Learning Curves - By Elyse Mady Page 0,50

content to live in the here and now. Yet this stranger’s unflinching questions drew forth all her secret worries.

“I hardly see how that is your business.” She evaded her adversary’s forceful gaze.

June rose from her chair, coming to a stop in front of her. Her pale eyes narrowed, the heavy eyeliner making them appear dark and menacing. Leanne put a few paces between them while she could.

“It’s my business when the man in question has had more hurt in his life than anyone should have to bear. I don’t know what game you’re playing but I’d hate to see him get hurt by someone who’s more concerned with appearances than substance. So ask yourself just what you want from this ‘relationship’ before Brandon falls for you any further,” she barked. “And while you’re at it, ask yourself what you plan on giving him too.”

Leanne gasped, her mind whirling at the woman’s charges. Brandon, falling for her? She had to be mistaken.

Before she could formulate a response to the club owner’s unexpected attack, Brandon emerged from the bathroom. The questions burning through her brain remained unspoken.

In a sweater and faded jeans, he was gorgeous. In a dark suit, his hair carefully styled and his tan set off by a striking maroon shirt and tie, he was truly the most stunning man Leanne had ever laid eyes on. The tailored jacket hung from his broad shoulders beautifully, emphasizing his lean, graceful body.

He grinned at the two waiting women and gestured at the suit. “Now you know what I look like at conferences and weddings.”

“You look good,” Leanne said with careful understatement, acutely conscious of the club owner’s attention as she walked over to Brandon and took his hand. His eyebrows raised at the gesture but he didn’t say anything, looking between the two women as if trying to unravel the cause of the tension between them.

“Everything set for tonight, June?” he asked. “I’ve been working on the tax remittances for this month. Something’s still not right with the numbers, though, so you might want to have a look.”

She nodded. “I’ll do that.” The silence that fell was thick and awkward “Well, if you don’t need me for anything else, Leanne and I should head out now.”

June drew on her cigarette and shook her head, blowing out the smoke in a long, thin stream. “You do that. And try to have fun at this country club,” she offered. “Sounds like a pretty swanky place.” It wasn’t a compliment.

The older woman shot her another sour look but didn’t say anything further. Leanne was ridiculously grateful when she reached the bottom of the steep flight of stairs and could no longer feel June’s eyes boring into her back.

Chapter Eleven

They rode to the country club in near silence. Brandon tried to get her to talk a few times but other than offering perfunctory yes or no answers, Leanne hadn’t been in the mood to chat.

Her mind still reeled from her confrontation with June. She could hardly wrap her head around the woman’s accusations. She made it sound as if Leanne was some sort of unmitigated snob. She was well aware of her shortcomings, thank you very much, but never in her entire life had anyone dared accuse her of being wrapped up in appearances. That was Gillian’s bag, not hers. And she had never, in the remotest possible way, had anything in common with Gillian.

After all, what could be more public than Brandon accompanying her to this dinner? And she’d even invited him to meet her friends. Hardly the actions of a woman ashamed.

She had reasons—valid reasons!—for keeping her relationship with Brandon quiet, but they had nothing to do with embarrassment or his profession. It was just easier for both of them. Wanting to avoid disturbing their carefully balanced lives wasn’t cowardice.

Right?

Errr…

As she made the turn into the country club’s oak-flanked drive, she felt a shiver of apprehension. Leanne handed her keys to the valet and stepped into the cold night air. She cleared her throat and Brandon turned.

“About tonight…” she began, wondering how she could ever hope to explain the minefield into which Brandon was about to step. Her uneasy relationship with her mother? The bride-to-be?

She lowered her head to her hands and stifled a groan. What the heck had she been thinking, inviting Brandon here? As her date. She must be a glutton for punishment.

“Leanne,” he said, his low voice deep and reassuring. “I understood when you asked me.”

“You did?” He understood how difficult