, Tee. I’ll forever be indebted to you.”

“Okay, why not?” Tess checked Ethan’s position in the serving counter lineup. Still three people back. “On one condition.”

“Anything,” Chloe muttered. “Other than the father thing, you sicko. And hurry.”

Tess tapped her finger forcefully on the table. “
You
don’t interfere or ask any more questions about my relationship with Zach. When September is over, I’ll report in. Until then, my sex life is my own.”

Chloe’s head stayed low. Only one hand masked her face now. “When have I interfered?”

“When you gave him my real phone number? When you wouldn’t hang up when you called and he was at my place? Either of those episodes ring a bell?”

“Tess, you should be grateful. At least you’re getting some.”

“You could be, too, if you weren’t so stubborn. No more interference. That’s my condition.”

“Crud, you’re a tough negotiator. You don’t have to worry about that Phil creep getting the junior partnership. Your boss would be nuts to pass you over.” She pushed back her chair. Her gaze narrowed. “Wait. What if you do fall in love with Studly, but won’t tell me?”

“I’d tell you.” If her sex-for-sex’s-sake plan failed, she’d be so mortified she’d need her best friend’s support and consolation.

Her plan wouldn’t fail, though. It was impossible.

Overachievers never failed.

Chapter Fifteen

Ethan accepted his macchiato from the woman at the serving counter. “Thanks.” His excuse for dropping into Whole Latte Lovin’ in hand, he turned toward the table where the object of his obsession had been talking to Teresa Sheridan.

He blinked. Teresa now sat alone. Had her friend absconded on him again?

Undeterred, he strolled to the table. Teresa wiggled her fingers hello.

“Good afternoon, Teresa. How are you?”

“Wonderful. Yourself?”

“Couldn’t be better,” Ethan fibbed. Experiencing an explosive chemistry with a woman like Teresa or Allison Maynard would suit him far more than his disturbing hang-up on the brunette. However, since his life was hell-bent on going to pot, he figured he’d take a hint from his brother and enjoy the stirring.

Teresa gestured for him to sit. “I’m having a break before returning to the office.”

“The Crockett’s due diligence?” Ethan asked as he sat, and she nodded. “Well, don’t work too late. I understand you’re doing a good job.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Lawrence talks to my father all the time. Your boss praises your efforts. So does Virginia Winslow.” Ethan wouldn’t reveal that he’d also spoken to Zach. It was a moot point. Lawrence’s and Virginia’s comments had eased his misgivings.

Relief traced her elegant features. “Thank you for telling me that, Ethan. At my level, I need the validation.”

Ethan smiled. He liked her. “No problem.” He sipped his macchiato. “Where’s your friend?” The brunette’s latte cup remained on the table.

“Chloe?”

He paused. “That’s her name?”

“Yes. Chloe Nichols. She’s the manager here and my best friend since we were kids.”

Chloe.
Her name was out of the ordinary—like the woman. Chloe Nichols…Chloe Halliday.

The coffee scorched his tongue, and he jerked.
Don’t go there.
He just wanted some stress-relieving fun, not a life partner.

“Um, yes, her,” he mumbled.

An amused expression curved Teresa’s lips.

“What’s so funny?”

She spread her hands. “You seem nervous.”

He was! Asking perky Rachel Hobbs to his first high-school dance had felt less awkward.

“Um, yeah. Teresa, can I ask you something personal about Chloe?” He scratched his jaw. “This sounds juvenile, but doesn’t she like me?”

“She likes you, all right.”

“I’ve been coming here for weeks. She served me a couple of times, and everything seemed fine. Since then, whenever I try talking to her, she disappears.”

Teresa chuckled. “Chloe is a remarkable person. A great friend. She’s just a little different. And, how do I put this? She’s shy around men who wear suits.”

He glanced down at his custom-tailored jacket. “Why?”

“It’s ridiculous, but it’s her story to tell.”

“How will I hear it if she runs every time I see her?”

“She can’t run now. She’s in the ladies’ room.”

“I can’t go in there.”

“Chloe’s the only woman to enter it since you arrived. I’ve been keeping track.” Teresa smiled. “Ask Frank for the Wet Floor sign and hang it on the doorknob. Customers aren’t allowed in the washrooms while they’re being cleaned.”

“Who’s Frank?”

“The server with the goatee. Tell him you’re The Suit and you desperately need to speak to Chloe, but she’s hiding in the can. If you specify ‘The Suit’, Frank will help you.”

Ethan tightened his grip on his macchiato cup. Chloe discussed him with her employees and referred to him as The Suit—a starched shirt, silk tie, some wingtips, and a briefcase?

He had more going on than his attire, damn it.

He scraped back his chair. “Thanks.”

Chloe paced the ladies’ room, biting a thumbnail. Last time she’d peered out the door, The Suit—no,
Ethan
Freaking Halliday—was sitting and talking to Tess. Would he never leave?

The door swooshed open. Thankful the L-shaped room concealed her pacing, Chloe whipped to the sinks and pumped liquid soap into her palms. No different than if she’d just exited a stall.

Footsteps rounded the corner. Chloe shoved her hands beneath the motion-detecting faucet. Water sprayed her capri pants.

Choose a damn stall already
, she telepathed to Uncertain Chick.

The footsteps echoed again, moving behind her. Chilly goose bumps dotted her arms, and she lifted her gaze to the washroom mirror.

Uncertain Chick didn’t exist. However, one-hundred-eighty-or-so pounds of gorgeous male clearly did. Tall, leanly muscled, with Johnny Depp coloring and fuck-me eyes.

Ethan Halliday.
Father of her unborn children. Gazing at her reflection in the washroom mirror.

“The men’s room is across the hall,” she said.

He pushed his hands into his trouser pockets. “I know.”

Pulse scampering, she reached for a paper towel. The automatic faucet shut off.

“Can I help you?” she asked his reflection.

“Answer a question.”

“What?” He stood less than a meter away, masculinity filtering off him in waves. Her disloyal ovaries curtsied.

“Why did you run from me in Stanley Park ten days ago? And why do you disappear whenever I enter this place?”

He believed in getting to the point. Normally, she did, too. But right now embarrassment at her childish behavior seared her.