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

night.
    He kept picturing her as she’d looked sitting across the table from him. Her hair swinging softly around her face, shining honey gold in the candlelight. Her eyes, dark blue and intense, as they watched him. Her slender fingers wrapped around the stem of her glass. The vulnerable sweep of her jaw. Her soft mouth-just a little too wide, but appealing, nevertheless.
    Where had she ever gotten the idea she wasn’t feminine? From her mother?
    John had known Sydney was trying to hide her femininity, but he’d thought the reason had something to do with her profession. He’d figured Sydney thought she had to look tough to succeed. But she really
believed
she wasn’t attractive.
    The woman was beautiful, in his opinion. True, she might not be everyone’s type. She certainly wasn’t fragile and clinging, and she didn’t bat her eyes and act helpless, like some women. But John had never been attracted to women like that, anyway.
    No, he liked women who were smart and strong, witty and confident. A match for him. A challenge for him.
    Sydney was all of that... and more.
    But Monday night had only reinforced John’s decision that, just as he’d suspected, it would be foolhardy to entertain any idea of an involvement with Sydney. The two of them were on completely different courses in life.
    Sydney had as much as admitted she wasn’t interested in marriage and children. Sure, she’d
said
if the right man came along she might be, but she hadn’t fooled John. She was obviously consumed by her career, just as driven and competitive as he had once been. And that was not the kind of life John intended to ever lead again—no matter how much he might miss the stimulation of his law practice. His kids deserved more than that. And he would give them more than that.
    It was a shame, though, he reflected with regret. He had enjoyed himself Monday night. He had forgotten how satisfying good conversation and good food and the company of an attractive woman could be.
    Sydney had reminded him of all that, of how much he was missing, of how much he had lost.
    It was actually kind of funny. All of Janet’s and Mike’s and his mother’s reminders and lectures hadn’t been able to do what one evening in Sydney’s company had accomplished.
    John smiled, remembering how Janet had acted when he had arrived home after saying good-night to Sydney and seeing her off in her car.
    “Well?” she’d said with undisguised curiosity as he entered the house. “How was it?”
    “Nice.”
    “Nice?” She looked skeptical.
    “Yes, nice. I enjoyed myself. She’s an interesting woman.”
    Janet made a face. “Oh, she’s interesting, all right.”
    John didn’t like her tone of voice. “Why do you say it that way?”
    Janet shrugged. “I don’t know.” Her hazel eyes met his. “Yes, I do know. I don’t like that woman, John.”
    “You don’t even know her.”
    “I know that she acts as if she’s better than other people.”
    He frowned. “No, she doesn’t.”
    “Why are you defending her?”
    “Because you’re not being fair to her. You’ve seen her exactly once, and you’ve already formed an opinion. That isn’t like you, Jan.”
    Janet’s eyes widened. “Why,
you’re attracted
to her, aren’t you? I can’t believe it.”
    John rarely got angry with Janet. Being twins, the two of them were generally on the same wavelength, plus Janet was a non-combative person with a sunny disposition. Yet now he could almost feel his blood pressure going up. “Just what is it you can’t believe, Jan? Is it so hard to believe that I might be interested in a woman? Hell, you’re the one who’s been so hot to get me to start dating again.”
    “Yes, but, my God, John, not with someone like Sydney Wells.”
    “There’s not a thing wrong with Sydney Wells. She’s attractive, intelligent and good company. And you’re right. I
am
attracted to her, and not just a little bit, either.”
    Janet looked stunned.
    John’s anger