Page 22 of Tempted

“Not that it matters now, as it was a long time ago.” She confesses. “But he and I had a thing after you. It ended ugly.”

I’m shocked, but somehow, I don’t really care. “Uglier than whenweparted ways?”

“He thinks that the only reason why I slept with him is because I was trying to get back at you, or because you and Rush are the two Harris brothers that bare the closest resemblance. Either way it’s sick and I didn’t really care to see him again.”

“So, I’m the lesser of two evils, then.” I surmise.

She licks her lips. “More or less, yes.”

Well, that sets my mind slightly at ease, at least for the part that the purpose of this meeting isn’t to get back together. That only leaves one question. “So, tell me, Clare. Are you interested in doing business with Harris Investments?”

“Well, I’m not here because I hold a torch for you, Malcolm. If that’s what you were thinking.” I can’t tell if she’s being snide, teasing, or if she’s just setting the record straight.

“Aye. Then I thank you. My Uncle Dougall will be pleased.”

“And you can rid yourself of this client that you don’t like?”

And just as she says this, the waitress comes to take our orders. “I’d say that this calls for a little celebration, don’t you think?” I ask Clare.

“What did you have in mind?” She asks me.

“How about your finest bottle of wine?” I say to the waitress.

Clare touches my hand. “Oh, no. I couldn’t. What about a decadent dessert instead?” She says nervously, like suddenly she’s a Mormon and forbidden to drink.

“Aye, whatever you like, lass.” I look at the waitress. “Bring us the dessert menu, and we’ll take whatever the most expensive meal is that you have.”

Clare peers at the trifold in front of her. “Oh, that sounds fabulous.”

“Right away, sir.” The waitress says and takes our menus. “I’ll be right back.”

The look on Clare’s face is unreadable. But I leave it alone. The truth is, I have no idea what the lass has been up to these past few years, nor do I really care. All that I care about is that she does, in fact, want to do business with Harris Investments, and this will make my uncle very proud. “So, what have you been up to?” She asks me, changing the subject.

“Work. That’s pretty much it.”

“No girlfriend?”

“No. I don’t really have the time.” I half lie. When I’m up for it, I make the time. Or my cousins or brothers make it for me. I’m surprised that Rush never mentioned that he’d slept with Clare. It’s also surprising that he had a thing for her. He never gave me an inkling. I never suspected it. “So, you and Rush, huh.” I comment, changing the subject yet again. The idea of discussing my brother and her past affair is less uncomfortable than talking about our failed relationship.

“It was a fling. Nothing more.”

I decide that I’d rather talk about this than us. “So, why did it end ugly?”

“I told you already. He accused me of only wanting to sleep with him to get back at or over you.”

“And what prompted the accusation? And the affair, for that matter?”

“I don’t know. I think that he was upset because I was leaving for my post in Scotland. Even though he could have easily seen me there whenever he wanted to. And as far as the affair, it was one of those things. It just happened. I ran into him somewhere. I don’t even remember where, and we got to talking, and next thing I knew he was in my bed.”

“So, it sounds like you asked him into your bed. Am I right?”

“No offence, Malcolm, but you Harris boys don’t need much convincing in that department.”

I’m partly offended by this. Seeing as I haven’t slept with Steph yet. But I don’t dare bring that up. “And you haven’t spoken to him since?”

“No. And I don’t care to, either.”

“But you wanted to talk to me.” I comment. “It seems to me that the best alternative would have been to speak to my Uncle Dougall. Or Caleb, or any of us, for that matter. Why did you come to me first?”

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