Come Undone (The Cityscape 1)

“I did my research,” he said with a mischievous gleam in his eye.

“No, it’s not. And before you ask, I haven’t gotten around to it and you can address me however you prefer.” I smoothed a hand over my hair. “Makes no difference to me, I’ll be changing it soon.”

“I see,” he said, smiling into his menu.

“What’s good here, anyway?” I asked.

“Do you eat meat?”

“Obviously.”

“I know just the thing,” he said, taking my menu and setting it on the edge of the table. I started to object, but something about the excited look in his eyes stopped me.

After he’d ordered, I took a long sip of water that coated my insides. I hoped it would squelch the heat that he had ignited after his outburst earlier.

“So David,” I started. “Tell me about yourself. What do you do in your spare time?” I asked.

“I try to keep busy with work,” he said simply.

“I can see that. But you must blow off steam somehow?” I instantly blushed at the accidental insinuation.

“I sail and I enjoy a swim now and then,” he said, letting me off the hook.

“Oh?” I said distractedly as his shirtless image popped into my head. I remembered how in college, the swimmers had always had the best bodies. Figures, I thought.

He leaned in on his elbows. “How about you,” he paused and looked at me mockingly, “Liv?” His tone was sensual and his eyes concentrated. I blanched and reached for my ear, but his hand bolted out and caught my wrist. I froze. He released it slowly and eased back into his chair, looking to me expectantly.

“Well, there’s work,” I said. Duh. “I spend most of my free time with . . .” My voice trailed off when Bill’s face came to mind. “Gretchen and Lucy. Normal girl stuff.” I shrugged. “I read, and I volunteer at the local shelter. You know, when I need a dose of reality.” When he didn’t respond, I continued timidly, trying to read his strange expression. “Do you like dogs?”

“Yep.” He nodded. “My family dog is sick, and it’s been really tough,” he divulged.

My heart pulled with the instinct to console him, but I thought better of it. “Do you ever think about getting your own?”

“No,” he said, looking out the window. “I don’t have the time. Hopefully one day though.” Turning back to me, he added, “Canyon. His name is Canyon.”

I smiled and raised my water glass. “To a speedy recovery,” I said and clinked his glass. I was rewarded with a smile.

The waiter set down two juicy, stacked burgers with leafy side salads. I hurriedly devoured my salad and looked up to find him grinning at me.

“Hungry?” he asked, echoing his earlier inquiry.

“Well, yes . . .” I stopped, embarrassed.

“What?” he prodded.

“Actually, I hate salad, but my dad always made me e

at it.”

“You know your dad isn’t here, right?”

“Mhm, but I feel like I have to eat it anyway, before I can touch anything else. It sounds stupid when I say it out loud,” I shrugged.

“Interesting,” he mused, nodding. “Delayed gratification.”

“Hmm?” I asked, chewing a forkful.

“Nothing, just soaking up everything I can about the elusive Olivia Germaine.”

I felt my face heat and, in an attempt to slow down, unceremoniously stabbed a couple leaves. “Well, don’t. We’re here to discuss you. How long have you known Arnaud?” I asked.

“Since I started with Pierson/Greer. Eight years maybe.” I went to pull out my notepad, and he touched my wrist. I drew back, startled by the unexpected contact.

“Let’s just talk, we can do that later.”

“All right,” I said, willing my heartbeat to slow. “So Arnaud, he’s also an architect?”

“He’s the other senior architect. A brilliant one, actually.”

“Oh.” So he’s not going anywhere, I thought. “Is he married? Single?”

“Why?” David eyed me suspiciously. “Are you considering him for the article also?”

I almost choked in response. “God, no.” I said, shaking my head. “I was just trying to soak up . . . your world, or whatever.”

He laughed. “He’s single. Eternally.”

“Must be a hazard of the job,” I muttered.

“It is,” he responded with a straight face. “We work a lot. Developing a relationship can be tough.”

I nodded understandingly. “Are you looking for something serious? Is that why you agreed to do the issue?”

“Yes and no. I’ve been ready to settle down for some time, work makes it hard though. Women say they can handle my schedule but they always want more. It’s not really the reason I decided to play along, though.”

I took a big bite and chewed slowly, trying to decide if I was irritated by his choice of words. “Bill works a lot too, and the firm is always sending him out of town. He’s a lawyer,” I added. “But I guess you knew that. Probably because he doesn’t have kids, he’s one of the first people they turn to.”

His lack of response caused me to look up from my food. He looked thoughtful as he examined his plate.

“So, if I were interviewing you, the next thing I might ask is where you went to college.”

“Yale for undergrad, and then Architectural Association in London.”

I felt suddenly inadequate.

“You?” he asked.

“Oh, Notre Dame.”

He smiled. “My father went there. It’s a great school, isn’t it?”

“Mine too.”

“Well what are the chances? Wonder if they know each other?” Dimples formed at the edges of his mouth as he grinned.

“What does he do, your father?” I asked.