Chasing Forever(36)

Regan took two steps back and looked down hoping to hide the blush creeping across her cheeks. She was playing with fire.

“No problem,” Lucas answered.

“Come in,” Richard said, waving his hand in their direction.

Regan followed Lucas into the office and sat in the open chair near the door. “Jack called this morning. We spent an hour reviewing his attorney fees. He’s requested that we find ways to be cost effective with billable hours and expenses.”

Regan didn’t comment. As a summer associate, it wasn’t her place to say anything. Two hours of Lucas or Richard’s time exceed the amount of her monthly rent.

“We can do that, but it will be tricky with the trip scheduled this Wednesday,” Lucas commented. “Two attorneys, two nights, two hotel rooms, numerous meals. We could comp Regan’s time as a gesture of goodwill.”

Richard leaned back in his chair and crossed one ankle over his thigh. “That was my initial thought too, but I remembered your request to stay at your family’s vacation home. I mentioned it to Jack and he liked the idea. We don’t have to comp Regan’s hours, and Jack doesn’t have to pay your hotel expenses. It’s a win-win situation.”

Regan had to force herself to remain seated. She couldn’t believe this was happening. She wanted to stay as far away as possible from his family’s vacation home and Lucas too. Being around him clouded her judgment and she already suffered enough fallout from her cloudy judgment where he was concerned.

Lucas cleared his throat. “As long as Regan is comfortable. I’m fine with that.”

She felt Richard’s eyes boring into her, waiting for her answer. “I’ve heard it’s nice. What do you say? Do you think you’d be comfortable staying there?”

Not even close. “As long as I have my own space,” she answered weakly, visualizing her morals and convictions bending with every word.

“Of course you will. There are plenty of bedrooms. I wouldn’t have suggested it otherwise,” Lucas added.

Richard slapped his hand on his leg. “Great. It’s all settled. Jack will be happy.” He smiled at Regan. “Thanks for being a team player, Regan. That’s what we’re looking for at Martin and Black. I didn’t know if you’d go for it, but I appreciate it. Jack has been a client of this firm for over fifteen years, and he’s a great source of referrals. I don’t want him to be unhappy.”

Too bad Jack’s happiness threatened her sanity and her carefully laid out plans for her future—a future that should happen far, far from Lucas Evanston.





Chapter Sixteen





Regan stepped off the small regional jet feeling slightly queasy. She never liked flying under the best circumstances, but flying in a small plane into a small mountain airport had her literally clutching the armrests of her seat. When she landed she was tempted to check if she left dents in the metal. If she had been alone, she would have had her face in a courtesy vomit bag, but with Lucas watching her, she smiled as though nothing was wrong.

“You feeling okay?” Lucas asked, grabbing her luggage out of her hand.

“I’ve got it,” she answered, reaching for the handle.

“No,” he said, moving the handle out of her reach. “Let me do it. I thought you were going to be sick during the landing. Those high winds really move a small plane. If this wasn’t a business trip, I would have driven from Denver, but we didn’t have time.”

She sighed. “I’m better now, but I’m not looking forward to the flight home.”

“If we finish early, we could drive to the Denver airport if it bothers you.”

“We’ll see,” she replied. “So what’s the plan for today?” She and Lucas didn’t have seats next to each other on either flight, so she slept the entire way, which was good because she didn’t get much sleep last night. She kept playing their conversation outside of Richard’s office over and over in her head. She analyzed every word and then she analyzed every movement and then it was three in the morning and their flight was at eight in the morning.

“We pick up the rental car and then I thought we’d stop by my house to drop off our things. We’re meeting Jack at the mine at three so we can take pictures. Sound good?” he asked, turning his head to look at her.

“It’s fine. Do we have any plans this evening?”

“We’re meeting Jack for dinner at seven-thirty.”

“All right. I hope the restaurant isn’t too dressy. I have a suit, but nothing else.”

Lucas stopped at the rental car desk and handed the attendant his driver’s license and the firm credit card. “It’s the mountains. Anything you have will be fine. Formal isn’t required.”