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As if aware he was the topic of conversation, Brutus stood up and wandered to the sofa to take a closer look at the puppy Harriet was fostering.
Harriet watched him. “Daniel acted for the man in that case, but they parted company in the end because they had a difference of opinion. I don’t know why. Daniel can be picky about the cases he takes. He specializes in difficult cases, particularly when they involve child custody.”
Molly thought about what he’d told her in the park about his mother. About how he’d become a divorce lawyer because of what happened.
Damn it, she wasn’t going to let him get to her. “He does it for the money, right? Because those are the cases that earn him the biggest paycheck and most publicity?”
“No. He thinks it’s really bad for children to grow up in a hostile family environment. He loves fighting for the underdog.” Harriet rescued the sleeping puppy before Brutus could nudge him off the sofa. “He’s no saint, Molly, but nor is he as bad as you think he is. So how are you going to handle him tonight?”
“I’m not handling him. I can’t stop him showing up at my door, but I don’t have to let him in.” And she wasn’t going to think about him defending the underdog, or helping women who couldn’t help themselves—
Damn.
“So you’re really not interested.”
Molly thought about the last few weeks. Of the walks, the talks, the laughs, the kiss.
And she thought about the fact that he’d pretended that he was a dog person.
“No,” she said firmly. “Not interested.”
Worried about Valentine and trying not to think about Daniel, she went to her meeting with her publisher and arrived back to her apartment with an hour to spare before Daniel was due to show up.
Valentine was still listless and off-color, so she settled him in his dog basket where she could see him.
She took a quick shower and pulled on a dress. Then changed her mind and changed into jeans.
That should give Daniel the message that they weren’t going out for dinner.
She carefully applied makeup, but only because it gave her more confidence. Not because she wanted him to see her looking her best.
Valentine watched her listlessly.
“Why are you looking so worried?” She stroked mascara onto her lashes. “You’re still my favorite man, and always will be. I’m only wearing makeup because it gives me confidence. When he’s gone, I’ll order in a pizza. And now we’re going to do that thing I probably shouldn’t do. I’m going to do an internet search on Daniel Knight.”
She poured herself a glass of wine, took it to her desk and typed his name into her laptop, wondering if she was going to regret doing this.
What was she going to discover?
Whatever it was, could it really be much worse than pretending to own a dog?
Twenty minutes later, she stood up and topped up her wineglass.
“Well, he’s got quite a rep. Brilliant mind, obviously. Tough. Deadly in court, but fair from all accounts. The sort of man you want on your side if you’re getting divorced. Which I’m not, of course, and never will be.” She glanced at Valentine. He tried to stand up but staggered and then his legs gave way and he collapsed back onto his bed. He was trembling and growling and Molly’s heart gave a sickening lurch.
“What’s the matter?” She crouched down next to him and stroked his head. Valentine gave a low moan and was sick everywhere. His eyes rolled back in his head and she felt an explosion of panic.
“Valentine! No, no—don’t do this to me.” Hands shaking, she grabbed her phone, but she’d been so busy thinking about Daniel she’d forgotten to charge it.
Panicking, she tried to think. She’d have to borrow a phone from someone else. Mark and Gabe. Gabe was virtually attached to his phone. It was bound to be charged. She stumbled across her apartment, dragged open the door and walked slap into Daniel. She would have fallen if he hadn’t caught her shoulders to steady her.
“Whoa, where’s the fire?”
“I need a phone—I have to see if Mark and Gabe have a phone.”
“I have a phone.” His tone had switched from teasing to serious. “What’s the problem?”
“Valentine. He’s—” She choked on the words. “He’s really sick. I need to call the vet, but my phone isn’t charged and—”
