On the other hand, Leo had been so hurt by her rejection that he’d probably moved on to someone who appreciated him. Someone who didn’t live life with that undercurrent of fear guiding important decisions.
By the time Fiona climbed into bed for the night, she toyed with the thin sliver of a chance that she would have a change of heart. Dare she entertain the possibility? Was she up for a second attempt with Leo Starks? She hugged her pillow and closed her eyes. His face filled her memory. A small smile curved her lips. She could hear the unique cadence of his voice in her head. And he was the best kisser...ever.
A vacation at the Hamptons suddenly had great appeal.
* * *
What to do when Grace Meadows sent an invitation that was really a command? Leo knew his response would be clear in two days when he arrived at the family’s eleven-acre vacation estate in the Hamptons.
“Leo Starks, you are the man.” His coworker collapsed into the nearest chair in his office.
Leo ignored Eric, although he knew that wouldn’t stop the envious jabs thinly disguised as ribbing. Working on anything related to the Meadows Media business was not just a perk but a guaranteed career boost at Grayson, Buckley and Tynesdale.
Although Grace Meadows was no longer leading Meadows Media, she had a sizable net worth that required her to have the best legal counsel. His firm had served both the personal and public sides of the Meadows family for two decades. Now the next generation of lawyers was being groomed to smooth the transition as staff retired. To be selected for that esteemed position took hard work and long hours, the savvy to navigate the sharklike office politics, and, of a more personal nature, a passion for looking out for the rights of his clients.
All of that didn’t matter if Grace was unhappy with any part of their service. Heaven help the person who ticked off the indomitable woman with error or incompetence. That lawyer might as well voluntarily banish himself to the darkest, coldest and most wretched place in the world.
“Not too many of us mortals have visited the palatial digs in Water Mill. I could put four of my condos in that house and still have room.”
“It’s not a vacation, Eric. And imagine working under Grace’s scrutiny for an unknown number of days.” Leo tried to dim his excitement. Plus there was the potential to see Fiona. As far as he knew, the entire Meadows family was expected to show up. The grain of hope for a meet-up with his ex had steadily expanded to the point where his gut now reacted under the flurry of what-if scenarios.
“Come on—cough up the details. What are you working on with Meadows? Another company in the mix? Will she need more lawyers working on a project?” Eric fired his questions at Leo without a breath between each piercing inquiry. His colleague’s easy smile faded into a mask of intensity.
“Aren’t you on the Van Buren files? That’s a hot new opportunity.” Leo did his best to push Eric back into his own lane. His connection to the Meadows family, whether because of his work or because of his romantic past with one of the granddaughters, wasn’t going to be part of any discussion with his colleague.
“Yeah, they’ve come into new money.” Eric shrugged, clearly unimpressed by the recently acquired wealth.
“Still, it pays the bills. Yours.”
“Yeah. But I’m going for the big guns.” Eric scooted his chair closer to Leo’s desk. “So, like I said, if they need additional lawyers, don’t forget to play nice and share the toys.” His gleaming white teeth were bared in a fake grin.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Leo pushed back his chair and stood. This conversation was over. He deliberately used all of his six-foot-five-inch frame to dominate his annoying colleague. “It’s time for me to get out of here.”
“Okay.” Eric rose out of the chair and took a step in retreat. “Coming with the guys to the usual hangout?”
Leo shook his head. “I have to pack. Enjoy a drink on me.”
“Cool. And I’ll text you about what hot babes I landed for the weekend. You know they are suckers for us lawyers.” He slid his hand along the side of his head. His sleek black hair was always in place, trimmed, a ready magnet for the women.
Leo accepted that he was a nerd. Nothing about his looks stirred a stampede of women toward him. According to his male colleagues, he needed to loosen up and stop scowling. The women who showered him with their suggestions for improvement shared the belief that his eyes were too serious and intense for someone his age. His short last relationship ended with her saying that he was too young to act so old. Apparently, his speedy retreat from her surprise weekend trip to a nudist camp for swingers in Oregon did them in. Some things, he couldn’t unsee.
“Here’s my last bit of advice. Don’t get in the tabloids with the Meadows granddaughters. Now, that would be a threesome to end all threesomes.” Eric grinned and slipped out of Leo’s office whistling a nameless tune.
“What an idiot,” Leo remarked in the empty office. He got his briefcase and suit jacket and headed out of the building.
The oppressive heat walloped his face with its humidity. He hurried to his car, grateful to set the air vents on a cold maximum blast. The car’s interior took its time cooling while he sat with his hands clenching and unclenching around the steering wheel. His thoughts wouldn’t let up on the barrage. What would happen when he crossed paths with Fiona Reed?
Their mismatched hookup had been kept a secret from most. The reactions and snide comments had hit their mark: a young lawyer dating an older woman had raised a few eyebrows, caused a few jokes at his expense. An intern dating his employer’s eldest granddaughter had prompted whispered warnings to be careful because it was career suicide. A man who’d fallen hopelessly and secretly in love with this woman. A woman who refused to see him as more than a casual boyfriend. A painful memory that he carried with him, and a heart that had suffered the way she’d trampled over it during her departure from his life.
Leo headed for home. He had a lot to do before he got on the road. Fate had a way of paving the path with opportunities. But opportunities weren’t always a good thing; they were merely a chance to make a decision. A part of him, where feelings, emotions and possibilities resided, craved the idea of a second chance.
His feelings, however, were hung up on his first fall into real love. The tumble was hard and the wounds ran deep. Frustration that he’d let go so easily drew bitterness. And disappointment certainly had a way of following him through his life. After his heart was broken by Fiona, he’d understood the lesson—to avoid any more strong emotional entanglements. But his mind wouldn’t let go and he hated to admit that his heart hadn’t moved on.
He turned into his driveway, activated the garage door to open and eased his car into the space. To his right was a spot for another car. His empty house had enough rooms for a large family and pets. Everything was in place, except the woman who’d torn his heart in two. He’d lived a rough and poor life as a child where forgiveness was a sign of weakness and trust was not to be given so easily. His lessons had been learned the hard way. And no matter how his defenses could crumble at the sight of Fiona, his head was in charge for this go-round.
Pride, resolve and the bitter taste of rejection had more power than the desire to cave in and be grateful that he’d be sharing the same space with her. He shook his head in response to his weakening resolve. There would be no second chances.
Fiona didn’t wait until Sunday to drive to the Hamptons. Her