Chapter Twelve

Later thatevening, Rook checked the fridge for the third time, but the beer she’d stowedhadn’t moved. Beer had been her first choice because of how she’d sold theevening as a casual work meeting, but maybe Zoey would prefer somethingdifferent like a nice Malbec, a Champagne, or whiskey. She picked up the phoneto call in a liquor order, but then set it back down again. She had wine andhard liquor on hand, and Zoey sure didn’t seem like the Champagne with burgerstype. What she needed to do was figure out why she was so damn jumpy abouthaving Zoey over in the first place. Her mind wandered back over every momentthey’d shared earlier in the day, reliving the spark she’d felt at every glanceand touch and she had her answer.

Her phone rang andshe grabbed it off the counter, hoping it wasn’t Zoey, calling to cancel.Eric’s number showed up on the display. She answered on the second ring. “Tellme you have some intel.”

“I’m emailing you afile with all the information I’ve gathered so far, but it isn’t much. Icouldn’t find a copy of a lease for Lorraine Darcy Inc. for any space in thatbuilding. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. It just wasn’t in the files where Iexpected to find it.”

“I hear you.” Rookwas used to listening to the undercurrent of Eric’s reports. He’d likely hackedinto the leasing company’s files and seen where they kept their leases, butdidn’t find one for Darcy Inc. “Maybe it’s under another name?”

“Nothing matches thatsuite number. If the office is rented out, it’s not in the books. Not theofficial ones anyway. What I sent you is all the information I could find aboutthe leasing agency, the building’s other tenants, and a copy of the buildingmanagement’s letterhead.”

“Go ahead and spoilit for me. Is the eviction letter legit?”

“You have some reasonto think it isn’t?”

She didn’t have a reason,not a good one anyway, but her gut told her something was off. The doorbellrang. “I have to go. Keep digging, and I’ll talk to you later.” Shedisconnected the call and looked at the clock on the wall, noting Zoey wasexactly on time—precisely what she’d expected. Happy she didn’t have to spendany longer contemplating her inadequate hospitality, Rook glanced around theroom one last time to make sure she didn’t have any client files lying around.

She didn’t spend alot of time in her townhouse, which was a shame because it was actually prettydreamy. Open and airy with lots of sunlight, it was the perfect place to enjoya Sunday morning brunch or tea on the terrace. Rook didn’t indulge in either ofthose things, but she liked knowing she could if she wanted. This place hadturned into a stopover between her office and those of her clients, a place tohouse her clothes and the trappings of wealth she’d accumulated over the years.Her dates were spent at luxurious DC restaurants and overnights were for hotelsor her companions’ homes where she could make a quick getaway when theinevitable text, email, or phone call came, summoning her back to her firstlove, the business she’d created.

She pulled the dooropen at the first knock and lost her composure for a moment at the sight ofZoey, framed in the doorway. Like the night they’d gone to Meridian, Zoey wasout of uniform, but this time she was dressed a little more formally, in slimblack slacks, loafers, and a crisp, cornflower blue shirt, rather than thecasual picnic wear she’d had on for the tour of the monuments.

“You said tonight,right?”

Zoey’s smile wascaptivating, and Rook couldn’t help but return it. “Yes.” She swung the dooropen wider. “Come in.”

Zoey walked in andher eyes swept the interior. She sucked in a breath, and Rook felt compelled tosay, “I know, it’s a little on the big side.”

“You could say that.I’m terrified to know how much something like this would cost.” Zoey instantlyput her hand on her mouth. “Sorry, that was rude. It’s just that I’ve beenlooking at real estate and this part of town was on my don’t even look at itlist.”

“No worries. I boughtit quite a while back so I got a steal.” Rook allowed herself the small lie.Even though she had purchased during a down market, the price had still beenexorbitant. Time to change the subject. “So you’re looking to buy?”

“Leasing for now, butmaybe someday.”

Rook motioned forZoey to follow her to the kitchen. “If you’d like some tips, I know the entirearea pretty well.”

“I appreciate theoffer, but General Sharp’s wife has been an invaluable resource. I found aplace in Vienna. I’m still in boxes, but it’s home.” Zoey waved an arm.“Besides…”

Her voice trailedoff, but Rook got the point. “You’re thinking we don’t have the same taste.”

“Don’t get me wrong.It’s clear you have impeccable taste, just different.”

“What can I say? Ilike nice things.” Rook cringed as the defensive tone crept into her voice. Shedid like nice things, even if she worked so hard she rarely had an opportunityto enjoy them. Her father had sworn she’d never make anything of her choices inlife, but her six-bedroom townhouse in Dupont Circle rivaled the Manhattanapartment where she’d grown up.

Zoey was looking ather, a questioning expression on her face, but when she mentally replayed thestory of her rivalry with her father, it didn’t bear telling. She rushed tochange the subject. “Speaking of nice things. I promised you burgers and beer.Does that still sound good?”

“Sure, I’ll take abeer.”

Rook reached into thefridge and grabbed the growler George had picked up from the new localmicrobrewery everyone was raving about. She started to tell Zoey about theplace and how hard it was to get the stuff before it ran out on any given day,but she had a feeling Zoey would file such a story in the category of thingsthat impressed most people, but didn’t impress her at all. Rook had planned onordering burgers from another hot, new place in town, but as she poured themeach some of the creamy stout, she made a last-minute change of plans. Shehanded Zoey a glass. “Let me know if this is okay.”

She watched as Zoeytipped the glass to her lips. She took a small sip at first and her eyesfluttered. A soft moan escaped and she pulled a deeper draught, sighing aftershe swallowed. “That’s delicious. Best brew I’ve ever had.”

Rook tore her gazeaway from the sensual tableau of Zoey’s desire. “Trust me to order dinner?”

“Absolutely.”

Rook pulled up herfavorite food delivery app and placed an order, and then invited Zoey to joinher in the living room. Zoey glanced between the couch and the two club chairsopposite and chose one of the chairs. Okay, Rook thought, she’s here forbusiness. That’s exactly what she should be here for. All for the best. Rooksettled onto the couch and fished for light, pre-dinner conversation. “So, whendid you find out you were being reassigned to the Pentagon?”

“The night of AddisonRiley’s birthday party. General Sharp asked me not to say anything until it wasofficial.”