To Sir, with Love - Lauren Layne Page 0,24

shaken. Nothing about this meeting matched my daydreams. He’s supposed to be a cold robot in a suit. I’m supposed to be the humane one who cares about people and my city.

Instead, I feel small. Selfish.

He checks his watch, his impatience plain. “What exactly is it that you came to tell me, Ms. Cooper? Or did you make the appointment merely to disparage my character?”

I try to gather my righteous anger, and while my voice isn’t as strident as it was when I first sat down, at least it doesn’t wobble or crack as I lift my chin.

“I know your business owns the building we rent from, which makes you, essentially, my landlord. But I also know that as long as we continue to pay the rent, you can’t kick us out until the lease is up, which isn’t for another five years.”

Now it’s me who leans forward. “I may have disparaged your character, but you belittled mine when you insulted my shop and me. You want to know why I made this appointment today? It was to thank you. Because you were right. I wasn’t thinking big enough, and I intend to remedy that immediately.”

His aqua eyes narrow. “Is that so?”

“It is,” I say confidently as I stand. This time I know it’s definitely not my imagination that his eyes track the hem of my dress where it falls just a smidge short of business appropriate, but when his gaze snaps up to mine, it’s more irritated than ever.

“I do hope you’ll consider Bubbles & More for all of your champagne needs,” I say calmly as I pick up my purse and turn toward the door. “Though, if I might be so bold as to recommend you skip the art section—I don’t believe you’d appreciate it.”

My feet are screaming in the uncomfortable shoes, but I try harder than ever to hide it as I saunter toward the door.

“Ms. Cooper.” His voice is right behind me. “Wait.”

I don’t slow my step.

“Please.”

Swallowing, I pause and force myself to turn back toward him. I regret it immediately, because he’s followed me, and he’s close. Close enough for me to smell that expensive cologne, close enough to see the precision of his tie knot, to feel the heat of his body…

That last one might be wishful thinking.

“What?” I demand, forcing myself to meet those remarkable aqua eyes.

He’s staring down at me, looking frustrated, then squeezes his eyes shut and gives a quick shake of his head. “Nothing. Never mind.”

I swallow again. “Okay then.”

“Wait,” he says again, touching my arm when I reach for the door handle.

This time when I turn back, he looks faintly embarrassed and lifts a fist to his mouth, clearing his throat slightly. “You have. Um…”

“What?” I say, more impatient this time.

His eyes drop to the vicinity of my chest, and before I can register what is happening, he’s reaching out, the backs of his fingers brushing against my collarbone, and his touch seems to sear my skin with the desire for more.

Slowly his hand pulls away, and the sharp longing in my belly is replaced by a knot of humiliation when I see the twenty Keva had stuffed into my bra earlier that must have wiggled its way into visibility.

His lips twitch with the hint of a reluctant smile. “What is it with you and twenty-dollar bills?”

“Give me that,” I snap, reaching out and grabbing the bill, much as I had the day of our first meeting.

I yank open the door, ignoring his soft chuckle as I storm out of his office.

There’s an older couple chatting with Noel in the reception area, and the woman breaks off midgripe about her hot yoga class when she sees my shoes. “Oh my goodness. To be young again and be able to pull those off.”

I’m beginning to hate these shoes. In addition to hurting like hell, they’re preventing what could be a very sassy Walk Away.

Still, the woman looks kind and genuinely admiring, so I give her a sunny smile. “Thank you! Though I’ll be honest, young or not, I’m about to go buy myself a pair of flip-flops because my feet are not enjoying their pointy-toed prison.”

The woman laughs and points to her own feet, which are adorned with stylish white loafers. “I used to pride myself on wearing four-inch heels all day, then boom. I rounded the corner on fifty-five, and suddenly flats and wedges became my best friend.”

Daaaang. If this woman is over fifty-five, I need to start investing