Page 80 of A Lesson for Laurel

“Because whenever I try to do it it feels forced. You look effortless. That’s a talent I don’t have.”

“You have other talents,” Liam said, putting his arm around his wife.

“Gee, thanks. So you’re agreeing I dress boring? Like a stuffy lawyer?”

Easton laughed. Nicole did dress that way at work when they went into the office. She always had brown, black, or blue suits on. Not a lot of colorful shirts or shoes either. Not like Laurel had.

He never noticed it until Rachelle pointed it out one day.

“You’remystuffy lawyer,” Liam said. “And if it’s what you are comfortable wearing, what’s the big deal?”

“I can be comfortableandmore stylish too,” Nicole argued. “Doesn’t mean I have to change my suits, but maybe get a few prettier shirts or accessories. Start out small.”

“I’d love to offer suggestions,” Laurel said. “I’m partial to my employer’s accessories now, but I’ve got a lot of other things too.”

“Good,” Nicole said. “Back to our story.”

“Our love story,” Liam said.

Easton used to gag when Liam said shit like that, but now he didn’t think that way for some reason.

“My man is a romantic,” Nicole said, laying her head on her husband’s shoulder for a brief second.

“I find it sweet,” she said. “I’ve never been with someone romantic before.”

Easton frowned. “Do you want that?”

“Not really,” she said. “Not if it’s forced. I like little things like the next woman does. You know, grabbing and slapping my ass goes a long way with me. But if we were out in public, it might not be the best.”

She was laughing when she said that and it made him feel a bit better. It wasn’t him to be romantic and what she suggested was far from romance in many women’s eyes. He supposed he could try the softer romance like Liam did, but she’d probably know if he was forcing it too.

“Nicole and I were working on a project,” he said. “She’d just had a few crappy dates...with another attorney.”

Laurel started to laugh. “Was he cocky?”

“Extremely,” Nicole said. “Kept trying to tell me what I had to do to get ahead and all other things I didn’t need advice on.”

“Hope you weren’t too invested in him.”

“Three dates. I knew after the first it wasn’t going to work, but wanted to give him a shot. I didn’t want to be judgmental at first.”

“I’ve learned to go with my gut,” she said.

“Which is why you came back apologizing,” he said. “You knew what you couldn’t miss out on.”

“See,” she said, pointing her finger. “That’s more fun to me than flowers or candlelight any day. I like the sexy banter.”

No way she had it with her ex, but he wasn’t going to say that in front of anyone.

“I agree,” Nicole said. “Liam and I banter back and forth too. I never felt anything romantic for Easton.”

“Thanks,” he said, snorting.

“You aren’t my type any more than I’m yours and you know it. But we got along well. I like him as a person. I like what he stands for and how loyal he is.”

“Now I’m sounding like a dog,” he said, frowning.

“I like dogs,” Laurel said. “You’re good.”

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