Page 38 of By His Side

I rescued my phone, real life coming crashing back at the sight of the name on the screen. “It’s Katherine. You can’t say anything.”

Felix’s expression turned earnest. “I won’t.”

“Promise.”

“I promise. I would never do anything to jeopardize your job.” He frowned, presumably thinking the same thing that I was, that by being here, he was doing just that.

Maybe it was stupid, but I put the phone on speaker, wanting Felix to know I trusted him to keep his word. “Hey, Katherine. How’s Oliver?”

She blew out a breath. “Running me absolutely ragged. And I’ve never been happier.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear it. Is he in bed?”

“Yeah, he is. Sleeping like a…” She laughed. “Well, a baby, funnily enough. Greg’s away at a work conference, so I wanted some adult conversation.”

“But you rang me instead.”

“I rang you instead.”

Felix sat cross-legged on the sofaso he could face me, the position providing an interesting view up his shorts to reveal he’d gone commando. His chin rested on his hands and he seemed to find something about the conversation fascinating. Lord only knew why.

“I tried Emily first,” Katherine continued, “but she didn’t pick up. She’s still hoping for a second date, by the way, while we’re on the subject. She said you were sweet and handsome and charming, and she liked the fact that you were a complete gentleman at the end of the night and didn’t try anything. Actually, she said that, but I think she was secretly disappointed.”

I snuck a glance at Felix to find his eyebrow raised. He mouthed “Emily?” at me and I shook my head.

“So what do you say?” Katherine asked.

“To what?”

“To a second date with Emily?”

I chose my words carefully so as not to offend. “I don’t think we’re a good match.”

“No? Shame! I had this fantasy about the four of us… Shit! Five now… I keep forgetting… going on holiday together. Who else can I set you up with?”

“No one. I’m fine on my own.” I didn’t look at Felix this time, not wanting to see what expression I might find.

“Fine. Grow old with only cats for company. See if I care.”

I laughed. “I don’t have any cats.”

“You’d better hurry up and get some, then. Or you won’t even have cats for company.”

“You give such good advice.”

“I know. I should start charging. Speaking of advice, how’s your problem client? I saw the papers got wind of him being out ofprison. That was always going to happen eventually, given the notoriety of the case.”

It was a toss-up which of us had grown more still, me or Felix. I guess I hadn’t considered him becoming a topic of discussion when I’d put the phone on speaker, and now I was stuck with that decision. “He’s okay. He’s not a problem.”

“No?”

“No… Listen, I’m going to have to go. Someone’s at the door.” I didn’t enjoy lying to a friend, but I enjoyed discussing Felix while he was sitting next to me, even less. Either way, I’d have to lie because I could hardly tell Katherine that I’d moved him in and the two of us were at it like rabbits.

“Oh… okay. Just remember that advice I gave you.”

“Bye Katherine. Speak soon.” I hung up before she could really set the cat among the pigeons and tell me again not to fall for Felix.

I’d barely ended the call when the man himself was pressing me back against the sofa cushions. “If I’m a problem client, I better start living up to it.”

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