Page 18 of One Big Little Secret

“Maybe ifyoucould try a little empathy, this wouldn’t feel like the apocalypse,” she snaps back. “I told you. I didn’twantto bring him to a business meeting. I had no choice. It was bring Arlo or miss my first day at a new job.”

“And your son’s behavior is my fault now?”

Fury ignites her eyes.

“Mr. Rory, he’sfive.”

“And? Even five-year-olds must have some idea how to act when they’re raised right.”

The second it’s out, I feel like shit. Her wounded expression, those big hazel eyes, bore straight into me. Sadness and outrage live there.

“Whatareyou saying? Try again. I told you, he’s a good kid. He doesn’t act up like this. He just isn’t used to coming to work and he’s bored out of his wits.” She looks down at the tissues in her hands, which haven’t helped the spill at all. Then she sighs. “God, what’s the point? This obviously won’t work.”

She tosses the mess aside and grabs one of the folded towels on the rack. Perfect for someone after a swim in the pool or, apparently, after swimming in cocoa.

She works on wiping the stain, biting her lip as she focuses.

This weirdest déjà vu pulls at me again, but why?

Where do I know those stormy brown eyes?

When has a woman like her ever touched me?

A second later, while she sucks her bottom lip in frustration, it clicks.

Shit.

Shit.

A thousand times,shit.

Lady Bug?

The most memorable one-night stand in my life, crackling with lightning chemistry, and here she is again, my manager and intern.

Fuck, I didn’t know life could be so cruel.

The startled glance she shoots me still seems annoyed, but there’s something different flashing in her eyes now.

I wonder if she’s figured it out, too, even if I never gave her my name or phone number.

My skull feels like it’s caving in.

“Enough.” I reach out and take the towel from her. The stain is at the mercy of the dry cleaner now, no matter what we do. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll buy a new suit if I have to—and towel.”

“If we got it early enough, it should come right out,” she says. “If you just dab a little—”

“I don’t need your help with my laundry, thank you.” Harsh, but necessary. Otherwise, I might say something fantastically stupid. “Why don’t you dip out early, considering the circumstances? You’ve had enough introduction for one day, and there’s nothing here that can’t wait for tomorrow.”

For a second, her eyes narrow, like she wants to argue back. Then her expression goes slack.

“Okay. Maybe that would be best. I’m sorry again for the first impression. I really blew it.”

I wish her hyper-caffeinated kid was still the reason why.

Only, the kid who doused me in lukewarm chocolate has nothing on a freak coincidence dredged up straight from hell.

“Next time, you’ll make a better one,” I growl. Lame as hell, sure, but I have to start un-fucking the damage somewhere. “I have another meeting to attend, so I’ll see you soon.”

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