Page 351 of Summer Heat
“How many times do I have to tell you to cut that out? My PhD is not a done deal, Jim.”
“Oh hush, young lady.” James T. Holt came over to give Abby a formal peck on the cheek. “As far as I’m concerned, ‘ABD’ stands for all but done. You may as well get used to being called a professor.” Jim turned to bring Connor up to speed. “I’ve known Abby here for years. She’s a miracle worker. Thanks to her, my son was actually able to move on to high school this year.”
“Reese was not that bad,” defended Abby, hands on hips.
“Says the woman who only had him in small doses,” replied Jim dryly. “I’m just glad you started tutoring at his school when you did. I was really starting to get worried.”
“That you’d have to dust off the ole grammar knowledge you ‘misplaced’ to attempt to help him with his homework?” ribbed Abby.
Connor blinked. Seriously, who was this woman?
Jim chortled heartily. “You caught me. Thank God for well-written paralegals and first-years.”
“Hence my stand on standardizing a more rigorous business and technical writing curriculum in core education.”
Abby threw an I-told-you-so grin over at Brian. “Brian, this is James Holt, one of the greatest legal minds in the city…well, next to your father and brother of course. James, this is Brian Sullivan of those Sullivans,” she editorialized behind an impishly cupped hand. “He’s the rebel son who chose the career path of teaching business economics over lawyering.”
Brian and Jim shook hands and immediately launched into conversation over current commerce affairs.
Never had Connor felt so invisible.
“You can get back to your party now,” said Abby in a conspiratorial tone. “No worries, I’ll keep an eye on Brian for you tonight.”
The innocuous words hit him like a bucket of ice on his lap, shriveling his growing interest in the woman right up. Reality check, jackass—she was Brian’s date.
Brian’s smart, captivating, completely off-limits date.
He took a blatant step away from the all too fascinating Abby and fumbled for a recovery, “I, uh…thanks. For taking care of it for me. Him, not it...Brian, that is.”
Rendered idiotic by the amused, utterly female smile curving her plump lips, he finished lamely, “You’re good for him.”
“Thanks, Connor.” She grinned. “I’ve always thought the same of you.”
Lord, he could listen to the way she said his name all day, her husky teacher voice an inspiration for instant fantasies of the lusty sex-in-the-classroom variety.
Yep, he had to get the hell away from her. Fast.
“You’re right, I should return to my guests. It’s been a pleasure, Abby. Enjoy your evening.” With that and a cursory nod, he excused himself like a bat out of hell, waiting until he was safely at the other end of the room before allowing himself one final glance back.
Just in time to see Brian whispering in her ear, of course.
CHAPTER TWO
“YOU WERE GETTING READY to hit on Victoria.”
“What?! No!”
Abby snickered at the degree of horror in Brian’s voice as she recounted the party events from two nights prior. “Yup. It was a close call, too. I got you out of your brother’s house when you started saying how hot she was.” She tsked into the phone. “I told you all that expensive liquor Connor keeps would sneak up on you harder than the cheap stuff we drink.”
“Still. Victoria?”
She could almost hear him shuddering.
“Good god, I’m glad you saved me when you did. I knew it’d be a good idea to bring you to that party.”
“Except now Connor thinks you and I are dating.”
“So what if he does?” queried Brian indifferently. “Maybe now he’ll stop giving me those pitying looks he thinks I don’t see. You don’t mind playing along, do you?”
