A Better Man(21)

HOLLYWOOD'S BEATERS, CHEATERS,

AND DIRTY DIVORCE SECRETS

Looked like the local newspaper was on top of important things in the news.

Today Lucy's hair was pulled up off her long graceful neck in one of those messy buns Jordan always thought gave a woman that sexy just-­out-­of-­bed look. Lucy unwittingly had that look about her. Anyone could tell she wasn't the type who spent hours primping in front of the mirror. But with a thick, dark sweep of lashes accenting her dark chocolate eyes, a smooth and lightly tanned complexion, and full lips with a natural blush, she had a whole lot of sexy going on. Even if she didn't realize it.

He slid into the booth opposite her.

"You're late." She looked up, pressed the bridge of her glasses up with one finger.

"Only by five minutes."

"Well, now we only have fifty-­five minutes to talk."

"I didn't know we'd be on a timer."

"I think I mentioned I have a prior commitment at five-­thirty." She lifted her cup, took a sip of what he guessed was tea, not coffee, then set it back down in the saucer. "So the clock is ticking."

Leaning in, he smiled. "If I buy you a cookie, will you forgive me?"

One pretty arched brown lifted. "Make it two and I'll consider it."

"Done." 

"On second thought . . ." The corners of her luscious lips quirked. "Make them white chocolate chunk with macadamia nuts and I'll even consider being late for my next appointment."

"In that case I'm buying all they have." He settled back in the seat and winked. "I'll be happy to give you anything you want."

Humor clicked in her brown eyes. "Are you flirting with me again?"

"I'm trying. But apparently I'm out of practice."

Her expression said it all. Men didn't flirt with her.

But he did.

And he would keep on flirting with her until she told him to stop.

"I . . . don't know how to respond to that," she admitted.

"Don't worry. You'll get used to it." He flagged down the server. After the young woman rattled off about fifty types of coffee flavors, he ordered a plain black coffee for himself, a refill on whatever Lucy was drinking, and the entire tray of white chocolate chunk with macadamia nuts cookies.

"You want those to go?" the waitress named Tammy asked with a laugh. "Or do you plan on eating them all here?"

"Two for now, the rest you can box up."

As soon as the server walked away Lucy said, "I was kidding about the cookies."

"But I wasn't kidding about giving you anything you wanted."

She sighed, but the smile on her face said she might be open to a little flirtatiousness.

"Can we please get down to business?" she asked.

"It's what I do best."

"And now we've moved on to innuendos?"

"Sorry, teacher." He flashed her a guilty-­as-­sin smile. "I'll try to behave myself."

"I'm sure it would be a first. So . . . you spoke with your sister?"

He nodded and leaned his forearms on the table. The muscles in his neck tensed. "I went to her with all the intentions of discussing the class assignments and finding out why she wasn't doing them. But I hit a wall. I understand she-­as we all-­have suffered the sudden loss of our parents. But what I saw in her wasn't grief."

Lucy's head slightly tilted and concern darkened her eyes. "What then?"

"Anger."

At that moment the server appeared with their drinks and the huge box of cookies. Jordan paused until she was out of earshot.

"It was as if she was a balloon ready to explode." He sipped his coffee and found it too hot to drink. Then he looked up at Lucy. "Why would Nicki be so angry? Does she have social problems at school that you know of? Any major issues other than not turning in her work?"

"I asked the school counselor that very question today. She told me Nicole hasn't been in her office all year." Lucy folded her hands together on the table. "I do know your sister has become much quieter over the past month or so. I used to have to reprimand her and a few of her girlfriends when I'd catch them chatting or texting during class. I haven't had to do that in a while. Maybe the problem has something to do with them."

"Is there any way we can find out?"

"I'll talk to the counselor again and see if she wants me to ask or if she wants to call the friends into her office."



       
         
       
        

"That would be great. At least it's a starting point. And I'll talk to my brothers again. Ryan's around her the most. He'd probably be a good one to ask although he hasn't been very helpful this far."