All It Takes (Romancing Manhattan 2)

“Thank you for this.”

“I know you’ve been busier than normal,” he says and takes a sip of his water. “How is the case going, by the way?”

“Not bad, actually.” I take a bite of my sandwich, surprised at just how hungry I was. “But it’s slow going.”

“Do you need anything?”

“I don’t think so.” I wipe my mouth and my phone rings. “Do you mind if I take this?”

“Of course not.”

“This is Sienna.”

“Hi, Sienna, it’s London. I’m sure you’re at work, and I don’t mean to interrupt.”

“No worries, London. What’s up?”

“Well, the guys are working late today, and I thought you and I could meet up for a drink when you’re finished for the day? There’s a great place near Finn’s office that has the best martinis in town.”

“That actually sounds like a lot of fun. I’d love to. Can I text you when I’m leaving here?”

“That’s perfect. I’m excited to see you.”

“Same here, see you soon.”

I hang up and turn to Uncle Patrick, who’s watching me curiously. I’m sure he could hear most of my conversation. My office is so small we’re practically bumping elbows.

“I thought you were working on the park case in the evenings,” he says.

“I am, but Quinn has to work late with his brother, so I’m going to meet with London, Quinn’s brother’s fiancée, for drinks until Quinn’s free.”

“In the city, where the files aren’t.”

I sit back and wipe my mouth again, watching him steadily.

“Yes.”

“Sienna, I don’t know that it’s appropriate for you to be working so closely with the opposing counsel of a case. I would hate to see you get thrown off the case because you’re acting . . . inappropriately.”

I chew a bite of my pickle, surprised at both my uncle’s opinion, and my immediate need to defend myself.

“Well, although Quinn and I are working for different sides of the same case, we are working toward the same goal: to find the truth. Not to mention, the judge okayed us working together. This case is over a hundred years old, Uncle Patrick. There’s no way that I could do all this work alone.”

“I’m simply voicing my concerns.”

“And you have.” I toss my wrapper in the trashcan, irritated that he’s questioning my motives and my work ethic. He knows that my family and this case are important to me. “I wouldn’t do anything to mess this up. It’s important to me, our family, and the city. So believe me when I say that I’m motivated to win this case, and who I choose to spend my free time with won’t affect that.”

“Good.” His face is sober as he stands. “I know you have a heavy workload, and I won’t keep you longer. I’d appreciate it if you’d keep me posted on this.”

“You know I can’t do that.” I frown up at him, and finally stand. “I can’t tell you much.”

He winks. “We can talk privately.”

“Whether we’re in my office or in your house, the answer is the same.”

He nods, then turns and walks out of my office, and I’m left wondering what the hell just happened. Uncle Patrick knows that I can’t talk about the case, and he’s never questioned my judgment before.

Is it grief talking? Concern? I don’t know, but I don’t like it.

“Over here!”

London’s by the windows, waving in my direction. Her long, dark hair is down and curly, and her smile is wide and friendly.

Yes, I think London and I are going to be friends.

“Hey, sorry it took so long for me to get here. Traffic was a bitch.” I set my handbag in the chair next to me and sit down.

“You’re fine, and I took the liberty of ordering you a lemon drop.”

“Bless you.” I sigh and take a sip of my cocktail. London reaches up to tuck her hair behind her ear, and I immediately make grabby hands. “First things first. I need to see this ring.”

“He’s a crazy man,” she says with a laugh, holding her hand out for me to ogle the sparkly diamond on her finger.

“It looks better on you than it did in the box.”

“Did he show you?”

I nod and sip my drink. “He was nervous, and I told him that with a ring like that, he had nothing to worry about.”

“He could have given me a Cracker Jack ring and I still would have said yes,” she replies, looking dreamily at her hand. “But he did good.”

“How did he propose? He said you guys were going to Martha’s Vineyard, but that’s all I know.”

“Well, we fell in love there,” she begins. “We own houses next door to each other, and we both spent a lot of time there last year.”

“The ol’ next-door neighbor trick,” I say with a nod, making her laugh.

“Exactly. We hadn’t been back there in a long while because we’ve both been so busy with work, so when he suggested that we fly over for the weekend after opening night, I jumped at it. I miss the beach so much.”