Tate looked forward to Saturdays, but not the evenings. She avoided as many invitations as possible, but her mother forced her to attend certain events. The burden fell to her since Amelia was happy when Baxter and Ivy stayed home. Chin up, she'd suffer for her brother. Occasionally, Doyle or Kasper joined her which made the evenings somewhat bearable.

Bearable until Jimmy started seeing a pretty blonde. She wondered if he used the excuse he was seeing her as part of a deal. It was infuriating because he would laugh with his date and then lift his glass to Tate. What kind of game was he playing? She almost let all her frustrations out on Tom as she sat next to Rose at lunch, but he and Jimmy had been working closely.

"... Sinclair?"

She looked up. "What? I'm sorry. I was distracted."

"I'll help you with your problem if you help me with mine."

"I'm trying to stay home tonight."

He smiled. "If I can get a babysitter."

"No. You only have weekends with Rose."

"Jimmy wants to change that."

She narrowed her eyes. "Your time with Rose." The little girl looked up from her coloring at the sound of her name.

"My schedule. He wants me to work for him. It's a lucrative offer with a promise of fewer hours."

She nodded. "I leave at five most days if I want to." She didn't, because her apartment felt empty.

"Would you ever leave your family business?"

"No." As a child she had wanted to work with her father.

"When my aunt and uncle took me in, I was grateful for the security. My mother showed up occasionally, but she never recovered from my father's death. I was so indebted to them. Becoming a lawyer to work with Uncle Tom was my way of paying him back. Most associates work hard to advance. I do it to pay for the life I received."

"I can understand, but if you could have more time with..." She pointed her head towards Rose. "... or even have a life, wouldn't your uncle be happy?"

"I don't know. A life would be nice. Would you date me?"

She laughed. "No, we make good friends."

"Was your preoccupation about the guy who broke your heart?"

"My ex didn't break my heart." Duncan was her scapegoat.

"If you don't want me, I may ask someone else out."

"Who is she?"

"Just someone."

"You're being secretive or you're playing games."

He smiled. "Maybe I am. Maybe I'm not."

She rolled her eyes. "As for your problem, talk to your uncle. Tell him how you feel. He might surprise you."

"It's more because I would take business from the firm."

"It's an honor Jimmy respects you."

"What about you? That first night I thought, maybe? Did you ever date him?"

"Date? No. We want different things."

He laughed. "I'm not sure I see him at home as a family man."

Tate bit her lip. Jimmy was a homebody and family focused, but not wife and kids family. "Do you really have a babysitter?"

"Sometimes her m-o-m is home. She doesn't mind having her back for the night."

"Does her husband like her?"

Tom frowned. "It's a blessing and a curse."

Tate wondered how it felt to have another man step in with his daughter. Maybe worse than Jimmy with another woman.

"You're frowning again."

"It's a little sad."

He shrugged. "We have fun when we're together. Right, Rosie?"

She looked at her dad like he hung the moon. "Can we go to story time?"

"Later. The local bookstore has a story hour. I always end up buying the book."

He spoiled his daughter with books. Meanwhile, she overheard Jimmy say he wanted to buy his cousin's daughter a pony. Rose talked about her books while Tom tapped on his phone. He frowned.

"Bad news?"

"No, she said it was fine. Then she reminded me Rose likes you. I didn't tell her you don't like me."

Tate frowned. "I'm sorry. If you would rather not spend time together?"

"No. We both like to include you."

Tate smiled. She enjoyed her time with father and daughter too. "Okay. The car will pick you up at seven. Does that sound okay?"

"Perfect."

Tate wore the gold gown she had worn to her mother's summer party over a year before. She felt more optimistic with Tom by her side. He was a handsome man and a better friend, if only she could have a redo with the cross.

When he stepped out of his building, she smiled. "I like your tuxedo."

He winked. "This old thing?"

She had a keen eye for the latest designs. With evening wear it was as minor as the width or angle of the lapel. His was recent. "It's not old."

"No. When I received the invitation to Bates, my aunt insisted I needed a tuxedo."

"But you wore a suit."

He smiled. "You remembered. My uncle told me to wear a suit. No one respects Bates."

She frowned. "I don't. How's Priscilla?"

"I've been avoiding her floor. I met your brother's friend in the elevator."

"Ivy? When?"

"Last week."

"She didn't mention it, but she's busy with wedding planning on top of billing hours."

"I'm just busy billing hours."

"And Rose." He nodded. "What are you working on?"

"Can't say."

"If it's Jimmy, it is probably a revenge acquisition."

"I really couldn't say."

"Last I knew he was after Bates and my ex and his cousin's ex."

"You know I can't confirm or deny."

"I tried." Tate almost said Jimmy would tell her. "I'll tell my mother we're just friends but she might think we're dating and give you the third degree."

"Fine with me."

"The third degree?"

"Well yes, but the dating part."

Tate shook her head. Maybe she was wrong. She enjoyed spending time with him. He checked the right boxes. Her father had said love of a companion. Could Tom be that love for her? She liked him more than Duncan.

Tom frowned. "I wish the prospect didn't make you sad."

She smiled. "I'm not sad. Maybe you'll change my mind. We're here."

They entered the ballroom together with Tate on his arm like a couple. She pointed to her father sitting at their table. As they approached, Philp stood.

"Hi, Daddy. This is Thomas Olson."

Tom stuck out his hand. "It's Tom. Nice to meet you, sir."

"Tom. I wish I could say my daughter mentioned you."

"Daddy!"

"It's okay, sir. I invited myself today. Tate was kind enough to say yes."

Philip nodded. "Mother is around. I'm waiting for the others."

"Should we get drinks?" She pointed towards the bar.

"Sounds good. Who are all these people?"

"People who like to support the cause. Tonight is for the youth programs around the city."

"You know if not for my uncle and aunt, I might have needed some of those programs."

"But you didn't. You got an excellent education. Where did you go?"

"BC High and Boston University."

"I left Boston for Smith and then came back for Suffolk Law."

"Smith is all girls?"

She nodded. "It was good for me, at the time."

"See, we keep learning new things. It's like dating."

She pushed his shoulder and laughed. "We can dance."

"I heard that promise before."

"You are a tease." Smiling felt good. It pushed the past away. It lasted until they turned away from the bar to see Jimmy and his blond date waiting.

Tom stepped towards them. "Jimmy. Romy, how are you settled in?"

She nodded. "I love my job."

Jimmy smiled. "Romy Bouchard, this is Tate Kane."

Romy smiled at Jimmy. "Your best friend's sister. It's a pleasure."

Tate smiled and nodded, but couldn't find any polite words. Jimmy smirked, so she glared at him.

Clearing his throat, Jimmy straightened his face. "Are you two together tonight?"

"I invited myself to be Tate's date at lunch today."

"Well, enjoy. We need to." Jimmy pointed to the bar.

Tom whispered. "Are they here?"

Jimmy smiled. "We'll see."

"What was that about?"

"Sorry, Tate. Business."

"And is Romy involved in this business?"

"She is Jimmy's new financial associate."

"What does she do?"

"She's Jimmy's right hand with financial matters."

"I would think he has an entire department."

"I don't know about that. Romy reviews potential deals."

"Where did he find her?"

Tom laughed. "Would you believe at a café in Paris?"

"No. I don't believe Jimmy would take the time to relax at a café in any city."

"I assumed you and Jimmy were friends. Now I'm not so sure."

"We are. I'm not keen on his business practices. Look there's Priscilla. Who is she with?"

"I'm not sure. He looks at least forty. He could be with the firm. I don't know everyone."

"But you met Ivy."

"Only because I recognized her from online."

Tate looked at him. "I didn't take you as a gossip hound."

"I'm not, but I might have googled you."

"Seriously, ask me anything. Don't rely on lies."

"It wasn't like that. After I realized who you were, I want to see you in something other than a gi."

"Hey, I look good with my hair in a ponytail and barefoot."

"In pajamas."

She shook her head. "My pjs are more comfy than cotton."

They returned to the table to find Amelia speaking with Mrs. Kerr. She was a sweet woman whose husband developed and owned retail establishments.

"Here's Tate. You look beautiful. Doesn't she, Amelia?" Mrs. Kerr smiled. "New beau?"

"This is my friend, Tom Olson. My mother and Mrs. Kerr. Who else is at the table?"

"Your brother and sister, but I doubt they'll bother to show up."

"What about Baxter? I'm excited for the wedding. She'll be a beautiful bride. I saw the article in Beantown Magazine, on their home. It's beautiful. And she's a lawyer?"

"She works at the same firm as Tom."

"Is that how you met?"

They both laughed. "No. Tom's daughter takes one of my karate classes."

"How old is she?" Mrs. Kerr alway asked questions.

Tom's smile warmed Tate's insides. "She's five."

Mrs. Kerr smiled. "Your mother is lucky to be a grandmother." Tom nodded with a down turned mouth. "Amelia, your turn will come soon enough."

Philip returned with Jimmy and his date behind him. "I found these two all alone."

Jimmy put his hands up. "Guilty. I was too busy to line up guests."

"Join us." Amelia smiled.

Tate tuned out Jimmy introducing Romy. Tom leaned into her ear. "You're quiet again. I'm a good listener."

Tate squeezed his hand, and he continued to hold it with his warm hand.

During the salad course, Mrs. Kerr turned her attention to Tate. "Tate, dear. You aren't wearing the gorgeous cross you always wore."

She stared at her father begging for help. "Baxter has it."

"No, he returned it to me. You know about the lore?"

Mrs. Kerr shook her head, and Philip ignored Tate's silent pleas as he told the famous story.

Tom turned to her. "You wore it."

Philip relied. "Since her sixteenth birthday."

Mrs. Kerr said, "So if it's true. You are in love with someone you kissed at sixteen or seventeen."

She tried to hide her warm cheeks. Everyone looked at her. She was afraid to look at Jimmy, as he said, "At least, she didn't kiss the clown she almost married."

"Could we talk about something else?"

Jimmy said, "Let's. How's Baxter's project coming along? I've been too busy to ask him."

Tate sighed as Tom leaned in. "Don't worry. It's not real."

She forced a smile as Jimmy caught her eye. If only.

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