didn’t throw anything.”
“You were at her place.” It wasn’t a question.
Since Linc hadn’t given him the when and where, he asked, “How did you know?”
“She didn’t want to break any of her stuff.”
“Ah.” He hadn’t thought of that when picking the venue for his bombshell. His only thought had been that the last thing she’d ever said to him was that she never wanted to see him again. There wouldn’t have been a meeting if he’d tried to set one up. Surprise had been the only option. And it worked, sort of. He’d expected to feel nothing and got a surprise of his own at the flood of emotion, the explosion of memories that was like being pelted with hail.
“And after she didn’t throw anything?” Mason prompted. “What did she say?”
“She didn’t believe it.” Linc had revealed everything to his attorney, including the fact that Hastings Hart was not his biological father. “I explained what happened and convinced her it was true. Of course she wanted to know how the divorce screwup happened.”
“You get what you pay for.” There was an ironic tone in the other man’s voice.
“I already told you that was before your time. Rose seemed...sympathetic after I told her about what happened.”
Sympathy was so much more palatable than pity. And he would never be sure whether or not his standing in a financial dynasty mattered to her because he’d taken that choice out of her hands. It was impossible to know for sure if she fell in love with him, or the him that was part of the Hart family fiscal package. But in the last ten years he’d learned women were attracted to money even when it came from a bastard.
“What did she say?”
Linc met the other man’s gaze. “That I should have told her what was going on.”
“You have no idea how hard it is for me not to say ‘duh.’”
“Don’t think I didn’t notice you just did.” Linc sighed. “No one is disputing the fact that I’m an ass.”
“It’s not too late to change.”
“Sometimes it is.”
“You’re ten years older and wiser,” Mason reminded him.
“True. But age and wisdom can’t undo what I did to her. Only reparation can do that.”
“It’s true that I haven’t worked for you long, but I’m sensing something.” Mason’s attorney expression returned. “Did she mention retaining legal counsel?”
“No.”
“She should,” Mason pointed out. “To protect her rights.”
“I have no intention of treating her unfairly in the divorce settlement.”
The other man’s eyes narrowed. “Then what did you do?”
“I offered her a job.”
“Doing what?”
Linc hadn’t shared his research on Rose. “She has an interior-design business and it’s not doing well. She needs some help.”
“So, you’re giving her money?” There was no approval or judgment in the other man’s voice, he was just seeking clarification of facts.
“No. I want to hire her to decorate my place in Blackwater Lake. With the possibility of future high-profile projects to strengthen her résumé and get more work.”
Mason thought that over, then nodded approvingly. “Smart move. Keep her happy to avoid an ugly and public divorce. In the long run a goodwill gesture could be less expensive than a lawsuit for retroactive alimony. Alienation of affection.”
“This has nothing to do with dodging back–spousal support. She’s entitled to a generous settlement.” Pain and suffering came to mind and Linc winced. He hated that he was the one who’d hurt her. “But you should know that she hasn’t agreed to my offer yet.”
It had been long enough and Linc was beginning to wonder if Rose planned to ignore his proposition. He wasn’t sure what constituted a decent length of time to allow her for consideration, but time was almost up. He’d give her another twenty-four hours, but if there was no word, he planned to make good on his promise to contact her.
“You’re a good man, Linc.”
“Don’t tell anyone. No one would believe you but it could be bad for my business reputation if that rumor got out.”
“There’s this handy thing called attorney-client privilege and it means I’m not allowed to reveal your confidential information.”
Even if Mason swore on a bible, Linc was pretty sure Rose wouldn’t believe him. Leaving her had ripped out his heart and if she hurt even half that bad it made what he’d done unforgivable. So, the longer it took for her to get back to him, the more determined he became to hire her. If necessary he would sweeten the deal. Somehow...
His cell phone rang and he picked it up, checking the caller ID. What a coincidence. Before it sounded again, he answered. “Rose.”
“Hello, Linc. I’ve been thinking about what you said.”
Her voice was businesslike with just a hint of sultriness in the slight lisp. It took a lot of self-control to hold off on a hard sell. “And?”
“I’d like to discuss it in more detail.”
“Okay. I’ll meet you for dinner. In say...” He looked at the watch on his wrist. “An hour?”
“Tonight?” She sounded surprised.
“Yes. I’m free.” He met Mason’s gaze and shrugged.
“Tomorrow at my studio would be fine,” she said.
Did she have a date? With the guy she was “almost engaged” to? A knot tightened in his gut. “Do you have plans?”
“No, but—”
“Then I’ll pick you up in about an hour,” he said. “What do you say?”
There was hesitation on the other end of the line that was just about to turn awkward. Then she said, “I’ll meet you at the diner. There’s only one in Prosper so you can’t miss it.”
“Okay. See you then.”
After he ended the call Mason cleared his throat. “So, I get bumped for dinner with your wife. Should my feelings be hurt?”
“Come on, Mason. We both know lawyers don’t have feelings.” He grinned at the other man. “You said yourself this was a smart move. I have to close the deal on my goodwill gesture.”
And if this was a little more than goodwill that would just be a secret not even his attorney knew.
*
