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“That’s not what I meant.”
“What then?”
“With Lara not coming in to work to uncover the real embezzler, we need to go at it a different way if we’re ever going to clear her.”
Stunned, I could only manage to nod. How had I lucked into a man like him?
He smiled. “You told me you promised to take care of Lara, and I intend to help you keep that promise.”
“Thank you.” I watched him chew and wondered how he’d come to have such a big heart. “You surprise me almost every time you open your mouth.”
“Only because you refuse to have dinner and get to know me.”
I pointed my fork at him. “That’s not entirely my fault.” Lara seemed to interrupt us every time.
“I have an idea,” he said. “Bill Covington’s sister and her husband started a forensic accounting firm in town. I’ll see if I can get them involved.”
“Good idea,” I said. What I really meant was:I can’t thank you enough for being so kind-hearted.Ernst or anybody else in his position would have moved on and let the legal system chew Lara up and spit her out twenty years from now, assuming she lasted that long in prison. I couldn’t contain the smile that overtook me.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. I’m just happy we’re having this conversation.”
Actually, I was happy to be here this morning with this particular man; the conversation was a bonus. I got tingly remembering how Josh had made me feel last night. I could write a ten-page poem about it, about him, about his compassion. The tingle between my legs reminded me I’d need to add passion to that list.
My phone chose that moment to ring.
Josh reached for it before I could. After glancing at the screen, he answered with a wink at me. “Miss Rossi’s line… Why, yes she is, Sandy.” He handed me the phone. “It’s for you.”
“Hi,” I answered.
“Are you okay? And Lara?” Sandy asked. “I saw the article on theTimeswebsite and was worried.”
“I’m fine. We’re both fine.” Looking over at the man in my kitchen, I was a lot better than fine, and for now I chose to believe Lara was safe. “What article?”
“The one about the murder on your street last night. The one that implies Lara did it.”
That made my blood boil. “She didn’t do anything except be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“I know that, girl. I was just worried is all. So…moving on, who’s answering your phone this early in the morning?”
I wasn’t touching that one. “I haven’t read the article yet. I’ll have to get back to you.”
“I knew it. Tell me it’s Barbados Josh. I knew he’d be good for you.”
“I’ll read it after we get off.”
Josh chewed slowly and appraised me with a questioning look.
“I get it. You can’t talk. Good for you, girl. Now don’t start overthinking and fuck it all up. He sounds like he has potential.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Let’s have lunch and you can give me all the juicy details. And I meanallthe details.”
“I’m not sure I can make that,” I told her.
“I’m not taking no for an answer, and does he have any brothers? Tell me he has brothers. We could go double on a weekend in Hawaii.”
