Page 46 of Jep

Pearce winced.

“What?” Em said.

“I hate to ask…”

“What?”

“He avoided most of my calls. I think if you went to see him, you’d have a better chance. A phone call is too easy to dismiss, but if you're standing there in front of him…”

“A phone call was one thing, but a visit? You want me to go to his workshop? Alone?”

“Is that too much to ask? It’s too much to ask. Forget it.”

“It’s just…wouldn’t it be weird for me to turn up at his place? Wouldn’t it seem…I don’t know…desperate?”

“Aren’t we?”

“What if you came with me.”

“I could, but I think it would mean more if you turned up alone. You said you’d changed your mind about him. And he’s probably defensive right now. I knowIwould be. We don’t want anything to get in the way of his favorable response.”

The thought of turning up on his doorstep made her cringe, but she didn’t know why. He thought better of her than most of the people in the office.

“Are you embarrassed by the idea?” Pearce said.

“Why would I be embarrassed?”

“Using your feminine touch to sway him.”

“That’s not what I would do.”

“Then what’s holding you back?”

“Nothing. Okay. I’ll do it.”

“Fantastic. Thank you.” He pressed his palms together in gratitude.

“But I have a condition.”

“I think Jep rubbed off on you. Let’s hear it.”

“If I go talk to Jep, you have to talk to Lawson. I don’t want to go through the hard work of getting him back in the office only to lose him again because Lawson can’t rein his temper in.”

“Done. You can leave Lawson to me.”

“You have to make sure that Lawson will continue to agree with Jep’s original terms.”

“Absolutely, but while you’re with Jep, confirm that he intends to choose another partner.”

“I can still be his partner if he wants.”

“What? No way.”

“Why not?”

He pointed at her arm. “That, for one.”

“That was unforeseen.”

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