Just One Kiss (Fool's Gold #10)(73)

“Statistically, I’m very capable of living in the same town and not seeing Gideon for at least five-point-four months.”

“That long,” he murmured, knowing better than to tease her about the point-four part. She was nothing if not precise.

“I have until October. Unless I made a mistake in the calculation.”

“And what are the odds of that?”

“Exactly.”

A white Mercedes pulled into the parking lot and a woman stepped out. She was dark-haired and wearing a tight red suit. Her heels were too high, her makeup too heavy and she eyed Justice with a predatory gleam.

“Trisha Wynn,” she said as she approached. “I’d heard you were yummy.”

Justice took in the fine lines around her eyes and mouth and guessed she was passing for someone in her forties, but could easily be close to sixty.

“Justice Garrett. This is my friend Felicia Swift.”

The lawyer gave Felicia a quick once-over, before shaking hands with both of them. Her fingers lingered over Justice’s.

“Business associates,” she said with satisfaction. “Nice.”

Justice had never felt like prey before and wasn’t sure he liked it now. He stepped back slightly.

“We’ve finished filling out the paperwork to begin the negotiation,” he said.

Felicia fished the folder out of her bag and handed it over. “Justice is buying the property with two partners. Neither of them is here, but I’ve enclosed the real-estate power of attorney for both of them.”

Trisha opened the folder and raised her eyebrows. “Ford Hendrix? I’d heard rumors, but I wasn’t sure they were true. He was a handsome boy, if I remember correctly. When is he coming back?”

“Soon,” Justice said.

“He’s concerned about reuniting with his family,” Felicia said. “The intensity of close familial bonds can be difficult as one transitions from military to civilian life.”

Trisha blinked at her, then turned her attention back to Justice. “Who’s the third man? Angel Whittaker. He sounds lovely.”

“I don’t think you could take him, ma’am.”

Trisha sniffed. “First of all, do not call me ma’am. Second, I could certainly take him if I wanted to. I’d have you begging in fifteen minutes, only my assistant is out today and I have to get back to my office. Still...” She swept her gaze over him. “It might be worth it.”

Justice held his ground without saying a word.

She held up the folder. “I’ll review your offer and get back to you later today.”

She smiled once, then returned to her car. Justice released a breath he hadn’t known he was holding.

“That was impressive,” Felicia said as Trisha drove away. “I want to be like her.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Not the overly aggressive attitude. While I’m sure she’s very sexual, it’s more of a defense mechanism. I meant the flirting. The car.”

“You want a Mercedes?”

“I want a car that says who I am.”

“They already make those. They’re called Smart cars.”

She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean. She has style.”

She had teeth, Justice thought, thinking he would make sure never to go alone to a meeting with Trisha. While he had no doubts about his ability to protect himself from the older woman, he didn’t want to get into a situation where it was an issue.

Felicia glanced down at her jeans and pale yellow blouse. “Do I need a makeover?”

He held up both hands. “Not going there.”

“You’re right. I need to talk to a woman. Maybe Patience. She’s very nice.”

Finally a topic he was comfortable with. “Yes, she is.”

“Do you think she’s in love with you?”

Justice’s relaxed mood disappeared instantly. “Why would you ask that?”

“It’s a reasonable question. You’ve been spending time together. You’re sexual partners. You stayed at her house. It’s obvious you care about her and she must feel the same way. After all, she’s trusting you with her child. For a single mother, that is more emotionally significant than inviting you into her bed.”

Patience in love with him? He hadn’t considered the possibility. She wasn’t, he told himself. They were friends and there was chemistry, but anything more...

What? Anything more was out of the question? Why would Patience think that? She didn’t know enough about him to realize how damaged he was, and she wasn’t the type to trust easily.

“I can see by the look on your face that you hadn’t considered that things might have gone further than you anticipated.”

“Did she say something?” he asked.

“No, but we’re not that close. I doubt she would confess her feelings to me. Besides, she knows you and I are friends and she would be concerned about my loyalties. Female friendship is based on emotional sharing rather than events.”

Justice glanced around, as if looking for escape. “I care about her,” he admitted. “A lot. She’s special. Sweet and funny. Lillie’s great and Ava’s tougher than any soldier I know.”

“But?”

He turned to Felicia. “You know me, probably better than anyone. Do you have to ask why it would be a mistake?”