* *
Donovan hadn’t realized he’d had expectations when he’d accepted Tyler’s invitation to have lunch with him, Iris and her sister, the lawyer. But he was disappointed by the quiet, aloof woman Iris introduced as Rose. It was an appropriate name for someone who seemed covered in thorns. Donovan had assumed Iris’s sister would be as warm and personable as Iris. He tried again to engage her in conversation.
“Where did you go to law school, Rose?” Donovan pitched his voice to be heard above the chatter from the surrounding tables in the crowded neighborhood restaurant.
“University of Michigan.” Her brief glance was dismissive. She returned her attention to her salmon salad.
“That surprises me.” The spicy scent of his chicken parmesan lured Donovan back to his own entrée.
“Why?” Rose’s head snapped up at Donovan’s comment. “Do you think I wouldn’t be able to get into such a highly ranked law school?”
“Rose, I’m sure that wasn’t what Van meant.” Iris stared at her older sister beside her. She sounded surprised by Rose’s reaction.
“That’s not what I meant.” Donovan was relieved to know Rose wasn’t always this prickly. What had caused her uncharacteristic response? “Iris told me you and your sisters were born and raised in Columbus, home of The Ohio State University. I’m surprised you’d go to OSU’s rival school.”
Rose looked down her nose from the other side of the table. “I wasn’t concerned about their rivalry. The University of Michigan has a good law school.”
Tyler lowered his glass of iced tea. “Xavier and I were born in Columbus, too. But we chose to go out of state for college. That’s where we met Van.”
Rose nodded as though she was filing away the information on how he’d met the Anderson cousins.
Donovan heard the note of caution in Tyler’s voice as his friend and coworker waded into the conversation. Perhaps Tyler also was caught off guard by Rose’s behavior during this lunch. He’d thought Tyler had met Iris’s two sisters. Did Rose seem different from the first time he’d met her?
Maybe Donovan should stop while he was ahead. He couldn’t imagine Rose agreeing to help the shelter pro bono. She didn’t appear to be a very compassionate person. But he couldn’t convince himself to leave the lawyer alone. He needed legal assistance to speak for his clients and their families. Besides, something about her chilly, judgmental demeanor challenged him, and Donovan had always been attracted to challenges.
“Are you saying you’re not a Buckeye fan?” Donovan allowed his gaze to roam over Rose’s face.
She was lovely. Her skin looked as smooth and warm as honey. Her elegant features were perfect: winged ebony eyebrows, a long, narrow nose, high cheekbones, a pointed chin. Her cocoa-brown eyes were wide and curious and framed by long, thick lashes. Her full, pink lips were classically curved. Such lips were meant for smiling. And kissing.
“I don’t like college sports. I prefer the pros.” Rose pinned him with a stare. “What about you?”
Would she grade me on my answer? “I like all sports, college and pros. Which teams do you like?”
“The Ohio ones, of course.” She shrugged one slender, sexy shoulder. “I just wish they were better.”
Rose earned points for supporting her home teams despite the fact that it had been longer than a while since any of Ohio’s professional franchises had sniffed a championship. It took a lot of perseverance to stick with a team through its darkest seasons. But her chilly personality left her with a scoring deficit because she didn’t seem approachable. Regret settled on his shoulders like a coat. Rose couldn’t provide the legal representation they needed. He wanted someone who cared about the people, not just the process.
Now that he knew he wouldn’t be working with her to represent the shelter and its clients, there was no reason for them to see each other again. Was there?
* * *
Rose considered Donovan in her peripheral vision. Iris had been wrong. Donovan wasn’t right for the role of her fake boyfriend at all. Yes, he was successful and intelligent. But he was too charming. If he attended her reunion, he’d cast a spell over half of the attendees, if not all of them. And he was far too attractive. Rose glanced at him again. Contrary to popular opinion, she believed there was, in fact, such a thing as “too handsome.” And Donovan Carroll fit that description. To perfection. So did Tyler. Judging from the attention the two received from the women at the other tables, Rose’s theory had support. Did Iris notice the stares directed toward their table? How could she not?
Rose took another peek at Donovan. His shaved head was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen. His classically handsome sienna features were hypnotizing. She enjoyed watching his long, elegant hands move. And his bright, hazel eyes made her think wicked thoughts.
No, he wasn’t a good choice for the role he’d unknowingly been auditioning for. Rose had known that the moment she’d seen him walk into the restaurant with Iris and Tyler. Their fake relationship would be blown the minute they showed up at the reunion. She’d have to keep track of the hotel room keys he’d be collecting. She didn’t have time for that. But even with that realization, Rose couldn’t stop auditioning him.
Donovan had settled back onto his seat beside Tyler in the booth. He was staring at his half-empty glass of iced tea as though it held the key to his future.
Rose took a sip of her ice water. “Your office must be very busy preparing for the launch of your latest computer game.”
Iris had told Rose more than she needed to know about Anderson Adventures’ upcoming release, Osiris’ Journey, but it had been wonderful seeing her sister so excited and engaged in the project. It had been the happiest she’d seen Iris in years.
Donovan looked up from his drink. “Iris has done an excellent job with the product launch. Anderson Adventures is breaking all sorts of preorder records with Osiris’ Journey.”
“Thank you for the kind words, Van.” Iris inclined her head. “But I think the preorders are a reflection of the product, not my work.”
Rose glowed as though Donovan’s compliment was meant for her. “Iris is fearless, in addition to being very talented and creative. She’s going to go far. And so will Anderson Adventures, if you stick with her.”
Iris’s cheeks grew pink. “Rosie, Anderson Adventures is already very successful.”
Rose swept a dismissive hand. “Imagine how much more successful they’ll be with you on their team.” She tilted her head. “Are you blushing?”
“I think she is.” Tyler chuckled. He reached across the table and covered Iris’s hand with his own. “You’ve given us the best product launch we’ve ever had. And you’ve helped us establish processes that will continue to grow our customer base.”
Rose lowered her eyes to Iris and Tyler’s joined hands. The genuine caring and affection in that gesture filled Rose with joy for her sister—as well as envy. She looked up, and her eyes were caught by Donovan’s bright, hazel gaze.
She cleared her throat. “So what’s next for Anderson Adventures?”
“We’re
