“Hey beautiful, your prince has come.”
Her lips quirked. “Well hello, prince. How are you?”
“Trying to keep five balls in the air as one of Quentin's loyal deputies.” Noah gave a dramatic groan. “Got to reschedule our meeting for Monday. Looks like I'm going to have to be out of town again. If you're available, how about a working dinner tomorrow night instead?”
She couldn't resist teasing, “That would be Friday night. I'd have thought you'd have plans.”
“I do, sweetness, I do,” Noah drawled in a parody of seductiveness. “And that's to take a beautiful green-eyed brunette to the best French restaurant in Boston.”
Since she'd always had an easy relationship with Noah, she wondered if one of his motives wasn't to cheer her up. Their meeting wasn't urgent and could wait until he returned to town. Aloud she said, “Who told you I love French food?”
“I have my sources. I'll pick you up at nine.”
“Wonderful.”
The next night Noah had her smiling the minute she opened her door, as he staggered back a step, clutching his chest. “Be still my heart. My dreams have been answered.”
“Oh, you clown.” She was wearing a short-sleeved blue cocktail dress, one she'd had at the back of her closet. Still, it was nice to be appreciated.
The maitre d' at Beauchamp greeted Noah like an old friend. Obviously, the upscale restaurant was a favorite. They were seated at a candlelit table near windows affording a view of the Charles River.
“I'm on strict orders to discuss costs and contracts tonight, but,” Noah said, winking, “let's leave the boring stuff for after dinner.”
“That's the way of it, is it?” Liz returned playfully. “Wine-and-dine me, and soften me up.”
“You wound me.”
“Au contraire. I just don't want you to waste your time.”
Noah grinned. “Dinner with a lovely woman is never a waste of time.”
She laughed despite herself until she looked into Quentin's eyes across the restaurant and froze. Allison had entered at his side.
Noah turned to follow her gaze and rose as his brother and sister approached, Allison leading the way, followed by the maitre d' and a forbidding-looking Quentin.
“What a pleasant surprise!” Allison exclaimed. Turning to Quentin, she prompted, “Isn't it?”
“Quite,” he said dryly.
“Do you mind if we join you?”
“Not at all,” Liz murmured. Quentin looked impressive and forbidding in a dark gray suit. She experienced the little flutter in her stomach and quivery tension that she'd always felt whenever he was near.
“Actually, I do mind,” Noah spoke up and Liz threw him a startled look. “You're going to cramp my style. So beat it, kid.”
Allison laughed and swatted her brother.
Liz felt her face heat. She stole a look at Quentin, who looked even more grim if that were possible. She cringed at the thought of how this must appear, and what he was thinking.
They were moved to a table for four by the deft and efficient maitre d'. Quentin sat himself across from Elizabeth, who seemed to be reading the menu with the fascination one would accord to the climactic scene of a potboiler bestseller. Uncomfortable, was she?
His eyes traveled to her lips, which were looking only slightly pouty this evening, he decided. The dress she was wearing revealed a creamy expanse which sloped gently down before leveling off at two perfect globes that strained against the confining fabric of her bodice.
His hands itched to release them from their confinement and weigh them in his palms, stroking his thumbs over ni**les that would harden and darken at his touch….
Realizing the direction his mind was heading, he mentally braked.
Was he crazy?
He had no business speculating about her br**sts—even if his overactive imagination insisted on supplying details to his fevered mind.
The woman had to be stopped.
He had to hand it to her though, she was a fast worker. Last week she was propositioning him, this week she was already moving on to fairer game. Maybe she preferred Noah—they'd always had a flirtatious banter. Maybe that's really why she'd found it so easy to say no to Matt. She already knew who her target was, and the sperm bank idea was a smokescreen.
Or maybe he'd convinced her with his arguments about finding a husband. The problem was he hadn't meant his brother.
He looked at Noah. His brother was susceptible to beautiful women. He'd be a sucker for one in need. He might not mind obliging….
“Don't you think so, Quentin?”
“What?”
Allison's eyes met his, amusement in their depths, as if she had been reading his mind. “I was saying we should order some of the vintage Chardonnay. That's a weakness you share with Liz.” She turned to Liz. “Any suggestions?”
“I'm sure Quentin will make an excellent choice.” Liz glanced at Quentin then and he gave the barest dip of his head in acknowledgment of what she'd said.
She wondered if Noah and Allison were as aware of the tension in the air as she was. As she passed the butter, her fingers accidentally brushed Quentin's, and she snatched her hand back, as if singed, nearly up setting the small plate in the process. Quentin merely raised a brow questioningly.
During dinner, Noah asked her a few softball questions about the details of the day care. Once or twice her eyes connected with Quentin's, but he declined to add anything.
“How is Patrick liking the fly-fishing down in Florida?” Allison asked, changing the subject.
Liz smiled at the thought of her father. “He's loving it. I think Florida is doing wonders for his health in retirement.”
Noah grinned. “Not to mention the merry widows.”
Allison laughed and Quentin managed to quirk a lip.
Liz feigned annoyance. Her father had been alone way too long. If he did meet someone down in Florida, she'd be more than happy for him. “Not Dad. He'd rather kiss a fish.”
“I bet he had a great time fishing over Memorial Day weekend,” Allison said.
Liz smiled. “You're probably right. He had a big trip planned, but I haven't spoken to him in a week.”
She felt three pairs of interested eyes and could have bitten off her tongue. She'd all but admitted she hadn't had the courage to tell her father about her medical diagnosis.
The rest of dinner passed in a haze for her. They discussed the latest headline cases that Allison's office was working on. And Noah and Quentin got into a discussion of the best way to promote their newest software.