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moment.”
    â€œOh, he would have,” she assured him.
    â€œMy brother, Jake, calls me Jeremiah every chance he gets.”
    Tasha got up from her desk, driving everything from his mind but desire. For her. If she had any idea what a black pencil skirt, heels and form-fitting dress shirt did to a man, especially this one, she’d go running from the room.
    But her sunny disposition was back and he needed to pay attention to what she was saying. She walked over to him, her eyes dancing with laughter. “So what’s your full name, then?”
    Now her perfume was driving him wild. C.J. looked at the beautiful woman within touching distance. “Letme take you out to dinner and I’ll give it to you in pieces throughout the evening.”
    â€œWhy would we have to go to dinner? I don’t understand.”
    â€œBecause I want to know what happened to you this week. Are you living at your parents’? Why do you have a new cell phone number? I’m curious.”
    Tasha bit her lip. “Since when did you start to have all these concerns about me?”
    He thought her voice faltered. “Since the first time I met you,” he replied.
    He loved watching her facial expressions. In seconds she went from fragile little girl to the bulldog she was reported to be in the courtroom. “What are you talking about?”
    â€œI’m telling you that the first time I met you, I thought you were an amazing woman. Except you were always Tim’s girl. Everyone knew that. I’ve never seen a woman love a man the way you loved Tim. Since I knew I’d never get your interest, I put you out of my mind. But I’m a man who has come here today to ask you out on a date.”
    Â 
    T ASHA THOUGHT SHE WAS going to crumble. He’d been attracted to her that long ago? It had been just over a year since Tim had passed away. Would it be wrong to see if she and C.J. had a chance now?
    â€œOkay. But I can’t go tonight. I’m having dinner with my staff.”
    â€œCan I come to the dinner with you?”
    â€œWhy do you want to come?” She was taken aback.
    â€œI want to be with you. I’ll just tag along. Would youhave a problem introducing me as a guy you’re going out with tonight?”
    Heat flooded Tasha’s cheeks. “I think I could do that.”
    He moved away and stopped in front of her diplomas hanging on the wall. “Tasha, you’re quite the accomplished woman. Summa cum laude, valedictorian from the University of California Berkeley, and a top graduate from Stanford Law School. You are one smart cookie. How come you never told anybody?”
    â€œI told Tim. Didn’t he tell?”
    â€œNo.” C.J. grinned. “Had I known, I would have been even more amazed and intimidated by you.”
    â€œThank you.” The compliment thrilled and unsettled her. “Ready to eat?” She couldn’t believe she was about to go on a date with C.J. Well, kind of a group date. But still…
    He grasped her hand before they walked out the door.

Chapter Four
    As the group walked to Union Square, Tasha still had trouble believing that C.J. had sought her out. Every woman in the crowded Bejeweled Indian Restaurant stared at the hottie holding her hand. He made a stunning figure in his black bomber jacket and slacks.
    She felt giddy for the first time in ages. The Mendez case had so completely taken over her life. She let out a little sigh and smiled, thinking C.J. had to be the dreamiest date a woman could have. And her fears about the fire at the condo being arson had been put to rest this morning.
    Fortunately, Richard, with his usual foresight, had called ahead to reserve a table. He was always happy to accommodate on every level. He was an excellent attorney who excelled at research and kept up with new interpretations of law and code, which made her life as a litigator so much easier.
    As the four of them sat on plush chairs in