Her Unexpected Affair. Shea McMaster

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      Drew winced. “Don’t ever say that. Don’t ever let it be a possibility she might overhear it. Besides, Pokémon is Japanese, not Chinese.”

      “She’s too pretty, too classy to be a Pokémon. What’s she do, again? Didn’t Jack say something about it?”

      Drew merged into traffic headed for the Caldecott tunnel, then glanced at her. “Is your memory so bad? Or were you too busy checking out the talent?”

      “It was loud. I didn’t catch even half of what anyone said.”

      “She’s an interior designer. I’d like to look up her business and see what she does. Mum might know more about her.”

      “Probably. Mom has an interest in all things Bay Area, and with her tea set collection, she’s very interested in Asian items.”

      True, Randi had an extensive, impressive, collection of tea pots and tea services from around the world. Nearly every country who revered tea was represented in some way. Dad teased her about it often. And since the family business had begun as tea importation nearly two centuries before, it all tied together.

      “Why take this route?” Birdie asked. “The other way is faster.”

      “This is prettier.”

      “Did you invite Jack to the party?”

      Surprised by the swift topic change, he took a moment to switch gears. “I did, but like us, he has a family who wants to celebrate their way. I’m sure we’ll bump into him sometime over the summer. He’ll be working from some relative’s law office in the lower peninsula area. I’m sure he’ll want to torture me with more bad Chinese phrases.”

      “What did you actually say to her last night? The look on her face was pretty funny.”

      “I’m not sure. Something to do with wanting something in her purse instead of a polite hello.”

      Birdie laughed again. Her good humor was definitely coming back.

      “Bet she loved that. What other phrases did Jack teach you?”

      “I have no idea, and I’m not about to try them on anyone until I know for sure. So what was with you snuggling up to him last night? Especially in that dress that fit like a rubber band.”

      Birdie shrugged. “I’d had a few to drink, and I was just having fun. Don’t worry, I won’t fall for him. I know what he is, and he doesn’t fit in my plan.”

      “Ah, the plan. Still set on the London office?”

      “Absolutely. I have one more full year to go, even if I start my thesis work this summer. Have to add some international business courses. Then Dad won’t be able to put me off any longer.”

      Drew snorted. “Who knew I’d have to compete with you for the ultimate job when he’s ready to retire.”

      “Which won’t be soon, will it? I mean, he could at almost any time, now that he has Mom back in his life. Of course, they want more time off, but there’s such a thing as retiring too early, isn’t there?” A small pinch creased between her eyes. “I know I’m not prepared to step up now. Neither are you.”

      “No, we both have some years to put in first. I’ve got at least two, maybe three years to spend in the Far East office. Besides, if we fail, there’s always Oswald to step in. But again, not for some time to come. Even if Dad does retire early, he’ll wait at least ten years. Maybe fifteen. Long way to go.”

      Other than a snort at the mention of Larry Attenborough’s nephew, a rising exec in the Lynford London office, Birdie ignored the implication there was a third in line for the top job. “You looking forward to China? I can’t believe you’ll be there in only six or seven weeks.”

      He had been. Yeah, he still was. But meeting Meilin last night had cast a shadow on his long-term plan. He hadn’t expected to get slapped upside the head with such a strong attraction. Then again, it probably had just been the moment. Maybe if he saw her another time the pull wouldn’t be there. And then there was that whole engagement thing for her. Even if he did fall hard, timing was off in a bad way. The woman already had her career established, and he was just starting down that path.

      “Yeah, of course I am. Been planning it for years. I’ve been studying the economy, the culture, the traditions.”

      “Is that why you spent so much time dancing with Meilin? Is she your ideal Chinese princess?”

      Drew forced himself to laugh. “I’m pretty sure she doesn’t have time for me. Never mind there’s ten years between us, ya know? And she’s getting engaged tonight. So no, I don’t see her figuring in my future plans.” Which was a bloody shame, even if there was time for an all-out wooing.

      “Yeah, I can see where that would be a problem. But it didn’t seem to bother her so much last night. The age difference or the fiancé in the wings.”

      “Last night was not real life. It was a moment out of time. Not enough to make big changes in carefully laid out plans.”

      “But you’re thinking about those changes, aren’t you?”

      Birdie was a shrewd one for sure. If anything, her insight painfully reminded him of her Robinson genetics. Although Randi had said more than once Birdie’s brains came from her father’s side of the family, Drew knew her mother’s side had their fair share. Birdie had been raised by people who worked within their own family business. RJ Dailey had a successful business selling vintner’s supplies to many of the vineyards up and down the west coast. Her mother did the accounting for the business and the man who’d raised Birdie had run the sales department. She’d been around for much of it and already had a head trained for business. Transferring those smarts to Lynford would be a snap for her. Which is where her attention should focus, not on his supposed love life.

      “When have I had time?” They’d made it through the tunnel and to the other side of the golden brown hills. Dark green oak trees broke up the expanse of dried grasses as they headed for the next freeway junction that would run them past Walnut Creek and south to San Ramon.

      “True. But you know they’ll see something in your face if you let those thoughts occupy you tonight.”

      Very true. Randi was a little too observant. At least his dad would be more focused on her than him, but she’d eventually clue him in. There were times when being on his own was a good thing. Tonight would have been a good time to be very much alone with his thoughts.

      * * * *

      “What’s up with you?” From the chair beside her, the elegant and still beautiful woman who had given birth to her shattered the nap Meilin had been trying to take.

      Meilin kept her eyes closed as the technician massaged her legs. The pedicure was the last step before getting her hair done for the evening. If she didn’t open her eyes, maybe her mother would think she’d fallen asleep and hadn’t heard the question.

      “Meilin, I know when you’re faking sleep.”

      Mentally she heaved a big sigh. Mother was like that. Far too observant.

      The peaceful moment СКАЧАТЬ