Though she’d believed in his guilt—especially after he cut a deal with the DA—she’d stood by him—at least as a friend. Their wedding, however, was cancelled, and there was no going back.
He stepped into her office. “You’re even more gorgeous than I remember,” he said.
“You don’t look bad, either.” Jason Butler was one of the most beautiful men she’d ever met. Cover model gorgeous. He’d been voted Most Eligible Bachelor when they got out of college and he started working as an investment banker. He never let the recognition go to his head. In fact, he seemed amused by the whole thing.
Shauna also believed people should be forgiven. She’d sat in the back of the courtroom where he’d plead guilty to insurance fraud and was contrite and humble. She thought he’d sounded sincere, and she’d told him as much before he went to prison. He’d asked her to wait for him, but she said she couldn’t, because even though she thought he should be forgiven for his mistakes, he’d lied to her, and that was something she couldn’t forget.
“I thought you were in San Francisco,” she said.
“For the past six months, trying to re-establish a career. Hard to do with a criminal record, but it’s coming along.”
“I don’t doubt you’ll be back on top soon.” And he had a lot of family money to back it up. “I’m on my way to Dooley’s,” she said.
He cringed. “Your grandfather still doesn’t like me.”
“He’s old school, Jason.”
“But you do.”
“Nothing’s changed, if that’s what you mean.”
“I heard you were dating Austin Davis.”
Shauna looked at him quizzically. “Dating? Hardly. What’s with the questions?”
“Just catching up, sweetheart.”
“I went out on a couple dates with Austin, but there was nothing there. I guess he’s not my type.”
“I could have told you that.”
“You weren’t around.” Something was going on with Jason, but Shauna couldn’t figure it out. “So are you moving back to Sacramento or what?”
“For a while. I have an apartment in the city, but for the last week I’ve been at my parents’ place while they’re in Europe.”
“How are they?”
“Same.” He laughed. “It’s really good to see you, Shauna.”
She smiled. “It’s good to see you, too, Jason. Now, did you come by for a specific reason or just to chat?”
“I want to hire you.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“I thought things were okay between us.”
Sam would have a complete fit if she got involved with Jason, even platonically. Sam had, after all, arrested him. Shauna hadn’t spoken to Sam for nearly a year after that, except… that day before he left for L.A., two years ago. She remembered everything she’d ever felt for him over the years, and all the anger and frustration disappeared. Jason had broken the law, pled guilty, and went to prison. She had to forgive not only Jason for his crime, but Sam for arresting him. Sam had only been doing his job, even if he seemed to take too much pleasure in arresting Jason in front of her.
All had been forgiven, on her end, and she told Sam as much.
Then he rejected her.
She’d never forget the look on his face last night when she kissed him on the cheek. She didn’t know what his game was, but there was no way she was going to kiss him again. No way she was going to instigate it. She thought that maybe he had wanted to kiss her last night, but she could see his apology.
“I’m so sorry, Shauna. I didn’t mean to do that. I don’t know what happened.”
She didn’t want an apology. When she and Sam kissed, they would both know what it meant, and there would be nothing brotherly about it. She had to know that he wanted her in the same way she wanted him.
Jason was going to be a problem. Sam wouldn’t understand, and she couldn’t blame him. But it wasn’t like she was dating Sam—argh! She was confusing herself.
“You’re staring, Shauna. I see the wheels in your mind turning as you weigh whether to get involved with a convicted felon.”
“Jason, I don’t hate you. You know that. I’m glad you got time off for good behavior or whatever. I really didn’t like thinking about you in prison, and I know that you learned.” She raised an eyebrow. “You did learn that you did some stupid-ass things, right?”
He laughed. “Yes, I’ve learned my lesson, sweetheart.” His voice softened. “I know there’s no going back, Shauna. I’m sorry I lost you because I was greedy.”