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  “Thanks,” he said, putting a finger to his lips and then to hers.

  When he crawled between the sheets, he fell right to sleep. For the first time in what seemed to be forever, he wasn’t tormented by nightmares and regret.

  * * *

  Emily sighed when she saw the message from Sophia on her cell phone Thursday morning. She’d already spoken to her twice since the successful fund-raiser. It was hard to imagine what more she could have to say. Because she was an important client, Emily called her back.

  “Good morning,” she said cheerfully when she reached her. “Are you still basking in all the glory of that fortune you raised at your dinner?”

  “That women’s shelter needs all the help it can get,” Sophia told her. “What I raised was just a pittance compared to what they could use. I was over there yesterday and they said they’re running out of room. It just breaks my heart to think that there are women out there in need of a safe place to stay and the shelter can’t accommodate them.”

  “But you have a plan,” Emily guessed. “I know that tone of voice, Sophia. It hasn’t been twenty-four hours since you were over there, and you already have something in mind.” It was Sophia’s generous spirit that made all the petty annoyances of working with her easier to take.

  “Well, of course, I do,” Sophia said. “But I’m going to need your help with this, Emily. How soon can you get here?”

  Emily thought of her promise to Boone. She couldn’t go running off today, or even tomorrow, not even for Sophia.

  “The beginning of next week,” she told her.

  “Not soon enough,” her number one client said. “Make it Monday. I already have an appointment scheduled for us.”

  “That’s only a few days from now,” Emily protested, thinking of her promise to Boone. “I don’t know that I can wrap things up here that quickly.”

  “Monday,” Sophia repeated, unrelenting. “It’s not for me. It’s for these women who need our help.”

  “Why don’t you fill me in now?” Emily suggested, knowing that she was already hooked. If Sophia wanted her there Monday, she’d find a way. Not only was this woman her top client, they were slowly becoming friends, as well. Either status might be enough to lure Emily back, but combined, they assured it.

  “I found another potential safe house,” Sophia said, sounding pleased. “I’ve already spoken to the board, and we’re ready to move on this. The problem is that it needs a little work. That’s where you come in. I’m hoping you can call in some favors, get us a break on some materials and furnishings. We won’t have a lot of time to make this happen, not if we want some of these women to have a place to stay before Thanksgiving.”

  “Sophia,” Emily protested with a groan. “Thanksgiving? That’s impossible.”

  “Nothing is impossible if you want it badly enough,” Sophia contradicted. “Everyone should have a safe place to spend Thanksgiving. Especially single mothers with kids. I’m already working on turkey donations, and my caterer has agreed to provide an absolute feast.”

  “Of course he has,” Emily said. It was rare for anyone to deny Sophia whatever she wanted, Emily included.

  “What about you? Are you in?” Sophia pressed.

  “Of course I am,” Emily said. “What time is the appointment?”

  “Ten o’clock, but I could push it back to the afternoon. That’s the best I can do.”

  Emily thought of the flight schedules she’d looked over before her last trip. “Try to set it up for three,” she said. “That should give me time to get in and get to your house. If I’m running late, I’ll call and you can give me the address and I’ll meet you there.”

  “You’re an angel, Emily.”

  “Hardly that, but I owe you for all the business you’ve sent my way. If this is important to you, it’s important to me.”

  Sophia hesitated, then said, “You know, Emily, I honestly thought you’d seize the chance to get back out here with a little more enthusiasm. Is there something back there that has a hold on you, besides the whole family thing, that is?”

  It was the most personal question Sophia had ever asked. Usually she was all business, even though she obviously had a soft spot for Emily. It was one more hint at their evolving friendship.

  “Just a few things I’ll need to juggle,” Emily replied evasively, thinking that it was best to keep this discussion on a professional footing. Or maybe just not wanting one more person chiming in with an opinion about her personal life. “I’ll work it out.”

  “Then I’ll see you at my place around two on Monday,” Sophia said. “With traffic the way it is out here, it could take us an hour to get to this house. You do know that the address can’t become public information, right?”

  “Understood,” Emily assured her. She knew that for some of these women their lives and even their children’s lives depended on being someplace where no one could find them. The consequences of a slip could be tragic.

  She thought of the women who’d gotten their lives back, thanks to Sophia’s efforts with this particular cause, and it reminded her yet again that all the parties, the galas, the dinners weren’t just a frivolous exercise by someone with too much time and money.

  “Sophia, what you’re doing here? It’s pretty amazing,” Emily told her. “Thank you for letting me have a small part in it.”

  “Oh, honey, your part won’t be that small,” Sophia said with a laugh. “I’m counting on you to donate your time and to save us a bundle. I expect you to work your magic and create something warm and wonderful on a shoestring. There’s this one room, it’s a mess now, but it will make the most amazing playroom for the children. I can already envision it.”

  “I’ll do my best,” Emily promised.

  She sighed as she disconnected the call. Now she just had to find the right words to persuade Boone that she wasn’t already going back on her promise to give the two of them a real chance.

  13

  Boone was about to call Emily to invite her on a formal date when his cell phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and saw she’d beat him to it.

  “Great minds,” he commented when he answered. “I was about to call you.”

  “Really? Then you go first.”

  “How about dinner tonight? I’m thinking it’s about time you tried my restaurant. You’ve never even set foot inside. Of course, the inside’s a construction zone, but you’ll get the idea. And it should be a nice night for eating on the deck. What do you say?”

  “I’d love it,” she agreed at once.

  “And you won’t start telling me how to redecorate?” he teased. “I know that’s an ingrained habit of yours.”

  “Very funny. I’m sure it’s lovely already, even with the repairs you’re having to make. And Grandmother and Jerry certainly give it high marks for the food. I’m anxious to see what’s on the menu.”

  “Why don’t I pick you up at the house around six-thirty? That’ll give me time to get B.J. settled over at Alex’s for the night.”

  “A sleepover?” she asked, an unmistakably breathless note in her voice.

  Boone chuckled. “For him,” he confirmed.

  “And us?”

  “I suppose we’ll have to see how things go.”

  “Way to dangle a carrot, Dorsett.”

  Boone chuckled at the frustration she didn’t even try to disguise. “You called me, by the way. Anything in particular on your mind, or were you just calling to hear the sound of my voice?”

  She hesitated, then said, “Why don’t we talk about it tonight? It’s something we should probably discuss face-to-face.”

  Boone felt his heart still. “That doesn’t sound good. Maybe you should tell me now.”

  “Tonight’s soon enough,” she insisted. “I’ll see you at six-thir
ty. I’ll wear something pretty and knock your socks off.”

  Boone was not about to tell her that it wouldn’t take much to knock off his socks and anything else he was wearing. Just looking at her made him want to strip down and haul her off to bed. How he’d resisted this long was beyond him.

  “See you tonight. Since you have this big plan, I won’t bother wearing socks. It’ll save time.”

  She was laughing when he disconnected the call. Despite the teasing note he’d managed to pull off, he wished this feeling of dread hadn’t just settled in his stomach.

  * * *

  Samantha looked over Emily’s shoulder at her computer screen, then frowned.

  “You’re leaving Sunday?” she asked when she saw the ticket Emily was booking for Los Angeles.

  Emily nodded. “I have to be in L.A. for a meeting Monday afternoon. As it is, I’ll be cutting it close. One missed connection and I’m doomed.”

  “What about all those promises you made to Boone about giving your relationship a chance? Gabi and I heard you make them.”

  “Because you eavesdropped,” Emily accused as Samantha slid into the booth across from her. “It’s not as if it’s any of your business.”

  “Okay, forget my reaction. What’s Boone going to think? Did you consider that?”

  “Of course I did. He’s going to think we’re starting this long-distance stuff a little sooner than we planned,” Emily said. “At least I hope he’ll be able to see it that way.”

  “Good luck with that,” Samantha said, her tone dire.

  “Thanks for the support,” Emily told her with a scowl. “Aren’t you supposed to be on my side?”

  “I am, which is why it kills me to see you shooting yourself in the foot already. You want this thing with Boone. I know you do, but you’re not willing to give it even half a chance.”

  Emily described the offer Sophia had made to her that morning. “It’s not as if I’m rushing back just to make big bucks on something,” she told her sister. “This shelter matters, Samantha. It’s a chance for me to make a real difference for some people who need it. I’m finally at a stage where I can do a pro bono job like this.”

  “Would you have agreed if this Sophia weren’t one of your best clients?”

  “I’d like to think I would have,” Emily said. “I know you, Gabi and Grandmother all think I’m just in this for the money and the fancy celebrity clients, and maybe that’s what it’s been up to now. This shelter is a way for me to give back, to find a whole different level of professional fulfillment.”

  Samantha nodded slowly. “Okay, I can see why you couldn’t turn it down.”

  Emily regarded her hopefully. “Do you think Boone will see it that way?”

  “Only one way to find out,” Samantha said. “But I don’t envy you having to tell him.”

  “Yeah, I’m not exactly looking forward to that myself. I’m hoping a dress that shows a lot of cleavage will distract him enough that he’ll hardly hear a word I say.”

  “A sneaky but sometimes effective tactic,” Samantha agreed. “But when the words do sink in, I still think it’s going to bite you in the butt.”

  “What if I suggested he and B.J. come to Los Angeles? B.J.’s dying to go to Disneyland.”

  “Boone wants to leave B.J. out of this for now,” Samantha reminded her.

  The comment proved just how intently she and Gabi had been paying attention the night before. The pair of them must have taken notes.

  “Well, I have to do something so he understands that I’m not just ditching him,” Emily responded.

  Samantha seemed to be giving the matter some thought, so Emily waited to see what her sister would come up with. She certainly hadn’t thought of an effective approach. Samantha admittedly had more experience with men, even if she was flying solo lately.

  “Asking him to follow you to the West Coast before you’ve even gotten started might be a tactical mistake,” Samantha said slowly. “Maybe it would be better to give him a concrete date when you’ll be back here. Or suggest he meet you someplace a little more neutral. Do you have to go back to Aspen on this trip?”

  Emily brightened. “That’s a thought. A couple of days in Aspen could be pretty romantic, almost like a honeymoon. I like that.” She gave Samantha a hug. “Sometimes you’re not half bad.”

  Samantha just arched a brow. “What a glowing review! I think I’ll add that to my resume.”

  Emily laughed. “Have Gabi spin it for you,” she suggested. “That’s what she does. Now I’m bailing on you to go home to get pretty. It’s been a while since I’ve taken the time to get buffed up and polished for a date.”

  “And what do I tell Grandmother if she wants to know where you’ve gone off to right before the lunch crowd gets here?”

  “Tell her I have an official date with Boone. She’ll be so thrilled, she’ll probably send over a hairdresser and a manicurist.”

  “She probably will,” Samantha said, chuckling. “You may have found the magic formula for getting out of working around here. Gabi and I both need boyfriends.”

  “Gabi claims to have one.”

  “And we both know she’s deluding herself,” Samantha said. “I just hope she’s not devastated when she figures it out.”

  Emily sighed. “Yeah, me, too.”

  * * *

  Boone couldn’t recall ever seeing Emily as perfectly put together and sexy as she looked when he arrived to pick her up.

  He swallowed hard and worked to keep his jaw from dropping.

  “You clean up nice,” he said approvingly. He’d gotten used to seeing her in shorts and a tank top that showed off quite a lot of her assets, but that was nothing compared to the designer sundress that made her look utterly feminine and sophisticated.

  She wore it with a pair of strappy, high-heeled sandals that he suspected cost more than his weekly take-home pay. He was pretty sure he’d seen something similar in a Sex and the City movie that one of his less-than-stellar dates had dragged him to.

  Emily smiled at his reaction, amusement sparkling in her eyes, and suddenly the woman he’d known forever was back.

  “I knew those shorts were a mistake,” she said. “If I’d worn this a lot sooner, you and I would have been in bed long before now.”

  “I’d like to think my resistance is stronger than that,” he responded, but he wasn’t so sure of it. Right now the idea of wasting time on dinner didn’t hold a lot of appeal.

  As if she’d read his thoughts, she tucked an arm through his. “Come on. I’m dying to see your restaurant. Don’t even think about skipping that.”

  He glanced sideways at her. “Don’t try to tell me that blowing off dinner didn’t cross your mind.”

  “Well, of course it did, but you’re supposed to be made of tougher stuff.”

  Boone had a hard time keeping his eyes on the road as he drove to the restaurant, but he did try. His frequent glances in her direction seemed to amuse her.

  “There’s something different about you tonight,” he said.

  “It’s the dress and shoes,” she said. “You’re used to seeing me looking as if I’ve just come off the beach.”

  “That’s the obvious answer, but it’s more than that. I guess in those other clothes you seem like the girl I used to know. Now, you’re this sexy, sophisticated woman. I’m not sure I know this Emily at all.”

  She looked dismayed by his words. “I’m just me, Boone. What I’m wearing doesn’t change anything.”

  “Doesn’t it? Those shoes probably cost a fortune.”

  “So what if they did? I was doing just fine in cheap flip-flops and sneakers.” She studied him with a narrowed gaze. “Please tell me you’re not going to get all bent out of shape over which of us makes more money. You have three successful
restaurants. You’re obviously doing okay. I’m not interested in your bank balance, Boone. Why should you care about mine?”

  “I don’t,” he said with frustration. “At least I shouldn’t. It just hit me that we’re not exactly in the same league.”

  “Oh, please. I buy expensive clothes because my image matters with potential clients, not because I love throwing away a lot of money on a blouse. You dress to meet customer expectations, too.” She frowned at him. “Do you realize this could be the most ridiculous conversation we’ve ever had?”

  It was, Boone thought to himself. He forced a smile. “Only one way I can think of to put it behind us.”

  “Oh?”

  “Get rid of the clothes,” he said with a wink.

  Emily chuckled. “Feed me first, then we’ll talk.”

  “So, it’s open for negotiation?”

  She met his gaze, her expression sobering. “It’s definitely open for negotiation.”

  That was the best news Boone had had since he’d picked her up.

  * * *

  Emily had put off her big announcement as long as she possibly could. They’d toured the restaurant, which was even nicer than she’d imagined. There was no beach kitsch, just a warm, inviting atmosphere that surely made diners comfortable and took full advantage of the water views from almost every window.

  The smells emanating from the kitchen had been tantalizing, so she’d been more than ready to let Boone order all the specialties for her to try. The Cajun influence was evident, but not overwhelming. The fish and jambalaya had been seasoned to perfection.

  She’d pushed aside an incredible crème brûlée after just a few bites. “No more,” she’d murmured with a groan. “I’m stuffed.”

  “Want to take a walk before coffee?” Boone suggested.

  She met his gaze. This is it, she thought. “Why don’t we have that coffee at your place?”

  “Why don’t we?” he agreed softly.

  If it had been up to her, they’d have fled from the restaurant, sped across the bridge back to Boone’s and raced across the lawn to the house, but there was no way the owner could make a quick escape. Regular customers wanted to speak to Boone, the chef had a few questions, even Boone’s second in command, Pete Sanchez, seemed to have a few burning issues that had to be resolved. By then even Boone had lost patience.