Her Best Defense. Jackie/Lori Merritt/Myles

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      The rest of Lisa’s day was much calmer than the beginning. She filled it with paperwork from her previous case and a little research of her own on her new one. Lunch with Pamela took up an hour and a half and then several phone calls later, she was finally out the door to meet Grant.

      Over lunch, she and Pamela had discussed the evening ahead. She had tried in several ways to argue that it really wasn’t a date, but in the end had to admit that it probably was, although Pamela should not think of it as a romantic date. It was funny, but until Grant Gowan had actually asked her to attend Faith’s birthday party with him, she had never considered him as anything but another lawyer.

      Grant was attractive and Lisa had heard his name mentioned more than once during a gab session between the single women in the office. He was, after all, an eligible bachelor, a successful attorney and, supposedly, from a good home and background. All the makings of Mr. Right. But to her, he’d always just been a colleague of sorts and as she rode the elevator down to the first floor, she couldn’t help but wonder why she’d never been drawn to him, as so many of the other women in the building were.

      Oh, well, maybe by the end of the evening I’ll have my answer.

      True to his word, Grant was waiting in a booth near the front doors of The Pub when Lisa entered. He was alone and drinking a beer. “Would you like something before we go?” he offered. “We have a few minutes, unless you want to be the first to arrive at the party.”

      “A beer would be good,” she said, sliding into the booth opposite him. What was it about arriving somewhere first that had such a stigma attached to it? Someone always had to be first, so why didn’t anyone want it to be him?

      Lisa watched Grant go to the bar for her drink. He wasn’t particularly tall but he was tall enough for her, and his body was lean and fit. Of course, it could just be the suits he wore that made him look so good. Nothing off the rack for Grant Gowan, Lisa was sure of that. His clothes looked as if they were made for him.

      “Here you go,” he said, placing a cold glass of beer in front of her.

      “Thank you.”

      “Thank you for coming tonight,” he replied, resuming his seat. “I wasn’t sure you would.”

      “Why is that?”

      Grant shrugged. “I don’t know. You always seem a little distant, I guess. I was beginning to wonder if I smelled bad or something.” He made his last statement with a chuckle.

      “Why? Because I don’t throw myself at you like some of the other women in the building do?”

      A boyish grin crossed Grant’s lips. “Well….”

      He understood exactly what she was talking about, Lisa knew. He was a hot commodity in the singles scene, a role he was obviously enjoying. And it was a role that was putting Lisa off. Perhaps she already had her answer about why she wasn’t all that attracted to him.

      “Maybe we’d better get going,” she said as she stood up and straightened her skirt.

      Grant stood as well. “I think we still have a little time. We don’t need to rush.”

      “I really don’t want to be out too late, Grant. I have a new case and I’d like to get into the office early tomorrow.” Besides being the truth, it was as good a reason as any to cut the evening short, she figured.

      “Oh, all right, then.”

      They left The Pub and went around the corner of the building to the parking garage. “I’m on the second floor,” Grant told her as he steered her to the elevators.

      When they reached his floor and then his car, Grant opened her door first and then went around to the driver’s side and slid in behind the wheel. His car was as elegant and expensive as his suits. Lisa took note of the plush leather she was now seated on, as well as the dark mahogany trim. She also noticed the hood ornament—a leaping jaguar. Grant Gowan reeked of money, old and new.

      “Nice car,” she said.

      “Thanks,” he said proudly.

      The party was just getting under way when they arrived. Lisa recognized several other attorneys in attendance as she and Grant passed through each room of the apartment that had been opened up for the occasion. There was food—mostly yummy little bits of finger food—set up in the dining room and drinks in the kitchen. To get to either, one had to pass through the living room where Lisa saw two junior partners from her own firm. She nodded at them and received friendly smiles in return.

      “Grant!” Lisa heard some woman exclaim from across the room. “Where have you been keeping yourself?”

      Lisa watched as a flashy blonde approached. The curvaceous woman had a martini in one hand and a cigarette in the other. She stopped about a foot away from Grant and bent forward, kissing the air on either side of his cheeks. It was a scene right out of the movies.

      “Oh brother,” Lisa said under her breath.

      “Hello, Deidra,” Grant said to the woman. “How have you been?”

      “Fabulous, as always. And who is this gorgeous creature by your side tonight?”

      “Deidra Upton, Lisa Jensen.”

      Lisa politely said hello, as did Deidra while snuffing her cigarette in a nearby ashtray. “At least now I know why you haven’t called lately, you naughty boy,” Deidra said. She flirtatiously flipped the lapel on Grant’s jacket and walked off to gaily greet someone else.

      Grant was quick to explain that he and Deidra were just good friends. “Can I get you something to drink?” he asked.

      “Not just yet.”

      “How about something to eat?”

      “I think I’d just like to find Faith and wish her a happy birthday right now,” Lisa said.

      “You aren’t ready to go yet, are you?” Grant asked.

      Lisa was ready to go, but she shook her head for Grant’s sake. She had always liked Faith Unser, but the rest of the crowd gave off an aura of pretense that Lisa didn’t much care for. Were these the people Grant regularly socialized with?

      Lisa put up with the party for an hour before she told Grant she was tired and had to leave. “But you stay, Grant. I’ll take a cab.”

      “Like hell you will! I’ll drive you home.”

      “You certainly don’t have to leave on my account,” she said. “I’m perfectly capable of getting home on my own.”

      “I have no doubt of that, but you came with me so I’d appreciate your leaving with me. I’ll drive you home. No debate, please.”

      Within a few minutes, they were outside and walking down the street to where he had parked his car.

      “You didn’t have a good time tonight,” Grant said.

      “That just isn’t my crowd,” she said with a sidelong glance at him to see his reaction. “I’m sorry, but СКАЧАТЬ