A Better Man(12)

"We seem to have gotten way off track, Mr. Kincade." While he again appeared to relax, she took a brief moment to catch her breath and grasp the real reason they were both in the same room again after fifteen years. It was her good fortune he didn't recognize her. Because she wasn't entirely sure he couldn't see the effect he had on her. And that could spell disaster for poor Nicole. "If Nicole will redo the assignments I'll be happy to give her extra credit work."

"Is that all you can do to help my sister, Ms. Diamond?" He leaned back in the chair and casually folded his hands together.

Lucy hated when someone pushed her to her limit. Jordan had pushed beyond and blasted into Holy Shitville. Though the circumstances with the death of his parents never left her mind, she had to call it like she saw it.

"Let me ask you this, Mr. Kincade. What are you willing to do to help your sister?"

"What?"

Yeah. Gotcha, buster.

"You question my intentions and accuse me of making a play for your brother-­or you-­but let's be honest," she said in an amazingly cool tone. "Maybe you're not really the right person to deal with Nicole's problems."

His eyes narrowed just enough to let Lucy know she'd hit a nerve. Lucy folded her arms, steeling herself against the possibility of an explosion. "In fact, do you really even know her?"



       
         
       
        

"Of course I know her." His jaw clenched. "She's my sister."

"Is that so? Then who's her best friend?" Lucy asked.

"Her-­"

"What's her favorite color?"

"She's-­"

"What does she like on her pizza?"

"For-­"

"Who's her latest crush?"

His hands curled into fists. "Are you going to let me answer?"

"Be my guest." Lucy leaned back in her chair and waited. Due to the current circumstances she hated to point out the obvious, but her main concern had to remain with Nicole. If he genuinely wanted to help, Lucy was prepared to do what needed to be done. But if his only plan was to march in here, make demands and accusations, and then go back to his life status quo, that wouldn't fly. She wouldn't bail on a young girl in need. Teenagers dealing with depression often took drastic measures, and Lucy had to do whatever she could to save this girl.

Seconds ticked by without Jordan's response. She could see him mentally grasping at straws.

She'd made him sweat.

Made him think.

Now it was time to throw out the life preserver.

"I understand you probably have a very busy life," she said in her most understanding tone. "One that hasn't allowed much time for getting to know all of Nicole's likes and dislikes. But I really am very concerned for her. This problem didn't just begin. It's been brewing for a while. I promise I'll do whatever I can to help find out the cause and do my best to get her back on track. I will stand by her and I will let her know she can trust me and feel free to discuss any matter with me."

This time his smile came with a sigh of relief.

After all these years and all she'd been through, Lucy really thought she'd be immune to someone like him. She'd learned her lesson, right? But something inside told her Jordan Kincade might very well be swimming in the same deep waters as his sister. And that concerned Lucy even more.

"You're a very generous woman."

"Thank you."

He stood as if to leave.

"Thank you for coming," she said. "And since you probably need to get back to your job, have your brother contact me next week and I'll give him an update." 

"I'm in town for a few more days, so I'll have a talk with my sister." He settled his big hand right next to where her arm rested on the desktop. When he leaned that six-­foot-­plus body down so they were nearly face-­to-­face, a spiral of heat shot right through her core.

Get it together, Lucy.

A flicker of something flashed in his eyes.

"As for you and me, Lucinda?" One dark slash of brow lifted. "I don't think we're done at all. So you can stop acting like we've never met."

The acknowledgment hit her with a jolt, and a gasp snuck from her throat before she could stop it.

"But we'll leave that conversation for another day. Because, as you said, today is about my sister." His deep blue eyes scanned her face one more time before he walked out the door.

Fifteen years ago, Lucy believed she'd washed the man out of her thoughts. Out of her fantasies. Out of her life.

Clearly she'd been wrong.