Always The Best Man

He wanted to pull her hair loose, rip off the necklace that was more like a collar and kiss her until her skin glowed and her mouth turned pliant under his. Until he could make her believe she was more than the mask she wore like a coat of armor.

“Why haven’t you hired a new secretary?”

He blinked, the question as much of a surprise as her appearance in his office. “I don’t need one.”

“Even you can’t believe that.” She nudged a precariously balanced pile of manila folders with one toe, then bent forward to right it when the stack threatened to topple.

“I haven’t had time,” he said, running a hand through his hair and finding it longer than he remembered. A haircut was also on his to-do list. “I did some interviewing when Donna first retired. She took a medical leave when her husband had a heart attack, and then they decided to simplify their lives and working here got cut. But she’d been with the practice when I took it over and ran this place and my life with no trouble at all. If I hire someone new, I’ll have to train them and figure out if we can work together and...” He paused, not sure how to explain the rest.

“Let me guess.” She arched a brow. “The women applying for the job think they’re also interviewing for the role of your wife?”

“Maybe,” he admitted, grabbing the empty coffee cup from his desk and walking toward her. There were plenty of single men in Crimson, so it was an irritating mystery how he’d ended up on the top of the eligible bachelor list. He didn’t have time for dating, and even if he did...

“It would have been easier if Donna had helped screen the applicants.”

One side of her mouth curved even as she rolled her crystal-blue eyes. “Because you have trouble hurting their feelings.”

“You think you’ve got me all figured out.”

She shrugged. “You’re nice, Jase. Not complicated.”

He touched the tip of one finger to her strand of pearls. “Unlike you?”

She sucked in a breath and stepped back so he could pass. There was a small utility sink in the kitchenette off the hallway, and he added the cup to the growing pile of dirty dishes. When he turned around, Emily was standing behind him, holding four more mugs by their handles.

“You forgot these.”

He sighed and reached for them. Add washing dishes to the list.

“I appreciate the social call, but was there a reason you stopped by?” He turned and moved closer, into her space. “Unless you want to continue what we started Saturday night. That kind of work break I can use.”

“No break and Saturday night was a mistake.” She frowned. “You and I both know it.”

He wanted to kiss the tension right off her face. “Then why can’t I stop thinking about how you felt pressed against me?” He dropped his voice. “The way you taste...”

Color rose to her cheeks.

“I’m not the only one, am I? You walked away but you came back.” His fingers itched to touch her. “You’re here now.”

“This isn’t a social call.” Emily straightened the hem of her jacket, looking almost nervous. “I think you should hire me.”

Jase almost laughed, then realized she was serious. “No.” He shook his head. “No way.”

“Don’t I at least get an interview?” Now her gaze turned mutinous. “That’s not fair. I can do it.” She spun on her heel and marched toward the front of his office. The space had a tiny lobby, two interior offices and a conference room. Jase loved the location just off Main Street in downtown Crimson.

The receptionist desk had become another place to stack papers since Donna’d left, and as he followed Emily toward the front door he realized how cluttered the area had become. Damn.

She picked up a thin messenger bag from one of the lobby chairs and pulled out a single sheet of paper. “My résumé,” she said, handing it to him. He stared at it, but didn’t take it from her. Her mouth thinned. “During college I was an academic assistant for two law school faculty members. I managed calendars, helped with grant proposals and assisted in the preparation of teaching materials. I’m organized and will work hard. I can come in two days this week, and then make my hours closer to full-time once Davey starts school. I’d like to be able to pick him up, but my mom can help out if you need me later in the afternoons.”

She kept pushing the résumé toward him, the corners of the paper crumpling against his stomach, so he finally plucked it out of her fingers.

“Emily,” he said softly. “I need a legal secretary.”

“Right now,” she shot back, “you need a warm body that can do dishes.”

She had a point, but he wasn’t about to admit it.

“I can do this. I can help you.” She kept her hands fisted at her sides, her chin notched up. It must have cost her to come to him like this, but Emily still made it seem like she was doing him a favor by demanding he hire her.

“This isn’t a job you want.” He folded the resume and placed it on the desk. “You’re smart and talented—”

“Talented at what?” she asked, breathing out a sad laugh. “Shopping? Planning parties? Not exactly useful skills in Crimson. Or maybe I’m good enough to kiss but not to work for you.”

He pointed at the sheet of paper. “You just told me why you’re qualified. If you can work for me, you can find another job.”

“Don’t you think I’ve tried? I spent this entire morning knocking on doors. I’m a single mom with a son who has special needs, which is a hard sell even if someone did want to hire me.” She bit down on her lip. “By the way, they don’t. Because I wasn’t nice when I was younger and that’s what people remember. That’s what they see when they look at me.”

“I don’t.”

“You’re too nice for your own good,” she said, jabbing a finger at him. “That’s why I’m here begging.” A strangled sound escaped her when she said the word begging. He studied her for crying, but her eyes remained dry. Thank God. He couldn’t take it if she started crying. “I’m begging, Jase, because I need to know I can support my son. When I left Henry, I wanted out fast so I took nothing. Hell, I’m borrowing my mom’s car like I’m a teenager again. I have to start somewhere, but I’m scared I won’t be able to take care of Davey on my own. He’s about to start kindergarten, but what if something happens? What if he—”

“He’s going to be fine, Em.” He could see her knuckles turning white even as color rose to her cheeks.

“This was a horrible idea,” she muttered, turning her head to stare out onto Main Street as if she couldn’t stand to meet his gaze another second. “I’m sorry. I’m a mess.”

Jase took a step toward her. It was stupid and self-destructive and a bad idea for both of them, but the truth was he didn’t care if Emily was a mess. He wanted her to be his mess.

* * *

Emily felt the tips of Jase’s fingers on the back of her hand. She couldn’t look at him after everything she’d said. All of the shattered pieces of herself she’d just revealed.

But her fingers loosened at his touch, and she wanted to sway into him. Somehow he grounded her and just maybe...

The front door to the office opened, a rush of fresh mountain air breezing over her heated skin. “Jase, you’re late.”

Emily whirled around to see a short, curvy woman in an ill-fitting silk blouse and shapeless skirt staring at her.

“Sorry,” the woman said quickly, glancing between Emily and Jase as she adjusted the bulky purse on her arm. “I didn’t realize you had a meeting or...”

“It’s fine,” Jase told her, stepping away from Emily. “I’ll grab my keys, and I’m ready. The Crimson Valley Hiker’s Club today, right?”

The woman nodded. “If you’re busy—”

He shook his head. “Mari, this is Emily Whitaker. She’s Noah’s sister and just got back to town. Em, Mari Simpson. Mari works at the library in town but has been kind enough to help keep me on track with my campaign.” He gave Mari a warm smile, and Emily’s throat tightened. Jase could smile at whomever he wanted. It didn’t matter only...

“He’ll be a great mayor,” Mari chirped with a bright smile of her own. While the woman wasn’t classically pretty, the smile softened her features in a way that made her beautiful. “I’m happy to do whatever I can.” Her face was sweet and hopeful. The face of a woman who would make a perfect wife. Emily forced herself not to growl in response.

“Keys,” Jase said again and disappeared into his office.