Chasing Forever (The Forever Series #1)(13)
“That’s the gist of it except that there are millions of dollars on the line because the partnership purchased some mines years ago that have now been reopened as a result of new mining techniques. Former worthless land is now worth millions. Jennings agreed to give Peterson the mines before he realized their worth.”
Regan shrugged. “It sounds as if he made a mistake and wants to unwind the deal.”
Lucas tilted his head to the side studying the way she managed to look both innocent and sensual biting on her lower lip. “Maybe, but there’s evidence that North Relief Mining Corporation approached Peterson before the dissolution of the partnership with an offer to purchase the mines for twenty million dollars. Peterson initiated the dissolution of the partnership a few days later without disclosing the inquiry to Jennings. North Relief has since contracted to purchase the mines. Jennings received one million dollars in assets as part of the partnership dissolution.”
“Wow, that’s really underhanded,” Regan said, her eyebrows arched in disbelief.
“So today, we’re taking a 30(b)(6) deposition of Michael Anderson, a representative of North Relief Mining Corporation. Do you know what that is?” Lucas parked his car in a meter in front of a tall gray building.
“Yes, it’s a deposition of an agent of a corporation. Everything the agent says can be held against the corporation.” Regan reached for the car door handle and smiled at him. “I may be a lowly second, soon to be third-year law student, but I did learn a few things my first two years.”
“Wait.” Lucas placed his hand on her arm and squeezed it lightly. He liked talking to Regan. He always had and suddenly he hated the idea of spending the summer sparring with her. He never wanted to hurt her. What happened six years ago was never about her. It wasn’t even about him. They both suffered, her more than him. The difference was that he willingly let Olivia turn him into a pawn. Regan, on the other hand, never had a clue. “Before we go in there, I wanted to talk a little bit about what happened between us.”
She eyed his hand on her arm, then shrugged it away. “It’s kind of old news. Let’s move on and get through this summer.”
Lucas ran his hand through his hair. “Well, it may be old news, but I’ve never apologized. So here it is. I’m really sorry for what happened between us. I know what it looked like, but I never actually planned to hurt you. Olivia wanted—”
“Nope.” Regan held up her hand, shaking her head. “I don’t want to revisit this. I don’t care anymore. I stopped thinking about what you did to me, how you used me and made a fool of me years ago. Let’s pretend it didn’t happen and hopefully we won’t run into each other after this summer.”
“I still care about what happened,” Lucas said as he pushed a piece of her hair behind her ear.
She stared at him for an instant, her eyes wide and unsure and then she laughed. “I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but I’m not interested. There is no way to take back what happened between us so don’t waste one minute trying.” She stepped out of the car and slammed the door.
Lucas exhaled loudly as he shut the car door. He wouldn’t fight with her all summer. The hatred in her eyes drove him crazy. He had to repair the damage his childish behavior had caused. When they reached the elevator inside the lobby of the building, he turned to look at Regan. “If I knew how to fix what happened six years ago, I would do it in a heartbeat.”
Regan stepped into the elevator. “It’s impossible so don’t bother.”
He joined her on the elevator, pushed the button for the eighth floor, and smiled. “I’m still going to try. I’ve heard from a reliable source that I can be pretty charming when I put my mind to it.”
Regan tapped her fingers against her lips and he watched, strangely fascinated by every movement. In fact, he couldn’t look away. He loved her lips. They were the most sinful things he’d ever seen in his life. He could lie to himself and say he hadn’t conjured up those lips in some of his late night fantasies over the last few years, but what was the point. Self-delusion didn’t change the facts.
“Hmm…interesting theory.” She dropped her fingers, resting her hand on her hip as she smiled wickedly. “But I’m pretty damn confident I’m immune to your charm.”
He leaned toward her, unable to stop the grin from spreading across his face. “I think you forgot one small detail.”
She raised her eyebrows defiantly. “And what detail is that?”
“I love a challenge.”
Chapter Seven
Later that afternoon, Regan sat at the table of an Italian Restaurant in the Marina District of San Francisco across from Jack Jennings and next to Lucas. She hated that the hostess seated them in a booth. Lucas was way too close, had been way too close for several hours.
The way his legs brushed against hers every few minutes, reminding her he was there, made her jumpy and completely on edge. She couldn’t tell if he did it on purpose. His face gave nothing away. He just sat there making small talk and flashing a bland business-like smile when appropriate. She exhaled loudly and painted a smile on her face to match his. Lucas Evanston would not distract her from her goals. He’d done it before, and she’d paid the price. She couldn’t afford to let her guard down even if an infinitely small part of her still enjoyed being next to him. She needed to squash that part immediately.