Joshua dialed Ann's direct line. She never answered her own phone during the day. So he waited until after three because client lunches ran long.

"Ann Fortier's office."

"Hi, it's Josh. Is she available?"

"I'll transfer you."

She had laughter in her voice. "Friday afternoon, I hope you aren't calling about business."

"All pleasure. How about getting some takeout and I'll pleasure you?"

She giggled. "Can't. An agent from London is in town and I have to babysit."

"Why you?" He pouted.

"Dwyer asked personally."

"Fine, but I never told you what Anita told me at brunch."

Her voice sounded higher. "What?"

"I envisioned telling you naked."

"Take off your clothes, but make sure your office door is locked."

He laughed, loving her humor. "Not what I had in mind. You'll have to wait until tomorrow night. You owe me. Remember, blue-haired women."

"And that's why I agreed to see your friends. I'd rather have you with takeout and you can imagine the rest."

"I can't wait."

"Good. My phone is ringing. Bye."

Friday night, he flipped on the TV and watched baseball. He looked forward to having Ann get to know his friends. The following night on the ride to Oliver's house, she complained about always staying over at Josh's apartment.

He put his hand on her thigh. "I wouldn't mind yours, but parking's impossible." He paid dearly for his parking spot.

"Fine. What did Anita say?"

He squeezed her thigh lightly. "You're not naked."

"Anita and my career have nothing to do with being nude."

"No, but it's beautiful." He wished he could see if she was blushing. "Okay, fine. She praised you and said she wants to mentor you."

"Seriously? That's amazing. But you kept it from me for almost a week."

"I tried to get you to have dinner with me all week."

"You know how busy I am on weeknights."

"Can't blame a guy for trying. I wanted to tell you in person. Preferably..."

"Naked. I remember." Her laughter spread through his body.

When he pulled his car into the circular drive, Ann's jaw dropped. The house looked inviting, with beautiful flower beds and a lush lawn. It was a far cry from when Oliver first bought it and lived alone with his cat and no furniture. He ushered Ann to the front door but didn't knock.

"Hello."

Emma came out of the kitchen with Daphne in her arms. "Oliver ran to the store. Here."

She thrusted the baby in his arms and walked back to the kitchen. Daphne looked up at him and smiled. Ann looked at him as if she had never seen him before.

Josh motioned. "Look around."

"It's beautiful."

He smiled. "It's all Emma. She's a fabulous designer."

"She should write books."

Josh laughed and Daphne reached for his nose. He kissed her hand.

"You don't do nonfiction books. Austin does." Oliver walked in. "Hey Duff, you work with Austin. Ann thinks Emma should write design books."

"Not sure, she'd be interested." He reached out his arms and Daphne reached for him. "She has her hands full. Come into the kitchen."

Josh loved all the Sumner kitchens. His was modern but small, which suited him since he cooked minimally.

Emma smiled. "Hi Ann. Sorry I didn't greet you."

The custom island was filled with various appetizers. Josh asked, "Have you been cooking all day?"

Emma waved her arm. "It was easy except for opening the oven with Daph under foot. Wine?"

"Red for both of us. Thanks."

Ann thanked Oliver when he handed her a glass. "Your house is really lovely."

Emma smiled and asked where Ann lived. When Ann replied, she asked about the iconic architecture.

"We're here!" Rex and Ashton arrived through the back door, each with a bottle. Aston kissed Emma's cheek while Rex went right to Daphne.

"Come see Uncle Rex, girlfriend."

Ashton greeted Josh, who said, "This is Ann." He avoided saying girlfriend. "Ashton and Rex."

Ann smiled politely, just before Rex yelled. "Pussy."

Ashton said, "It's fat Duff."

Josh laughed, and Oliver frowned. Ann sneezed. "I'm allergic to cats."

"We have two. Oliver put them in the basement."

Rex said, "Yeah, Duff, lock them up."

Josh leaned toward Ann. "We don't have to stay long."

Ashton said, "Next weekend is the cancer research ball. Moneybags Oliver bought a table. You're all invited."

Josh asked, "Who's babysitting?"

Oliver said, "My mother volunteered. Someday we'll sucker you."

Rex said, "You would have to be desperate."

Ann laughed. "It would be a disaster."

Josh pouted. "Not a disaster. Daphne and I get along."

Emma's old roommate, Brynn, arrived with a handsome man. Rex whistled like a construction worker. Brynn's guy yelled, "Shut up, Rex."

Josh said, "Brynn, I like him."

Ann sneezed. Oreo ran through. Josh looked at her red eyes. She really was allergic.

"We need to head off. Sorry. Go sit in the car. I'll just say goodbye."

He hugged Emma. Rex said, "That's a doomed relationship."

Ashton added, "Must love cats."

Josh wasn't ready to write Ann off. In the car, he turned to her. "Sorry. Any other allergies? I don't want to kill you."

"Just cats and they have two."

He nodded and pressed the ignition. "His and hers."

"Who is Duff?"

Josh laughed. "Duff is Oliver's nickname, but also Emma's cat."

A slow smile crossed her face. "There's a story there."

Josh nodded. "She named her cat after her crush. She never expected to marry him ten years later."

"I love a good romance."

Later, Josh rubbed circles on her bare back. They were very compatible alone in bed.

"Do you feel better?"

"Yes." She giggled.

"I doubt my magic fixes allergic reactions."

"Magic. Huh?"

"Mm-hmm." He mumbled as he began kissing his way up her back to her neck.

A week later, Josh was dressed in his tuxedo again. He half expected Ann to cancel on him, but she looked beautiful when he appeared at her door.

"Gorgeous. I feel like I should buy your gowns."

"I had these from other events."

"You look beautiful."

She smiled. "You look handsome."

He leaned in and brushed his lips behind her ear. "You're just saying that because you want my magic later."

She tilted her head back and laughed. He knew enough not to ruin her lips before the night started, but her elegant neck was an alternative. Unfortunately, she pulled back.

"You'll mess my hair, magic man."

He smiled and sat up straighter. With Ann, he didn't feel like a nerd. She saw the confident and apparently sexy lawyer.

"Fine, but I want to dance with you all night."

She moved closer and put her hand on his thigh. The woman just might kill him. He thought of his last interaction with Kendall before the car pulled up to the hotel. It worked, and he could walk, but more determined than ever to discuss her employment with his father. None of it mattered, as he took Ann's hand to help her out of the car.

He never minded evenings in his tuxedo, although he'd rather be at Oliver's in jeans. If only Ann wasn't allergic to cats. Oliver hadn't arrived, so after a trip to the bar, he followed Ann to say hello to one of her authors while sipping his scotch.

Ann never stopped working. "Let's go to brunch in the morning, since you're staying in town."

Josh frowned as the two made plans. Just once he'd like to have a leisure Sunday with the paper in bed followed by sex and more sex. Too much sex was on his mind as he scanned the room and stopped at the familiar red hair. Her tall, willowy figure wore a gown that left out the guesswork. She leaned in and laughed at something Sinclair said. Where was her husband?

He had an urge to make good on their date. Why couldn't two old school friends share a few drinks and maybe a meal. It wasn't too late. The last he heard, JJ hadn't ironed down a date. They were all scheduled to be in Newport the following weekend for Oliver's birthday. He had considered asking Ann to join him, but knew she'd never give up an entire weekend. If he didn't ask, he wouldn't hear her say no. He had a better chance of getting a yes from Shaun McManus for dinner than from Ann for a weekend.