The Deal

This isn't happening. Naomi had been expecting something sensual and intimate, a glass of champagne over his newly presented contact. Not this. She remained rooted to the spot and riddled with doubt, just inside the door. Scoping the set up she noted Clara's position in her chair was facing away from the empty chair next to her. Clara was no more in the mood for this than she was.

She also noticed Lucas's ex-wife looked glamorous – dressed more for happy hour than this situation – in a little back dress with jeweled neckline, sheer stockings and high heels. Her copper hair was arranged high on her head, as if she'd just stepped out of the salon. An expensive designer handbag rested against her chair. Her immediate reaction was Clara had dressed for Lucas, to win him back. It made Naomi want to leave. Immediately. There was no way she was lowering herself to fight over a man. It wasn't in her nature. If a man wasn't man enough to know which woman he wanted, she didn’t want him.

Lucas gestured at the chair again. "Naomi, please. Take a seat. I've asked you both here to agree to some boundaries. I need you both to hear me out."

"Control freak," Clara muttered.

That was low, Naomi thought. Clara was using her personal knowledge of Lucas to kick out at him. She pursed her lips, still considering the door.

"Jesus, Clara!" His expression turned thunderous. "I'm trying to be civilized here. Do you have to undermine every conversation you ever have?"

Naomi walked over to the chair he'd indicated. "It's going well so far, this being civilized attempt, I see."

"Sorry." Lucas look

ed at her, and there was a silent request in his expression.

She sat down and folded her arms loosely over her waist.

"I'm asking you to be civil, Clara, because Naomi is in my life now and – I hope – for a long time to come."

Despite Naomi's annoyance at the set up, his words did touch her.

"There are going to be times when you cross paths, simply because of Toby. It's happened already. I figured if I could introduce you two properly it would make things easier. "

Clara snorted.

Naomi's tension levels ratcheted. Shifting in her chair, she unfolded her arms, ready to leap out of the seat.

"Everything has to be a business negation to Lucas," Clara commented.

Naomi pressed her lips together, determined not to respond, when she realized Clara had directed the comment at her. Besides, it wasn't true, not exactly. It was just his way.

"Clara. Naomi and I met when she came here for representation. We've been seeing each other a while. It was unfortunate that you met in Switzerland, without preparation, but that's behind us now."

"Representation, huh?" Again Clara addressed Naomi. "And he made a move on you. Classy."

Why the hell do I have to listen to this? Naomi wondered. Her hands had locked over the arms of her chair. She did it for him, for Lucas. It was the only way she could stop herself from taking flight.

"Speculating does you no favors." Lucas glared at his ex. He was getting annoyed.

Clara ignored him and kept looking Naomi's way. "So you slept with him because it's good for your business. Digging a little gold were we?"

That was the last straw. It was so important to Naomi that wasn't the case. She'd walked away from an Eaglestone contract to prove it to him.

She rounded on Clara. "You’ve been an absolute bitch to me for no good reason. What the hell is it you are afraid of?"

She hadn't even thought it out. The words just popped out of her mouth, but her question stunned Clara. The atmosphere grew taut, the silence ringing in Naomi's head.

"I'm not afraid…" Clara mumbled eventually. Her forehead crinkled. "Well, I guess I am a bit. It's just hard...starting over."

Her voice hiccupped as if she was about to cry.

Naomi risked a glance at Lucas.

His thunderous expression was fast morphing into disbelief. She could tell he was riveted. As was she. The desire to be gone was still urging her to stand up and walk, but she wanted to know what Clara would say next.

Clara's vitriolic mood vanished in a heartbeat. "I'm on my own with a small child, and Lucas manages to get it right the first time with a happy ever after."