Enemy's Secret - Ashlee Price Page 0,44

can see it too, I can see it on their faces. We're on track to win.

I grin all the way to the car.

There. That'll show him.

If he thought I was going to take it easy just because of this messed-up situation, then he has another think coming.

"Hey there, stranger," a horribly familiar voice says.

"Hey." Don't look his way - don't look his way. "I have to go pick Madison up. Sorry."

I can still feel his hard look on the side of my head. "It's lunchtime."

"Yeah, well..." I trail off. I've got nothing and he knows it. Now, I dare glare his way. "How about no because I don't want to?"

"That would be fair." God, he's handsome. This time he's skipped the suit for a fitted blue polo that shows off his powerful shoulders, plus black jeans and a devil-may-care smirk that knows I'm wavering and, stupidly and totally randomly, want to kiss him. "Although it would be a lie."

I tear my gaze away. "Landon. Please."

"Have lunch with me."

Just like that. So easy. So assumed. Like - why not? Why not brush your teeth? Why not kiss me and lose every thought in your head?

I exhale. "You never give up. Do you?"

"Nope." He's smiling. Determined. Relaxed. Knows he's got this.

Back in the courtroom may be my playing field, but outside...

"Fine. But we're going to Bentley's down the street," I say, closing the car door and setting off at a quick stride. "Walking. I'm not getting in your car here."

"Stealth mode works for me." He pulls up the collar of his shirt with a wink. "I won't even take your hand until we cross the street."

"You gentleman you." God, this feels so easy. Sliding back into things - no, that's not what's happening. Is it? "Although this doesn't mean - "

"That we're still a thing?" Landon shrugs. "Sure. Have it your way. Call it what you want. As long as I get to see you."

"Just" - a fed-up sigh - "I still haven't decided if I am still seeing you."

"We're seeing each other now." His smile is cheerful enough for the both of us.

"OK, OK," he says, seeing my expression. "I know when to cool it when I'm ahead."

"You're not ahead," I state.

He's definitely ahead, I think.

Bentley's is nice and empty, except for a fresh pancake aroma that gets my stomach growling in anticipation. The red full-size jukebox is playing a Fleetwood Mac song.

The roomy red-seat booth at the back has our name on it. It's got a nice window opening on a sparse hedge that does a not-great job of obscuring the busy road beyond. Landon insists on sitting beside me instead of across from me.

"Weirdo," I mutter.

His grin says it all. "Don't pretend you don't like it."

His leg against mine, his face kiss-close, how could I not like it? How am I supposed to keep my head, though?

I swallow, grabbing the menu to take a look.

Maybe with a bit of food in me...

"So, in there," he says, looking at the menu too. "You killed it."

"Good," I say simply. "Just doing my job."

"Don't I know it. Still, it's a bit of a surprise - the girl who used to shy away from any sort of conflict."

I put the menu down and look at him. "I'm not the girl you dated all those years ago, Landon."

"Yeah, I know. I'm not that guy, either."

I can't stop the smile from touching my face. "We'll see about that."

Under the table, his foot taps mine.

Thank God - there's the waitress. I wave her down. "Sorry, we're kind of in a rush - could I order now?"

"Sure thing, hon," she says, producing a pad of paper from her apron. "What can I get ya?"

"The breakfast special, please. Brown toast. Scrambled eggs. And bacon."

She bobs her head. "Sounds good."

After Landon's ordered and the waitress has left, he eyes me. "In a rush, eh?"

"Do we have to spend all of today fighting?"

He frowns. "I thought you liked it. It is your job."

"I'm just tired of..." I trail off.

"Go on."

"My brain going gummy when I'm around you. There." I glare at him. "Happy now that I said it?"

He sure looks happy. "Thought I was the only one."

"Yeah, well. It's not great when I'm supposed to be suing you. And have a kid to worry about. Today I was so frazzled I almost packed her the salt and pepper shakers for lunch."

Landon cracks up, but soon sobers. "So. About that - what's she like? Madison."

"If you feel comfortable telling me about