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jammed into one.
    He could hear Claire answer the phone and talk, obviously still getting ready as he heard the hanger clank against the door, the sound of plastic tearing, and inevitably his thoughts led to Claire without her clothes on. He was a pig. Really, the woman was pregnant, for crying out loud, and he was picturing her naked.
    He pushed away from the counter and stood at attention, trying not to look guilty as she walked out. But guilt didn’t stop him from taking in the picture she made as she emerged in a crisp navy suit that fit her like a glove…a glove he would have given a million dollars to be. Under the suit jacket was a clingy pink camisole that hinted at awesome cleavage, but was buttoned modestly. She had let her shiny hair out of the ponytail, and it fell in waves over her shoulders. She had applied makeup too. Claire was a woman who turned heads.
    “Let’s go,” she said, avoiding eye contact as she walked passed him, her high heels echoing on the ceramic tile floor. He caught a whiff of that trademark Claire scent as she walked by him. He was becoming addicted.
    After she locked up they walked across the empty parking lot to her pearl-colored Volvo SUV.
    She drove a Volvo and he drove a Harley. That about summed up all their differences right there.
    “Thanks for your help,” Claire said, climbing onto the gray leather seat. He held the door open, his left hand bracing the rim of the door.
    Jake watched as she shut her eyes and took a deep breath.
    “No problem. My pleasure. You’ve got quite the business going. I had no idea.”
    She smiled but didn’t turn to look at him. “Thanks. I got lucky, I guess. I opened when the area didn’t have any high-end floral boutiques for weddings. It’s a niche market, and timing was everything. The business boomed before it had a chance to sink.”
    Claire was modest. He was finding out so much about her, and the more he found out, the more…he was attracted to her. “Well, I’m sure it was more than luck.”
    She placed her key in the ignition but didn’t start the car. He knew she had to go.
    He leaned against the car, his hand gripping the open window ledge. “So what’s your favorite place to eat?”
    She gave him a sidelong glance. For a second it looked like she was going to argue again. “I could go for some Greek food.”
    “Really? I love Greek.”
    She looked uncomfortable about that. “Jake, are you sure—”
    “I’ll pick you up at seven, Claire.” He closed the door gently on her imminent rebuttal.
    He waved as she pulled out of the parking space.
    He had to make Claire happy.
    He had to prove her father right.
    And he had to prove his father wrong.

Chapter Four
    “Thanks for meeting with me on a Saturday, William. I will get these papers to my lawyer on Monday and we’ll see how quickly we can get this settled,” Jake said, bracing his hands on the armrest and getting ready to stand. But the elderly man waved his hand, motioning him to remain seated. Jake sat back in the well-worn chair, the leather crinkling as he stretched his legs out in front of him. He liked William. He couldn’t see how the man could get along with Eunice Jacobs, but then again that wasn’t his business. And who was he to judge? He was sure everyone would be commenting on why Claire Holbrook would ever hook up with him.
    William Walters had run a fine construction company but was now approaching retirement. When Jake had first heard that William was stepping down, his interest was piqued. His loyalty to Quinn had prevented him from really pursuing the idea. But after Quinn’s wedding, and the sudden urge for change that had gripped him, he placed a late-night phone call to William and told him he was ready to talk.
    “Jake, I’ve known your family for years,” he said, his gravelly voice still strong despite him being in his mid-eighties. “And your father was a good man.”
    His parents had been well known and liked in the community. They