Dorie Graham - Tempting Adam

“You need a hand?”

“No.” She waved him on. “Go appease that atrocious director. He’s called twice and wants nothing to do with me. If Bennett wasn’t so adamant about using him on the commercials, I’d tell him to take a hike.”

“Ah, but if Mr. Bennett wishes to pay for a special caterer to stroke said director’s ego, where’s the harm?”

A dry laugh worked its way up her throat. “You know the money comes out of our pocket first, Elliot.” She cocked her head. “We’re cutting it close on this one.”

He waved a dismissive hand. “You know I can’t clutter my brain with those worries. Aren’t we in the black?”

“Yes, we’re in the black. Just not as much as I’d like to see us, but we’ll survive.”

She sighed. Lately, their funds seemed to be going out faster than they’d been coming in, but with the two small jobs she’d picked up that morning, they’d survive until Bennett paid them. Thank goodness Bennett’s bend toward extravagance blended with Elliot’s elaborate campaign ideas. As long as she could keep them afloat in the interim, the Bennett account offered the hope of a tidy profit.

Elliot helped himself to coffee, while she stirred creamer into hers. “We picked up two new clients this morning, and Nancy with Magic Cleaners called to say she thought the ad was simply decadent. She’s cutting us a check today.”

“Good. That’s great.” He gestured toward the door. “I’m going to get on that caterer.”

Steam curled from her mug moments later as she sat, stretching in a wide yawn. She’d hardly slept last night. It was Adam’s fault. What made him think he qualified as husband material, not to mention father material? He’d never had a relationship that had lasted more than a few months. What was he thinking?

After a fortifying gulp of caffeine, she grabbed her phone and punched in his number. She drummed her fingers, waiting for him to answer.

“Top of the morning. Adam Morely here.”

“What’re you so chipper about?”

“Lauren, could you hold a sec? Let me finish this other call.”

“Sure.”

A short pause followed.

“Entice Advertising, they’re at 500 Sun View—”

“Adam? You’ve still got me. Who are you giving my address to?”

“Damn. Hold on.”

Curiosity filled her as silence hummed across the line. Who was he talking to? A florist? No. She shook her head. She couldn’t let Kamira’s wild imaginings get to her.

“Lauren?”

A slight shiver ran through her at the sound of his voice. She shook it off. “What was that about?”

“Um…it was nothing.”

She straightened. “Come on, Adam, you were giving out my address.”

“Oh…yeah, well, I wasn’t going to say anything in case it didn’t work out.”

Her heart thudded. “What didn’t work out?”

“Just a referral.”

“Referral?” A twinge of disappointment pierced her. “Oh.”

“I met this guy who has a carpet-cleaning service. He needs help getting the word out, so I gave him your name. No big deal. Just this one referral.”

She drew a deep breath. “Great. Thanks. As long as you’re not out trying to round up business for us when you should be working on your own stuff.”

“No, ma’am. I take care of my business, too, while I’m soaking up the sun.”

“Okay, like I said before, we’ll take all the business we can get then.”

“Sure. Hey, do yourself a favor and get outside today. It’s incredible out. The sun is shining, the breeze is light. Perfect for a walk on the greens.”

She stiffened. “Don’t tell me I’m sitting here with three hundred or so flyers to fold and you’re playing golf.”

“I’m networking, love.”

“Adam, watch this,” a feminine voice called in the background.

“Who’s that?” Lauren asked.

“Gloria. She’s practicing her swing.” He whistled softly. “That’s a beauty.”

Irritation grated through Lauren. What on earth had she been worried about? Adam hadn’t changed. “The swing, or the girl?”

“Both, actually.”

“I knew you couldn’t be serious about all that settling-down talk.”

“I am serious.”

“Shall we?” the woman called to him.

“Lauren, I’ll call you later. We’re getting ready to tee off. Maybe we can get together again for dinner tonight. I’ve got to go.”

“Wait—”

He hung up. She stared at the phone a moment, then blew out a breath. What was she upset about? He was the same old Adam. All was right in the world.

Relief flowed over her. She had just been imagining the glimmer of awareness between them last night. She should have known not to let her housemate’s crazy ideas get to her.

Lauren turned back to her computer and frowned. So why was she suddenly feeling…jealous?

“ELLIOT, CAN YOU SEE Adam with a wife and kids?”

Lauren leaned in the doorway of her partner’s office. She couldn’t get her mind off Adam’s comments. Why did the thought of him as a family man send trepidation racing through her?

Elliot peered up at her over his half-rim glasses. No doubt, she was interrupting a brainstorming session. A red feather boa taken from a rack of lingerie in the corner draped his shoulders.

“Adam? You mean your Adam?” he asked.

“He isn’t my—never mind. Dumb question.” She turned to leave.

“What’s bothering you, doll?”

She pivoted back toward him, her arms wrapped tightly around her stomach. “Nothing. I’m fine.”

Elliot pursed his lips. “Adam wants to settle down, and you’re afraid you’re going to lose your best friend.”

With a sigh, she sank against the door frame. “Oh, God, it’s so stupid. I really do want him to be happy. I just feel so…disturbed.”

“Let me guess. He wants you to help him find this wife.”

She gave him a wry smile.

“And she’s supposed to be some upstanding citizen willing to sacrifice all for her husband and little bambinos.”

A small grin tugged at her lips. “That’s amazing. Do you read palms, too?”

“No, doll, I just see the obvious.”

“Obvious?” She stared at him. “How can it be obvious? I’ve known the man all my life, but never saw this coming.”

Elliot shrugged. “You don’t see the two of you together.”

She stared at him, eyebrows raised.

“I suspected this all along.”

“Suspected what?”

The desk chair creaked as he shifted back. He smoothed his hand down the row of red feathers. “C’mon, Lauren, surely you have some inkling?”

Exasperation rose in her. “Of what?”

“Seems to me you’re an upstanding citizen willing to sacrifice all for your cause.”

She stared at him in disbelief.

“First Kamira, now you. I am not in the market for a husband. And kids are out of the question!” She sliced her hand through the air to emphasize her point.

Elliot laughed. “For now, at least, but were you to put your mind to it…”

“My mind is on this agency. I don’t have time for anything else. You of all people know that.”

A loud buzzing announced a visitor’s arrival in their exterior office. Lauren turned as the mail carrier entered. She moved beside him as he set a stack of mail and a package on the desk they’d use for a receptionist, if they ever acquired one.

“Hey, Frank,” she greeted the heavyset man. “We thought you’d forgotten us.”

“Oh, no, ma’am. Got a late start. Had to run the missus downtown.”

“What have you got for us today?”

He pulled on his bushy eyebrow. “Usual junk, that package, but at least no bills.”

Her gaze fell on the parcel. “What’s this?”

His shoulders shifted in a shrug. “Beats me. No return address.” He heaved his mailbag more securely on his shoulder and backed toward the door. “You have a good one.”