Page 6 of Zane

“And I should not be telling you that.” She sighed. “You’re young and beautiful, with that flawless complexion and a face to die for—I really hate you, by the way. And I’m sure William is a catch.” She caught the expression on the younger woman’s face. “Or is he?”

Guilt blossomed inside her chest. William had called this morning, full of apologies and remorse. He wanted them to meet over cocktails and really talk.

“What do you think of him?” she asked suddenly. “Be honest?”

“Am I anything but?” Abigail lifted slender shoulders in a shrug as she eyed her friend. “I suspect that’s a loaded question. Look, if you’re having doubts, step away. I wish I had done just that; I wouldn’t be in this mess right now. I don’t know him that well to form an honest opinion.”

“You’re hedging.”

“And you know me too well. He’s stuffy and pompous. Christ! I bet he folds his socks and steams his underwear. Sorry, I—” She grinned when Kara burst out laughing.

“I needed that.” Kara pressed a hand to her stomach and took a breath.

“So? Does he?” At Kara’s inquiring look, she repeated the question about his underwear.

“I have no idea. The furthest I’ve been inside his apartment is the living room and the kitchen.” She shrugged at the older woman’s quizzical stare. “I’ve never been inside his bedroom.”

Abigail crossed her excellent legs and settled back to make herself more comfortable. “You’re telling me that this man has never made love to you in his bedroom? On his bed?”

Kara was beginning to wish she had never said anything. Fidgeting with the pen holder, she avoided Abigail’s eyes and wondered if she could get away with a lie.

“We’re waiting for the wedding night.”

Abigail blinked, not sure she understood. “Honey, you’re telling me that you and William have never done the nasty? Not once?”

“The fact that you chose to call it ‘nasty’ tells me a lot,” Kara muttered. She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “I wanted to wait and he’s been very patient.”

Abigail simply stared. “Are you sure he’s not gay?”

“No! Why would you say something like that?”

“You know how small our world is and there have been rumors.”

“Well, the rumors are wrong,” Kara told her heatedly. She felt the guilt spreading. She was not one for gossip and the fact that William wasn’t here to defend himself made it even worse. “He’s not gay,” she added firmly. “And I think this discussion is closed. No—” She shook her head when Abigail started to speak. “You know how I feel about discussing my personal business. You’re my friend, but I don’t think it’s appropriate.”

“I’m going to say something that might offend you, but it needs to be said. You’re young and beautiful. You’re also one of the most talented lawyers I’ve ever known. That said, I will also point out that you’re too staid, too old for your age. You need to get out there and have fun, get laid, go to a club, let down your hair, and go wild.” She rose gracefully. “Life is too short for you to be settling. When you’ve decided to start living, come and find me. I need that file on my desk by this afternoon.”

Kara sat where she was, trying to ignore the hurt the words had started inside her. So, what if she wasn’t really a party girl? Nothing was wrong with that, was there? And if she wanted to save herself for marriage, there was absolutely nothing wrong with that either. She had standards and it was her choice to stick by them. It didn’t matter what someone else thought. It was her life and she chose to live it her way.

William respected her wishes. She had laid it down for him and he had accepted that she wanted to wait. Ignoring the nagging feeling of discontent and uncertainty, she picked up the file and buried herself deep.

*****

Zane kicked the lever down, his breath hissing out. He wished to God he had stayed longer at the bar. An hour more or so and he would have missed the woman seated on one of the chairs he had left outside.

Michelle Stanhope was seated primly on the edge of the chair, shoulders straight and everything about her immaculate and well ordered, from the raven hair pinned at the nape of her neck to her flawlessly cut apricot pantsuit. He wondered how long she had been waiting.

“Ah, there you are, darling.” Putting aside the thick folder she had been leafing through, she beamed at him. “I was just about to leave you a message.” She lifted her smooth cheek to be kissed. Her delicate perfume assailed his nostrils.

“Mother, what are you doing here?” The thought of getting a shower and grabbing a beer went down the drain.

“I wanted to see you, to remind you about supper on Sunday.” Tawny eyes pinned him with a look that had him squirming.

“I told Dad that I might have plans.”

“We haven’t seen you in two weeks.”

He did squirm. Whereas he could always refuse his father, the women in his life were a different matter altogether. It pissed him off how easily they could get to him.