back stiffened at the thought of someone rejecting him—the man she’d worshiped from afar during her tumultuous teenage years. Whoever this woman was, Jessica decided, she was a fool.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Sterling was unwilling to provide any further information.
About eleven Evan walked into the office. He smiled as he strolled past Mrs. Sterling’s desk to hers. “The research you did was wonderful, Jessica. Thank you.”
His appreciation caught her off guard. She wondered if Damian had said something to him and was momentarily speechless.
“I appreciate the effort that went into your report,” he murmured. “I’m very pleased with the quality of your work.”
“I … I was happy to do it. That’s my … my job.” The words stumbled off the end of her tongue. Jessica was astonished that his praise could fluster her like this. She was embarrassed now by the way she’d overreacted last night when she’d learned that he’d left the office. It was her own fault for not taking time to eat lunch. Evan’s disappearance wouldn’t have bothered her in the least if she had….
“Damian said you were here till almost eight.”
So Damian had mentioned that. “As I said earlier, I was only doing my job.”
“Mom and Dad are having a barbecue this weekend,” Evan continued, “Saturday, around four. I’d like you to attend it with me.”
His invitation threw her, and she wasn’t sure what to say. Although she hadn’t had a lot of work experience, she knew that dating the boss could lead to problems.
“This shouldn’t be a difficult decision,” Evan said, raising his eyebrows.
His pride had already suffered one blow, and Jessica refused to deliver a second, no matter how slight. “I’d enjoy that very much,” she said. “Thank you for thinking of me.”
He smiled affectionately. “You always were sweet.”
As a teenager, Jessica’s daydreams had been filled with such scenarios. She’d close her eyes and pretend Evan had asked her out. Now her dream had come true, but Jessica was left wishing it had been Damian issuing the invitation, instead of his brother.
“I’ll pick you up. You are living in the city, aren’t you?”
Jessica nodded. “Wouldn’t it be simpler if we met at the party? As it happens, I’m spending the weekend with my parents, and I can walk over with them.”
Evan seemed a bit surprised by her suggestion. “You’re sure?”
“Positive.”
“Then that’ll be fine. I’ll look forward to seeing you there.”
There’d been a time in her life when she would’ve gladly walked across a bed of hot coals to attend a party with Evan. Any party. Anywhere. Hadn’t Damian been counting on that when he hired her—even if he claimed to know she was long over her crush?
“The party’s in honor of some dignitary,” Evan went on. “A French artist. Mom wants to throw the quintessential American party for him. She’s worked herself into a tizzy for the event. I can guarantee this will be the most elaborate barbecue Boston has ever seen. The last I heard, she’d hired a country-and-western band.”
“It sounds like fun.”
“Considering all the effort that’s going into it, I’m sure it will be. You can do the two-step, can’t you, sweet Jessica?”
“Of course.” How easy it was to stretch the truth. In fact, she’d only done the two-step once or twice before. “Well, I’m pretty rusty,” she amended.
“Me, too. We’ll leave the fancy footwork to Damian.”
Damian, she thought with a sigh. There was definitely something wrong with her, something psychological—something rooted deep in her childhood, she supposed—if she could agree to date one brother while longing for the other.
The hours flew by and before Jessica knew it, the workday had come to an end. Mrs. Sterling had just stepped out of the office when Damian strolled casually in.
“Evan’s gone for the day,” Jessica said, a little flustered to find him standing in front of her desk. Especially since she’d once again been thinking how much she’d prefer to attend the family barbecue with him.
“I’m not here to see my brother.”
“Mrs. Sterling will be right back.”
“I came to see you,” Damian said, his eyes dark and intense as they settled on her.
Jessica tensed. Did he have some complaint with her work?
“Don’t look so worried. I came to tell you my parents are holding a party this weekend. A barbecue.”
“Yes, I know. Evan mentioned it earlier.”
Damian’s eyes brightened with interest. He crossed his arms and leaned against her desk. “What did he say about it?”
“Not much. Apparently it’s in honor of a French artist.”
“I see.” He hesitated as if he was unsure, which Jessica knew was completely out of character for Damian. “I was wondering …” he began, then straightened and buried his hands in his pants pockets. “Would you like to come to the party with me?”
Her shoulders sagged as she opened her mouth to tell him that Evan had already invited her, but before she could respond, Damian added, “I realize it’s short notice, but I didn’t hear the details myself until this morning.” A hint of a smile turned up the corners of his mouth. “Mother phoned, wanting to confirm that I’ll be there. She seems to be taking her duties very seriously.”
“Ah …”
“There’s a problem,” he guessed.
She nodded glumly. “Evan’s already invited me to the party—as his date.” She wanted to tell Damian she’d rather attend with him, but she couldn’t. “I’m sorry,” she muttered.
“He did?” Instead of looking displeased at this turn of events, Damian seemed positively delighted. “Don’t be sorry.”
His reaction annoyed her.
“It isn’t like a real date,” she said, wanting to make that clear. “At least, that wasn’t the impression Evan gave me. The invitation was his way of thanking me for working so hard on the research he needed.”
“My brother wouldn’t invite you if he wasn’t interested in your company,” Damian insisted. “Besides, I wouldn’t want Evan to think I was cutting in on his territory.”
His territory.
Damian must have guessed her feelings, because he said, “Evan asked you first.”
He was right about that, she thought, but little else.
Damian
