“Thanks, it’s been rougher on my grandfather than on me.”
“Have they caught the guys who robbed the place?”
She shook her head. Was he pumping her for information? Was he trying to figure out what the police knew? Could he be involved with murder?
“Honestly? I don’t think they’re looking very hard. I keep calling, trying to get information out of the lead detective, but he keeps putting me off.” Which had been true.
Austin reached out and touched her cheek. “Is that a bruise?”
“I was just stupid,” she said, not wanting to get into how she got it. If Austin was involved, he might know about the break-in, and then he’d know she was in the apartment. She didn’t want to make up something, because then he’d know she was suspicious of him. If he pushed, she’d tell him the truth. Fortunately, he didn’t.
“You are not a stupid woman, Shauna,” he said and took her hand.
“Austin, please—we’ve been over this.”
Her heart pounded. She wasn’t a deceptive person. Black was black and white was white and playing games with Austin was twisting her insides so tight she couldn’t swallow another sip of Guinness.
“I know, don’t push you. I’m not. Did you know your old fiancé was back in town? The guy who went to prison for an insurance scam?”
Why was he asking her? Should she deny it? Except—didn’t Agent Hooper say that the hotel was, in part, a front to get into the good graces of Austin and his law partners?
“I found out yesterday. He came by the Murphy & Sons office.”
Austin seemed surprised, but it could have been an act. “I hadn’t thought you two split on the best of terms.”
“Well, yes and no. I mean, I couldn’t marry him, but we were friends for a long time. And he’s not—” She bit her lip. She almost let it slip what she knew. She would make a real shitty spy.
“He’s not what?” Austin pushed.
“A bad guy. You know, I know he did some wrong things, but it’s not like he killed anyone.” Oh, God, she was digging herself into a deeper hole. She sipped her Guinness to get herself to stop talking.
“I understand what you mean.”
“Anyway,” she said quickly, trying to cover up the awkwardness, “he wants to hire me. He didn’t give me many details yet. We’re going to talk next week. Just that he’s trying to buy a hotel and wants me to renovate it. It would be a great opportunity, if the structure is sound. But I don’t know if I can work for him.” She paused, sipped her beer. Agent Hooper had told her to be herself, and she was, but now she was getting too personal, too chatty, as if she and Austin were old friends. Except, they were friends. Sort of friends.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I shouldn’t be talking about my ex-boyfriend with you.”
He took her hand again. “I’m glad you feel comfortable with me. I would very much like you to join me tomorrow night at the charity ball. I could go with one of the partners in the firm, but it would be all business and I wouldn’t have any fun.”
She stared at her beer, her heart racing. This was it. She had been right. But she also felt something was different. It was how Austin was looking at her. Calculating? Did he already know the FBI was onto him? Did he know about Jason? Or was her own guilt and doubts and questions clouding her judgment?
“Shauna?” he asked.
“As friends, Austin. I’ll go if you promise we’re just going as friends.”
His entire face brightened. “Of course, Shauna. Friends. I appreciate it. And I promise, you’ll have a wonderful time.”
She smiled, but suspected it looked like a grimace. “I know I will.”
“It’s a formal ball,” Austin said as he stood. “I’m going to have a dress sent to your house tomorrow afternoon.”
“Please don’t,” she said.
He frowned, hurt and maybe a little too angry to make her comfortable, but she thought she was reading something into his expression. She was already on an emotional roller coaster this week.
“I want to, Shauna. I know you. You’ll look at your closet and find something beautiful, but you don’t have time to shop for a formal gown.”
“I don’t like shopping.” She bought most of her dresses from an on-line store.
“Exactly. So please? Let me? If it’ll make you feel better, you can pay for it, but I’d rather it be my treat.”
“Austin, I can’t afford your taste.”
He laughed. “I’ll have it delivered by three in the afternoon. I’ll pick you up at five-thirty. We’ll be having dinner with some of my clients, and then the ball starts at eight.” He kissed her, this time on the lips, and said, “I promise, Shauna, you will have the night of your life.”