The Wedding Pact Box Set - Denise Grover Swank Page 0,210

see your client hasn’t arrived yet.” Her words were crisp and tight.

“I expect him shortly.”

She approached the table and rested her hands on the back of the chair across from his. “I am a very busy woman, Mr. Lowry. I can’t afford to waste time waiting for fools.”

He had no delusions regarding her true meaning. “Sometimes fools rush in, Ms. Hansen, but their intent blinds their judgment and incites rash behavior.”

The court reporter glanced between them, trying to figure out what she was missing.

“We still have two minutes before the deposition is supposed to start.” Garrett forced himself to sound nonchalant. “You’d waste more time going to your office and back than if you stay here and wait.”

He knew Blair hated to be seen as reactionary, and if she stomped off now, that’s exactly how it would appear. A rush of relief washed through him when she sat down in her chair.

The reporter cringed. “Would you mind if I take a restroom break? I had some spicy tuna rolls last night . . .” Her voice trailed off.

A flash of irritation flickered in Blair’s eyes, but then it softened. “No. Of course.”

The woman hurried out the door, leaving Blair and Garrett alone.

Her eyes narrowed into angry slits. “Did you encourage her to do that?”

“No, Blair,” he said sadly. “I didn’t. But I won’t lie and tell you that I’m not happy she left. We need to talk.”

Her shoulders tensed. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

“There’s everything to talk about, from our kiss in that kitchen to Neil’s reasons for marrying you to what you heard when you came out of the house last night.”

Her eyes turned a cold, clear blue. “I told you I won’t waste my time on fools, and I meant it.”

He put his hands on the table. “You think calling me a fool is an insult? I am a fool. I’ve never denied it. Not now and not five years ago when I camped out on your doorstep for half the night begging you to let me explain.”

She sucked in a breath, and though he hated that he was picking at her old wounds, he had to make her see that this wasn’t some stupid competition to him. This was his heart in his hands. “Go out on a date with me.”

Her head jutted back, and she looked at him like he was crazy. “I can’t go out on a date with you. I’m engaged.”

“Not anymore.” He pointed to her now bare hand.

She reached absently for her ring finger, rubbing at the empty spot.

“That ring was never right for you anyway. A traditional, heirloom piece? That seems more like your friend Megan’s style.”

A slight grin tipped the corners of her lips. “Good call. Josh gave her his grandmother’s ring. She loves it.”

“You’re more contemporary. Probably a square diamond solitaire, large but not too large.”

She smirked. “For a guy, you know more than you should about engagement rings.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “That’s a sexist statement.” But it was true. He hadn’t known jack crap about engagement rings up until last night. He’d spent one of his many sleepless hours searching for the ring that would best suit her if he ever got the opportunity to propose. “Am I right? Would that be more your style?”

She didn’t answer, which was an answer in itself.

“So go on a date with me. How about lunch?”

Her grin faded. “I’m having lunch with Neil.”

“I see.”

Anger flashed in her eyes. “Do you?”

He put his hand on the table and leaned forward. “No, Blair. I honestly don’t. You don’t love him. And I know you think he’s safe, but I’m not sure why.”

“That is none of your business.”

“Okay, fair enough, but answer me this.” He kept his tone soft and comforting to cushion the barbs he was about to sink. “When did you start running away? That’s not like you at all.”

She slammed her hands on the table. “What the hell are you talking about? When did I ever run away? You’re the one who left me!”

“You’re pretending that marrying a man you don’t love is the logical decision. If that’s not running away, I don’t know what is.”

“How in God’s name is that running away?”

“Because you’re running away from love.”

“What the hell do you know about love, Garrett Lowry? You took what we had and destroyed it.”

“I know.” His voice broke. How many times would she have to say it to purge it from her system? What if the number was infinite? “I’ll regret it