At the Drop of a Hat

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Authors: Jenn McKinlay
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moment looking amused—which was even more annoying.
    â€œI had no idea you were here until Ariana just told me,” he said. “Now would you care to join us or did you want to stay out here alone, stewing about everything?”
    I lifted my coffee cup to my lips and studied him over the rim. The steam off the hot liquid felt good against my skin. I took a long sip before lowering the cup.
    â€œI’ll come,” I said.
    He pushed the door open for me and I strode past him into the office area. Desks were set all around the room, usually two together so that the people faced each other. Several offices lined the wall and it was one of these that Harrison led me toward.
    The two men Harrison had arrived with were already in the room with Ariana. I didn’t see either of the inspectors as Harrison pushed the door open and we joined the group.
    â€œOh, Scarlett, you’re still here,” Ariana said as she rose from her seat. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea that this was going to take so much time.”
    â€œIt’s no problem,” I said. I did not mention my cranky talk with Viv.
    â€œMy fiancé got my message, and came straightaway with friends,” she said. “Scarlett Parker, this is my intended, Stephen Whitcomb, and his friend Alistair Turner. And, of course, you know Harrison.”
    I shook Stephen’s hand. It was a firm shake, dry and cool and perfectly appropriate. He glanced at me briefly, but his gaze stayed on Ariana and it was clear that he was worried about her. He was dressed casually in khakis and a pullover polo shirt. His straw-colored hair looked slightly mussed and he had a ruddy tinge to his cheeks as if the cold air outside had given him a good cheek pinch from a favorite aunt.
    He took Ariana’s hand and kept it in his, offering her steadfast support without being suffocating about it. I liked that.
    I turned to Alistair to shake hands as well but he rejected that and instead brought my hand to his lips, where he kissed the back of it. Oh, wow. Not many men could pull that off nowadays and still come across as manly, and boy howdy, did he ever.
    He was in a suit like Harrison’s but his was black. He wore a pewter shirt underneath with a thin black tie. His dark hair was chin length in a side-parted blunt cut, giving him a roguish look that was only enhanced by his wicked smile.
    â€œIt’s a pleasure, Scarlett,” he said.
    â€œI’ll say,” I said as I stared back at him.
    â€œYour charm is wasted on her, mate,” Harrison said to Alistair. “She’s taken a vow of . . . er . . . not dating anyone for a year.”
    â€œTragic!” Alistair exclaimed. He turned to Harrison. “Is that your fault?”
    â€œMy fault?” Harrison frowned at his friend. “How could it be my fault?”
    â€œDid you break her heart?” Alistair demanded.
    â€œNo!” Harrison and I answered together.
    You’d think this would cause us to have a moment of accord, but no. Harrison glared at me, obviously put out that I was so quick to answer in the negative.
    â€œIt’s a long story,” I said.
    â€œExcellent,” Alistair said. “We’ll have to go out for pints so you can give me every sordid detail. Glad it’s not your fault, Wentworth. I’d hate to have to mess up that pretty face of yours with a thrashing.”
    â€œAs if you could,” Harrison scoffed.
    â€œExcuse me,” Stephen said. “Not to take away from your manly crowing, but we have a situation here that needs tending, yes?”
    â€œQuite right,” Alistair said. He looked at Ariana and said, “Let me see what I can find out from the inspectors. I’ll be right back.”
    He left our small room and walked out into the maze of desks. He seemed quite at home here and I gave Harrison a questioning glance.
    â€œHe’s a barrister,” he said. “What you in the

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