Read Online Let's Make It Legal by Patricia Kay - Free Book Online

think marriage and being the kind of lawyer I am mix very well.”
    John nodded thoughtfully. “It takes time and work to make marriage successful.”
    “And I barely have enough time now.” For some perverse reason, she wished he’d disagree with her.
    “You’re wise to know yourself so well.” He smiled. “Of course, your mother may never accept that. Mothers want grandchildren.”
    “My mother already has six grandchildren with another on the way. She doesn’t need any from me.” Sydney hated feeling the bitterness that talking about her mother’s expectations always produced.
    “So you’ve got siblings...”
    “Yes. I’m the youngest of four girls. My sisters are very traditional, not like me at all. Sometimes I wonder if...”
    “Wonder if what?” John prompted.
    “I don’t know. My father always wanted a boy, and when I was born, he finally realized he wasn’t going to get one, so he named me after himself and raised me like the son he never had.” Sydney drew circles in the condensation on her glass. “And I, well, I’ve always wondered if I would have turned out the same way if I’d been treated like my sisters, or if the way I am is my natural state.”
    “And how are you?” John said quietly.
    “Driven. A workaholic. Not... feminine.”
    “What!” He made a sound of disbelief. “That’s ridiculous. Driven, yes. A workaholic, probably. But
unfeminine?
No way.”
    Something hot and sweet twisted through Sydney at the warm glow in John’s eyes, the unmistakable gleam of admiration and sincerity she saw and felt. She knew her cheeks had flushed and was grateful for the subdued lighting in the restaurant.
    What was it about John Appleton that had caused her to tell him things she never admitted to anyone? She hoped John didn’t think she’d been fishing for a compliment, because that had been the farthest thing from her mind when she’d said what she’d said. In fact, she couldn’t imagine what had even possessed her to admit that she felt unfeminine. Had always felt unfeminine.
    “Why on earth would you think you’re not feminine?” John said.
    Sydney waited until their waiter, who had approached with their plates, served them. She chose her words carefully. “I’m too tall, for one thing.”
    “I happen to like tall women.”
    Sydney shrugged. “Most men seem to be intimidated by tall women.”
    “You don’t hang around with the right men.” John took a forkful of his Chile Relleno and ate it. “Okay, so you’re tall. What else?”
    Sydney ate some of her enchiladas before answering. “I don’t know how to talk to men.”
    John laughed out loud. “Seems to me you’re doing just fine.”
    “I feel comfortable with you,” Sydney blurted out, then wished she could take the words back. What if he thought she was flirting with him?
Well, would that be so bad?
    “Good.” His eyes were warm as they met her gaze. “I feel comfortable with you, too.”
    Shyness attacked Sydney, and she had to look away. She ate some rice and beans, then more of her enchilada. When she looked up again, John’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Stop laughing at me.”
    “I’m not laughing at you,” he said softly. “I’m just wondering how someone as obviously intelligent as you are can possibly think of yourself as unfeminine. Don’t you ever look in the mirror?”
    Sydney blushed. Once again, she was thankful for the dim lighting. “I look in the mirror all the time. That’s the problem.” Besides, she didn’t need to look in the mirror. Men’s reactions to her told a much more accurate story.
    “You must be blind, then, because you’re a beautiful woman.” He hesitated for a moment. “With, may I add, gorgeous legs.”
    “Could we please talk about something else?” Sydney said, completely embarrassed by the turn the conversation had taken. It was sweet of John to try to make her feel good about herself, but enough was enough. She wasn’t beautiful, not by a long shot,