by Hope Ramsay
He gave her a big, toothy grin and ran his hand through his hair. “Gee, I’m really sorry, Laurie.” His voice dripped a fawning kind of concern.
She looked down at her coffee and willed her hands to stop shaking. “Thanks,” she said.
“I’m glad you came in today because there’s something I need to speak with you about.”
“Oh?”
“More bad news, I’m afraid.”
She glanced up at him. She didn’t need any more bad news. “What?”
“The funding we were expecting from the Walter Jephson Foundation for the Study of Social Science has fallen through. That means we don’t have the resources for your study on the factors that weaken party identification. In fact, we need to pare things back for a semester or two while we find alternate research funds. I’m going to need you to teach a couple of extra seminars.”
The universe must have put a big fat bull’s-eye on her this morning. First Mom and then Michael. A primal scream would have been so cathartic, but she swallowed it back and simply said, “Okay.”
But it wasn’t okay. It was a freaking disaster, like the cherry on top of a whole sundae of disasters. She let Michael drone on about the difficulties of funding and running a department on the cheap while she let her fury run rampant through her.
The more Michael tried to explain the situation, the edgier Laurie became until it dawned on her that Michael might not be particularly interested in seeing her light shine here at Winchester University.
Michael had tenure so he didn’t have to work all that hard to impress anyone. He certainly didn’t need a young associate professor who had been actively recruited by the faculty committee because she’d already published important research. Michael, for all his ogling, viewed her as a threat.
This realization astonished her. She’d never seen herself as being a threat to anyone. But maybe the time had come to step out of the comfortable shell she’d been living in. She didn’t need to defer to Michael. She could go around him and find her own research money. She’d done it as a grad student. She could do it as an associate professor.
And she didn’t need to lie down and take Brandon’s humiliation either. There was something she could do about that. Something her mother never would have done. But something her father wanted her to do.
She hurried back to her office, closed the door, and called Andrew Lyndon.
Wednesday afternoon found Andrew sitting at his desk popping his umpteenth antacid of the day. He had yet to tell Noah that Laurie truly wasn’t ready to date anyone. Andrew understood exactly how Laurie felt. Val had left him two years ago, and he still wasn’t ready to get back into the dating scene.
He’d been killing time playing Candy Crush on his phone most of the morning because Noah had taken him off the AVIEN negotiations. He’d spent something like thirty bucks buying extra lives, and he was bored out of his mind so, when his personal cell phone buzzed with Laurie’s name, he wanted to jump for joy. Maybe she’d reconsidered.
He pressed the talk button. “Laurie, I’m so glad you called. How are you?” He tried to keep the desperation out of his voice.
“To be honest, I’m pissed off. Do you know anything about Brandon going to Bermuda with Matt?”
“If you’re calling to confirm that rumor, it is apparently true.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that yesterday?”
“Because I didn’t know anything about it until this morning. My aunt called with the news.”
“Wow. She’s making the rounds, isn’t she? She called my mother too, and of course Mom called me. Honestly, Andrew, your aunt is a busybody.”
“Yes, she is. And also the chief gossip. I’m really sorry, Laurie.”
“So I have another question,” she said in a staccato voice that underscored her annoyance.
“Fire away.”
“Is it true Brandon has decided not to join the Shenandoah Falls office of Lyndon, Lyndon & Kopp?”
“Uh, well, I don’t know the answer to that.”
“Would you find out for me?”
“Of course I will,” he said.
“Thanks. Now I want to talk some more about this idea of yours.”
Andrew could hardly contain his surprise, or the sudden surge of relief that made him acutely aware of just how tight his shoulders had been all morning. “So I guess you changed your mind about manipulating Brandon after you heard that he went to Bermuda,” he said.
“No, actually it was when I heard that he changed his mind about joining his father’s firm. Also, I’ve been thinking about what you said. But there is one thing—my father may have told you that his goal is to get me to take Brandon back. But really that’s not what he wants.”
Andrew got up and started pacing his office. “What makes you say that?”
“He probably thinks you’ll be more likely to help him mess up Brandon’s life if you believe you’re doing it for some high-minded purpose, like salvaging the relationship.”
Andrew stopped in mid-pace. “Messing up Brandon’s life? Is that what you think he wants?”
“I’m sure Dad thinks you would rebel if he asked you to help him take Brandon down a few pegs,” Laurie said.
Andrew resumed his pacing. Well, it appeared that Laurie had reached the anger phase. He didn’t blame her for wanting to mess up Brandon’s life. He also knew that Noah had a hidden agenda of some kind. Noah always had a hidden agenda when it came to complicated negotiations.
Noah was capable of seeing both sides of every argument. He wasn’t the type of man who sought revenge—quite the opposite, in fact. Noah spent a lot of time subtly moving people around, pushing them from conflict to compromise. Everything Noah had done and said in the last few days suggested that he wanted Laurie and Brandon to get back together. And knowing Noah, he would use every asset at his disposal, including Andrew, to help the litigants see a path toward reconciliation.
But, of course, Laurie wasn’t ready to hear this yet. She had to work through her anger first.
“I’m sure your father only has your best interests in mind,” Andrew said in a neutral tone.
“Oh, come on. Dad wants to teach Brandon a lesson. And to be honest, I’m starting to get totally down with that idea.”
“And you want me to help you?”
She huffed out a breath. “Yeah, I do. And while I’m at it, I’m thinking that maybe I can help you avoid my father’s machinations.”
Andrew doubted it, but he wasn’t about to discourage Laurie if she wanted to help him extricate himself from this problem. “Okay, I’m listening.”
“It’s pretty easy. I want you to set me up on a date with someone and let Brandon know all about it. In fact, your aunt suggested someone.”
“Aunt Pam is the worst matchmaker in the universe. Take it from me, you do not want her messing with your life.”
“I’m not looking for a match, Andrew.”
“Oh yeah, right. So who did Pam suggest?”
“Your cousin Daniel.”
Well, that was a surprise. “Really?”
“Yes,” she said. “She seems to think we have a lot in common since we were both left at the altar.”
“Is that sarcasm in your voice?” he asked.
“Maybe,” she said. “So what do you think about Pam’s idea?”
“Well, it will annoy Brandon, that’s for sure. It will probably also break Roxy’s heart. She and Danny were an item all this summer. Are you ready for that?”
“Hmmm. I hadn’t thought of that. But, you know, I’m not serious about Daniel. And Roxy and Daniel broke up. So…”
“Good point,” he said.
“So, do you think Daniel would be willing to go out with me?” she asked.
“He might. Let me see what I can arrange.”
Chapter Six
The Union Jack Pub in old-town Winchester occupied a Victorian cast-iron building that had once housed a bank. The place was an Anglophile’s dream, featuring dark
oak paneling, a zillion different stouts, ales, porters, lagers, and a spot in the back for darts.
Laurie hated the place because its menu was heavy on the meat and potatoes. Over the years, she and Brandon had argued more than once about dining at the Union Jack. Brandon loved the burgers. Laurie hated the salads.
This made it the perfect locale for her first show-date.
Laurie was running late because Michael the departmental ogler had cornered her in her office for fifteen minutes to talk about absolutely nothing. In her first week on the job at Winchester University, Laurie had come to despise her boss, and even though she knew this date with Daniel was mostly about making Brandon crazy, she was still sort of looking forward to it. She planned to have a glass of wine and unwind.
She scanned the dining room and found Daniel sitting at a booth by the tall front windows. She took off in his direction, tottering on the Nine West heels she’d pulled from the back of her closet this morning before work. The last time she’d worn these pumps, they’d blistered her feet, which was why she hadn’t been foolish enough to teach her five seminars in them. She had slipped them on just as Michael had darkened her office door. They had definitely done the trick because Michael had studied her legs as if he were doing research in the college library. She didn’t wear skirts very often, and now, knowing Michael, she promised never to put on this black pencil skirt again.
She slid into the booth facing Daniel, who looked up from his cell phone and gave her a wary smile. He’d been there for a while, judging by the half-full drink sitting in front of him. It looked like he was drinking scotch or bourbon on the rocks.
“Sorry I’m late,” she said, checking her watch, only to discover that she’d kept him waiting almost twenty minutes. “I had to stop and chitchat with my department head.”
Daniel Lyndon cocked his head and gave her an assessing stare. She forced herself to stare right back. He was handsome, of course. The Lyndon genes didn’t permit anything else. But unlike his cousins and brothers, Daniel avoided the usual Brooks Brothers suit. Instead he had a refined casual look going for him in a pair of faded jeans, a gray V-neck sweater, and a battered leather aviator jacket. His face sported a dark shadow of beard, as if he’d forgotten to shave this morning. He also desperately needed a haircut.
In short, Daniel Lyndon was not remotely her type.
“It’s okay, Laurie. I don’t turn into a pumpkin at nine thirty, and I’ve got a babysitter all lined up. I’ve got nothing but time on my hands.”
“Still, I shouldn’t have kept you waiting. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. It gave me time to get the lay of the land, so to speak. Andrew and Brandon are behind you on the other side of the bar. Brandon knows I’m here. He came over to say hi.”
“Uh, wait. You said that like you know this isn’t a real date.”
His ironic half-smile morphed into something practically brilliant. “Andrew briefed me on the plan. To be honest, and don’t take this the wrong way, I wouldn’t have agreed to it otherwise.”
His words shook her confidence. Not that she wanted Daniel Lyndon to think she was all that. But still. Being left at the altar really had screwed up her self-esteem. She gave him a forced smile and remembered that Daniel Lyndon was just another jerk who fit nicely into Courtney’s master list of jerks and losers.
She could use this date as practice for the real thing.
A waitress came by, and Laurie ordered a glass of Bella Vista Vineyards Pinot Noir. Daniel ordered another scotch on the rocks.
“You didn’t have to order the Lyndon family wine to impress me, you know,” he said. “Like I said, I’m doing this as a favor to Andrew.”
“I wasn’t trying to impress you. I ordered it because it’s good wine. Also it’s one of the less expensive items on the wine list. I’m an untenured college professor. I have to watch my pennies.”
He leaned forward, an intense look in his eyes. “You know, I’m not a total jerk. This might be a fake date for Brandon’s benefit, but you don’t have to worry about the bill. It’s on me. It’s the least I can do.”
“How do you figure that?”
“Because you’re saving me from Aunt Pam and her matchmaking activities. She’s determined to match me up with anything in a skirt. In fact, I told her that I was having dinner with you, and she’s overjoyed. She thinks we have a lot in common.”
“Because of our bad wedding experiences?” she asked.
He laughed. “Very funny and yes. The truth is, I’m happy to help you do whatever it is you’re trying to do to Brandon.” He paused for a moment. “What is it you’re trying to do? I mean, you don’t really want him back, do you?”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. But down in the depths of her heart, she wasn’t so sure. As the days passed, her anger waxed and waned like the moon. Sometimes late at night when she couldn’t sleep, she’d lie awake wondering if there was some kind of bargain she could make with God in order to get Brandon back.
She missed him. In fact, it was unsettling to know that he was somewhere in the dining room. She had to forcibly stop herself from turning around and looking over her shoulder to see if she could spot him in the crowd. Brandon was like an itch she needed to scratch.
“I’m glad you don’t want him back,” Daniel said. “I don’t think he’s the right guy for you.”
She didn’t respond. Instead she picked up the menu and stared at it without really seeing it at all. Everyone on the face of the planet seemed to have an opinion about her relationship with Brandon, and they all felt free to express it. It was kind of rude, and it certainly underscored the fact that no one had any faith in Laurie’s ability to make the right choices.
The waitress came back with her wine and Daniel’s scotch. He ordered the crab cakes, and she bypassed the fish and chips and the bangers and mash, and ordered a burger. And then she spent a few minutes aligning the salt and pepper shakers and her silverware.
“Are you always this nervous on dates?”
She looked up at him. He had that rebel-without-a-cause thing going for him, and his eyebrow arched just enough to make her feel utterly incompetent.
“Yeah, I guess I am nervous. I haven’t dated all that much.”
“Right, because you and Brandon were together for ten years, but not exactly married.” His voice had an ironic edge to it that was as sharp as honed steel.
“So you think I should have forced him to marry me sooner?”
He snorted a laugh. “I think you should have realized he wasn’t interested in commitment when it took ten years to get him to the altar.”
She took a long gulp of her wine. “I know you think I probably want to spend this evening running Brandon down. I mean, I suppose he deserves it. But it doesn’t really help me, you know, to be sitting here talking about him.”
Something changed in Daniel’s eyes. “Really? Then why are you here?”
She didn’t really have a good answer. So she decided to turn the tables on him.
“So, tell me, how did you feel when your fiancée left you standing at the altar?”
He laughed. “My situation isn’t at all like yours. I was relieved when Mia ditched me.”
“Because you’re afraid of commitment? That makes you just like Brandon.”
He stilled. “No, that’s not the reason. Mia was a bitch.”
“Why do guys always do that?”
“Do what?”
“Start calling women names when things go wrong. Come on, Daniel, you were relieved because you are scared of commitment.”
“Why do women always do that?” he asked.
“What?”
“Use the failure-to-commit card every time a relationship fails. The truth is that I tried to get Mia to marry me for two solid years. I was perfectly happy to commit, Laurie. It was Mia who wasn’t. I’m not a jerk like Brandon.”
“Oh,” she said in a small voice. “Then why did you dump Roxy?”
“What?”
“You heard me. You and Roxy were kind of a thing this summer, and then boom, suddenly you weren’t.”
“We weren’t ever a thing. Honestly, we used to fight like cats and dogs when we were kids.”
“Yes, you were a thing. You went out a few times. And Roxy helped you with your custody battle. And Roxy talked about you all the time. You guys were definitely a thing.”
He shrugged, the gesture so out of sync with the look in his eyes. “Come on, Laurie, what woman wants to take on a two-year-old?”
“Lots of women want children. Are you telling me that Roxy walked away because you have a child? I don’t believe that for a minute. She loves children. She raises money for childhood cancer research. I’m thinking it was more a case of you using your daughter as an excuse not to get in too deep.”
He stilled. “What is this? Did you organize this meeting to dump all over me?”
“I’m just asking a question, Daniel. Did you ever ask Roxy how she felt about your daughter?”
He blinked a few times. “No. But I didn’t need to,” he snarled. “Can we change the subject?”
“Sure,” she said with a nod.
But instead of talking about the weather, or books, or movies, or any of a dozen other safe date topics, Daniel ordered another drink and then spent most of the time talking about Roxy and the fun they’d had over the summer when they weren’t dating and they weren’t a thing.
Daniel, it turned out, was not really a jerk. He was just another confused person trying to figure out relationships in the twenty-first century.
“What the hell is she doing here? She hates this place,” Brandon said as he slammed his beer glass down on the table, his expression delightfully annoyed.
Andrew pretended innocence, since his back was to the door. “Who?”
“Laurie. Don’t turn around,” Brandon said, picking up his glass of Sam Adams Oktoberfest once again. “I can’t believe it. She’s sitting down at Danny’s table.”