Page 30 of An Engagement for Erica

“Fine,” she said, shaking her arms out. “One thing I’ve realized in the past few years is holding things in isn’t good for anyone. I do find you attractive.”

“The same,” he said.

“I said you were cocky, but didn’t expect you to admit you thought you were attractive. Don’t you know not to say that to a woman?”

He started to laugh. “And you’ve got a personality that is peeking out again. I’m glad. But I find you attractive.”

“I know,” she said.

He rolled his eyes. “Guess I’m not the only cocky one in the room.”

11

GREAT ROLE MODEL

Why the heck had she just said that?

“You do know how difficult it is for me to have just said what I had, right?”

No reason she couldn’t be honest. He’d expect no differently.

“I do,” he said. “And I’m glad that you went left rather than right when I asked that question.”

She frowned. “I’m not sure I understand.”

“Lefty loosey, righty tighty.”

She snorted out a laugh and rolled her eyes. “Got it.”

“We’ve established that we like the way the other looks. Again, not really a shocker to us other than it’s out there.”

“Not much of a shocker,” she agreed.

“We have a few things in common,” he said.

She leaned back in her chair and got comfortable. He didn’t pay her for this conversation, but since he did control the funds, she’d let him lead the way.

“What’s that?”

“Workaholics,” he said.

“I’m not as much anymore,” she said. “Or when I’m working more hours than the average person, it’s in a nice office at myhouse with a beautiful view of the water, if I’m not sitting in the sunroom or on the deck.”

“You’re on the water?” he asked. “I just bought a house on the water too. I’ll be closing soon and can’t wait.”

“It’s my father’s house,” she said. “I don’t know why I tell you so much.”

“Keep going,” he said. “I’d like to know because I don’t picture you as the type to live with your dad.”

“God no,” she said. “I haven’t lived with my father since I was a kid. My parents divorced and he moved. He’s a neurosurgeon at Yale, my mother lives in Greenwich and that is where I was raised until I could move out on my own. Not fast enough.”

“So from money,” he said.

“You’re one to talk.”

“Look at that,” he said, grinning. “Another thing we’ve got in common.”

She smiled at his comment. “I don’t focus on those things. My mother drilled into our heads to be successful on our own. That’s what you need to catch a man. The funny thing is, my brother was in college at sixteen.”

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