A Win-Win Proposition (Case Brothers 2)

Sipping the tea she’d picked up on the way in, Missy watched as the building next door turned to gold in the dawn light. Why was she at work at six-thirty in the morning? Because yesterday she’d left early to go to a doctor’s appointment and because she was worried about doing a good job in her new position.

A firm knock on her door warned her she had company. Only one man got to the office this early.

“Good morning, Missy.” Sebastian surveyed her with a toe-curling grin. “You’re in awfully early.”

For the past three days, he’d made an effort to pop by and say hello. In all the years she’d worked for him, she’d never seen him so chipper. It was unnerving.

“I had some things to catch up on.”

Shoulder propped against her doorframe, he eyed her cup. “You’re drinking tea?” Commenting on her daily caffeine jumpstart was a typical morning conversation opener for him. “That’s a change.”

“I haven’t been sleeping well so I’m cutting out caffeine.” Her eyes burned.

She hadn’t slept well since discovering she was pregnant. Too many worries crowded her. During the day she mastered anxiety by throwing herself into learning the ins and outs of her new job.

“What you need is some exercise before bedtime.” He’d also taken to flirting with her. “I could help you with that.”

“No.” Heavens. That was the last thing she needed. “It’s the new position. I have a lot to learn.”

“You were always a perfectionist.” He took a step into her office. “Max is very happy with what you’re doing. So relax.”

Some of her tension eased, but her dizziness remained. “Thanks, that’s good to know.”

“It’s my mother’s birthday on Friday. There’s a family get-together at their house. Will you come?”

It wasn’t an unusual request. She’d celebrated occasions with his family before. Nothing had changed except she no longer worked directly for him. Yet, her instincts told her to refuse.

“I’d like to, but it’s Memorial Day weekend and I’m heading home to check on my father.”

Not a complete fabrication. She’d told her family she’d try to make the annual Ward barbecue.

“She specifically asked me to invite you. She’ll be very disappointed if you aren’t there. My father has some big surprise planned. She’s worried it could end up being a disaster.”

Missy felt herself weakening. She really loved Susan. And Brandon had gone out of his way to make certain she took this job. “I guess it would be okay if I took off for Crusade early Saturday morning.”

“Excellent. I’ll pick you up around six. Dinner’s at seven.”

Dinner with his family might not be out of the ordinary, but having Sebastian pick her up was. “I can drive myself.”

“No need.” His tone told her she’d be wasting her breath by arguing. “See you Friday.”

“Friday,” she echoed, wondering what the hell she’d just gotten herself into.

About a dozen times in the two days that followed, Missy started an email to Sebastian or picked up the phone to tell him she’d changed her mind. Since she’d slept with him in Las Vegas, she was no longer his overworked executive assistant. Now she was an ex-lover. The dynamic between them had altered, trapping her between craving his affection and dreading disappointment.

As Friday night rolled around, nerves unsettled her stomach so she used chocolate ice cream to settle both. Maybe not the best choice for a queasy pregnant woman, but she’d taken the last of the crackers to nibble on at work.

When the doorbell rang, she set the unfinished ice cream on her nightstand and went to answer it. She smoothed her hands down her dress and told herself to calm down. It was just a routine dinner at the Cases’.

But instead of Sebastian, Tim stood outside her door, a large cardboard box in his hands. He seemed shorter than she remembered. His blond hair thinner. And that crooked front tooth she’d always thought gave him character made her long for Sebastian’s perfect smile.

“Wow.” His eyes widened. “You look incredible.”

“Thanks.” She’d put on one of the new outfits she’d bought in Las Vegas, hoping to see Sebastian’s eyes light up with that special glow that told her he appreciated what she was wearing if only so he could have the pleasure of taking it off. “What are you doing here?”

“I mean it.” Tim stared at her as if he’d never really seen her before. “You look hot.”

She glanced at the clock. It was five minutes to six. She had to make Tim leave and fast. “It’s just a dress.”