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Lauren swallows, then nods. She looks a bit nervous, but more resolute. And damn sexy, despite her professional navy blue suit and upswept hair.

“Martin is going to give you a hard time,” I whisper. “Watch him. Don’t lose your temper. Stay logical. You can win him over with cold, hard facts. You’re smarter than him.”

At my words, she zips a startled gaze to me. A moment of vulnerability crosses her face, and I want to take her in my arms so badly. Tim was my buddy, but he was a prick where his ex-wife was concerned. The ass-wipe did a number on her self-esteem.

Since everyone else in the room seems engrossed in their own conversations, I continue softly, “I know Tim didn’t treat you with the respect your intelligence deserves⁠—”

“Tim treated me like a cross between Airhead Barbie and the invisible woman. He couldn’t have cared less about my abilities beyond cooking and housekeeping.”

“Tim can be an utter moron.”

“Thank you. On that, we’re agreed.”

“I’ll help you today as much as I can. It’s a good idea and an excellent plan. You know I’m on your side.”

Her big brown eyes soften. “Thanks again. I know you’ve neglected your own projects to help me with this one. I appreciate you taking the time.”

I shoot her a direct stare. A heated one. Can she see? Does she understand?

Lauren’s gaze clings to me from beneath thick lashes before skittering away.

“Sugar,” I whisper.

She looks my way again, her gaze uncertain, almost questioning.

“I’ll always make time for you.”

I know time—and Tim’s amount of it away from Lauren and home—was the centerpiece of their divorce. After the split, Tim showed up at my place, shitfaced, and spilled his guts. Finally sensing my chance with Lauren after all these years, I didn’t stop Tim’s verbal regurgitation of their marital problems. Even Tim admitted he did everything he could to climb the corporate ladder and volunteered to travel whenever the subject came up. He had nothing against Lauren or marriage…but he didn’t want either. Neither of them cheated or lied. Tim just acted as if Lauren and their daughters didn’t exist.

The guard in Lauren’s gaze drops, and suddenly I see her pain and…am I actually seeing longing?

“Hey, you two whispering the secrets of the universe, or are you going to start this meeting?” Gus Martin, one of my partners, grouses. “I’ve got a million things to do this morning.”

The jackass hasn’t even finished speaking before Lauren’s face closes up. She jerks away and begins straightening papers again. I resist the urge to march across the room, grab Martin by the throat, and pound his head into the wall.

She stares right at her nemesis, giving him a cool, take-no-prisoners glare. I’m so proud of her moxie and smarts, I nearly burst with it.

Then Lauren cues up the first slide. “I’m ready, Mr. Martin.”

Chapter Five

Lauren

* * *

“I think we did it!” I shriek the minute we enter Noah’s office and he closes the door behind us.

“You did it,” he corrects. “And I think you’re right. The decision will come quickly and be favorable because you were fantastic and you kept your cool. You had all the right information. You gave Martin logical arguments. You shut him down when he tried to run you over. Everyone was impressed.” He smiles.

I bask in the glow. His eyes are a cool blue, but that grin of approval makes his whole expression so toasty, I could roast marshmallows. “I would never have succeeded without you. You’re the one who made me ruthlessly prepare.”

He steps closer. “I just helped you make sure you’d thought of crap that would occur to Martin. I know how his mind works.”

“Yes, you do.” I clap. “How soon do you think we’ll hear?”

“This afternoon,” he assures. “There are only four other voting members. Obviously, I already put in my two cents. Dave Danson is behind the project. I shot hoops with him yesterday.”

“Wow, that was above and beyond. You really do plan ahead and think of everything.”