Return To Me. Jacquelin Thomas
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“Or you?” Austin challenged.
“Or me,” Jordin conceded. “I pray she’ll forgive me for keeping this from her. My only hope is that everything will work out for the best this way and she’ll understand why I kept silent.” She wiped her hands over her eyes. “Not to mention how the rest of the family is going to act when they learn the truth.”
Their conversation came to a pause when Jadin entered the room. Austin had chosen to keep his secret just between him and Jordin.
Austin smiled at her. “Congratulations on your win in court yesterday.”
“Thanks,” Jadin responded. “I’m so glad that case is over. I’m thinking about taking next week off just to relax.” She leaned back in her seat. “Lord knows I need it.”
“You should do it,” Jordin said. “I know how hard you’ve worked for the last six months preparing for trial.”
Austin agreed.
“Sooo,” Jadin began. “Did you make a little love connection the other night? I noticed you and Bree seemed to be in your own little world. You two talked the whole night.”
He chuckled. “We had a nice conversation.”
Amused, Jadin met his gaze. “I’d say it was a lot more than that, big brother.”
“I’m not denying it. I like her.”
“That much is obvious,” Jadin interjected. “So, when are you seeing her again?”
“I’m having dinner with her this evening.”
Jadin clapped her hands. “Well done.”
Austin turned in his chair to face her. “Your date...that’s the Michael I’ve heard so much about? I didn’t get a chance to talk to him much at Jordin’s.”
“That’s because you were so into Bree,” Jadin responded. “But yes, that’s him. I intended to come alone, but he called to let me know he was in town, so I invited him to join me.”
“How are things between you two?” Jordin inquired. She pushed away from the table, got up and strolled over to the coffee station.
“Good. He keeps telling me that he’s committed to making our relationship work.”
Etienne strolled into the room, followed by his brother Jacques.
Other members of the legal team arrived minutes later.
Austin picked up his pen as one of the secretaries passed out copies of the agenda. He hoped this meeting was not one that lasted more than a couple of hours. He wanted to leave the office no later than five o’clock. They had dinner reservations at High Cotton for six thirty, then would return to his place for coffee and dessert.
A smile formed on his lips as an image of Bree entered his mind. Austin made a mental note to ask Jordin about her favorite dessert—he figured it would be a nice way to end the evening.
Austin left the office fifteen minutes later than he’d planned.
He drove out of the Ashley Bakery parking lot, merging into the traffic. Austin pulled up to a stop light, bobbing his head to the song playing as he waited patiently for the light to change.
Austin felt the tiny hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
He glanced out the window, his eyes landing on a gorgeous woman in the car beside him. Austin gave a slight nod in greeting.
She flashed him a sexy grin and winked.
The light changed and Austin was on his way, harboring no regret for not getting her name and number. He didn’t care for women who were so flirtatious. He’d had enough of that with Jasmine.
Austin pulled into an underground parking garage ten minutes later.
He got out of the car, grabbed the cake and his briefcase. He walked with purpose through the lobby and into a waiting elevator.
Austin prepped his condo, making sure it was guest ready, then hopped into the shower.
He was dressed and ready by six just in case Bree arrived earlier than expected. She struck him as a woman who was always early to avoid being late. The thought prompted a self-conscious smile.
Austin was about to retrieve a bottle of water from the refrigerator when the doorbell rang. He’d called down to the doorman and told him to send Bree up when she arrived. He stole a quick peek to his watch.
Ten after six.
Smiling, he opened the door.
The vision standing before him left him momentarily speechless.
Bree wore her hair in a mass of loose curls that fell to her shoulders. The wrap dress reached to the floor, giving him a peek of her shapely legs as she walked. He couldn’t resist admiring her slender frame and soft curves. She made his temperature rise more than a little.
He wondered if she knew just how sexy she looked.
“I’m early, I know,” she said. “I don’t like being late anywhere.”
Austin bit back his smile. “It’s fine. I’m the same way.” They had more in common than he would’ve imagined. Add this to his attraction to her...his feelings for Bree were confused and confusing. He didn’t know how to describe them and was too afraid to analyze them.
* * *
Bree had opted to meet him at his place since he lived in the downtown area on Concord Street. She surveyed the contemporarily furnished condo Austin called home. She loved the acacia hardwood floors, the double balconies and the gorgeous view of the city. “You have a very nice place.”
“Thank you.” Austin’s eyes bounced around the room. “It needs a woman’s touch, though, and probably more furniture.”
“I think the way it is actually fits your personality. You don’t strike me as a man who likes a lot of stuff in your space. I would say that you’re a minimalist. You look put together always, but you’re not one to fuss over your looks. You’re probably more comfortable in what you have on right now than in a suit and tie or a tuxedo.”
Austin had dressed down for the evening. Long, muscled legs filled out faded jeans, and he wore a plain black T-shirt that accentuated the broadness of his torso.
“You’re right,” he said. “I’m impressed.”
Austin grabbed his keys and they headed down to his SUV.
Ten minutes later, they were seated at a table with a scenic view of the street.
Austin had suggested High Cotton Restaurant. She had eaten there a few times, and the food was always excellent. It was her absolute favorite eatery. Bree found the atmosphere at High Cotton relaxing and the food tantalizing. Their first date was off to a great start.
“Why did you choose this place for dinner?” she asked, her gaze fixed on his handsome face.
“It’s a favorite of mine,” he responded. “Have you been here before?”
She grinned. “Another thing we have in common. I love this restaurant.”
“I’m glad. I was a little reluctant to try someplace new since this is our first date. I knew what to expect here.”
He ordered wine.
All around them, couples sat at tables, leaning toward each other, smiling, laughing, talking. Waitresses moved through the room serving up orders of bar food and drinks. The clink of glassware and the ripples of conversation became a white noise that hummed in the background.
Bree stared into Austin’s chestnut-brown eyes and fought to hold on to the control and willpower she had developed over the past few years.
It wasn’t easy.
When