Oh, heck, no. “I’m not meeting with you to discuss anything. Ever.”
“There are three of us on the panel. It’s not as though we’re going to be meeting privately.”
“You can email your thoughts to me and the other presenter, if this is something you want to discuss.” If his email appeared in her inbox, she’d mark it as spam. Rose pivoted on her heels and strode back into her family room.
“We should meet, Rose.” Benjamin’s voice was adamant. “It’s better to discuss these things in person.”
Rose hesitated beside her black leather sofa. “Why are you so nervous about this panel? We’re discussing legislative updates and their impact on the judicial system. It’s not that complicated.”
“I want to be prepared.” Benjamin’s response seemed tense.
“You’re a lawyer. Do your research, and you’ll be prepared.”
“Research has always come so easily to you.”
Rose frowned. What was he saying? “It’s part of my job.”
“I’m asking for your help in preparing for this panel so that I don’t make a fool of myself.”
Rose shook her head. He was amazing. “What makes you think I’d help you?”
“It’s been almost two years, Rose. Why are you still holding a grudge?”
“If you didn’t think you could research the discussion topic, why did you accept the invitation to participate on the panel?”
“Because I saw that you were on the panel, and I wanted the chance to spend time with you again.”
Rose caught her breath. Her mind spun with the implications of his words. Then she burst into laughter. She leaned her head back, allowing the waves of hilarity to rise up from her stomach, expand her chest, then roll from her throat.
“What is so funny?” Benjamin sounded as though he was clenching his teeth.
“You must think I’m such a fool.” Rose wiped the
tears from her eyes. “There you sit with your pregnant wife—yes, I’ve heard that she’s pregnant—expecting me to believe that you’d jump at the opportunity to spend time with me again. Why would I want to spend time with you? What makes you think I’m not with someone?”
“Are you?”
“Goodbye, Ben. Don’t call me again.” Rose ended the call even though Benjamin was still speaking. Let the snake stew on that until the reunion.
Rose tossed her phone onto her sofa and watched it bounce on the seat cushion. She dragged her fingers through her hair, wanting to pull on it. He must think she’s an idiot to try that come-on with her.
“I wanted the chance to spend time with you again.” Rose mocked him to the empty room. “Urgh!”
She spun on her bare heels and marched across the family room. This was yet another example of why she needed a fake boyfriend, and why the farce had to work. She couldn’t bear it if people realized she’d been celibate since her failed engagement.
Rose strode back to her sofa. She snatched her phone from the cushion and dialed Donovan’s number.
Donovan answered on the second ring. “Hello?”
“It’s Rose. We need to talk.”
“All right.” His acquiescence eased her temper.
“May I stop by?”
“Sure.” He gave her his address and directions to find him.
“Thanks. I’m on my way.”