rolled her eyes. “Would you two quit? It’s not like we never get together for dinner.”
“Okay, so when was the last time we got together for dinner, all three of us?” Macy asked, looking over the top of her designer eyeglasses. A strand of long brown hair with auburn highlights fell into her face before she quickly pushed it behind her ear. Macy and Janna were on one side of the tall-backed leather booth, while Iris sat across from them.
“You finally decided to get those reading glasses. They look good.”
Macy pushed them up farther on her nose. “I know you’re trying to change the subject, but thank you. I finally broke down and bought some. Those medical charts were getting blurrier by the day. Now, getting back to my original question—”
“It’s not my fault we haven’t gotten together. Ms. World Traveler over here―” Iris nodded her head toward Janna “―is the one who hasn’t visited her big sisters in months.”
“Okay, don’t start on me. Aren’t we supposed to be celebrating?” Janna chimed in and lifted her glass. She had naturally long, wavy hair, smooth cinnamon-brown skin and big, bright eyes shaded by long eyelashes. “I want to propose a toast. To a kick-ass defense attorney who continues to prove that she’s the best there is.”
“Here, here,” Macy said, and they clinked their glasses together.
Janna’s comment caused Iris to reflect back on her conversation with Nash Dupree, who labeled her as being the best. She wondered if he had noticed her staring at him throughout the conversation earlier today. Sure, she had been listening, but there were times she had tuned out and had zoned in on his magnificent lips...and that smile. He had the most beautiful, straight teeth she had ever seen on a man, which only enhanced his crooked, cocky grin. And those intense hazel eyes that missed nothing. Add those features to his alluring deep voice, and he was irresistible. God, what she would give to go home to a man with that voice who could talk dirty to her while....
“Hel-lo,” Macy said in a singsong voice, waving her hand in front of Iris’s face. “Are you still with us?”
Iris blinked several times and reached for her glass of water. Instead of bringing it to her mouth, she wanted to lay the cold cylinder against her cheek to cool the warmth that had spread to her face.
“You were smiling pretty hard there for a minute, sis,” Janna said. “So, what, or who, were you thinking about? Inquiring minds want to know.”
Iris had never fantasized about possible clients—or their guardians—before. She’d better get a grip. Talk about unprofessional. “Nobody,” she finally said.
“Mmm-hmm. That was a heck of smile for it to be about nobody. You know you can tell us,” Macy goaded. “Besides, it’s about time you met someone who makes you smile like that.”
Iris gave Macy a “drop it” look, but then noticed the way Janna was smiling. “And you’re talking about me being happy! What’s with you grinning from ear to ear like you have a secret that you’re dying to share?”
“Oh, I spotted an old friend who just walked in,” she said, patting her hair before she whispered, “Quick, do I have anything in my teeth? He’s coming over.” She flashed a smile at Iris.
“You’re good.”
Before Iris had a chance to glance back to see whom her sister was primping for, Janna slid from the booth and stood.
“Well, hey, there, stranger,” Janna greeted a tall gentleman, whose broad shoulders and long arms swallowed her up in an embrace. His back was to Iris, but his intoxicating, woodsy scent smelled mildly familiar.
Janna stepped out of his hug, but kept her hand on one of his arms. “It’s been a long time.”
“Yes, it has.” The stranger’s deep, melodious voice was familiar and captured Iris’s full attention. “I’m surprised to see you in Atlanta. Are you doing a shoot here?” he asked Janna.
“No.” Janna grabbed his other arm, turning him toward the table. “Actually, I’m here visiting my sisters. Let me introduce you.”
Iris’s heart slammed against her rib cage when the pair of hooded hazel eyes she’d been daydreaming about zoned in on her. Nash Dupree. Of all the restaurants in Atlanta, how is it that they ended up at the same one?
“This is my sister, Dr. Macy Carter, and my other sister, attorney Iris Sinclair.”
“Nice to meet you,” Nash said to Macy, shaking her hand before turning to Iris. “It’s good to see you again, Counselor.” He grasped her hand and Iris shivered when he brought it to his lips, kissing the back of it as he gazed into her eyes.
Iris stared back at him, enraptured by his attention and forgetting that they had an audience. When Macy cleared her throat, Iris quickly pulled her hand from Nash’s and dropped it into her lap. “It’s nice seeing you again, Mr. Dupree,” she sputtered, feeling, more so than seeing, her sisters’ gazes on her.
“Nash. Please call me Nash.”
“You two know each other?” Janna asked.
“Actually, we met this afternoon,” Nash volunteered, but before he could elaborate, the maître d’ of the restaurant informed him that his party had arrived. “I’m sorry. Though I would love to spend more time with you three lovely ladies, duty calls.” He kissed Janna on the cheek, bidding her a good evening, and then his gaze met Iris’s. “I look forward to seeing you again soon,” he said before he moved away from the table.
Iris watched him strut away with a swagger that had not only her mesmerized. Every other woman he passed—whether they were with a date or not—turned and eyed him from head to toe.
She turned back to her sisters, not surprised that they were staring at her. A hint of a smile lifted the edge of Janna’s mouth.
“Well, well, well, Macy, I think someone has been holding out on us. What do you think?”
“I think you’re right and if Ms. I-Don’t-Have-Time-for-a-Man doesn’t start talking soon, I’m going to have to give her one of my famous back-in-the-day beat-downs.”
Heat rose to Iris’s face. She quickly lowered her head and cut into her T-bone steak, shoving a chunk into her mouth. “So, how’s your pasta?” she asked Macy.
“Don’t you dare try changing the subject.” Janna leaned across the table and whispered, “How do you know Nash?”
Iris sighed, knowing her sisters weren’t going to let the subject drop until they had some details. Though she hadn’t officially agreed to take on Tania’s case, she was seriously thinking about it. That, at least, gave her the excuse that she couldn’t give much detail. “He came to see me about a legal matter.”
“Well, it looks like he’s interested in changing it to a personal matter.” Macy grinned and lifted her wineglass to her lips.
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Why not?” Janna asked. “He’s suave, he’s the sweetest man I know, he’s wealthy and apparently he’s interested in you. What’s the problem?”
