“Thanks. So do you.” It occurred to her that in all their time together, they hadn’t once gone out on a date.

Now she saw why.

They stood there awkwardly for a moment before he reached out and dragged her into his arms. “God, I’ve missed you.”

The last bit of her ineffectual wall came crumbling down. “I’m sorry I moved our dinner to tonight,” she blurted out then as she slid her arms around his waist.

He leaned back and brushed a thumb against her cheekbone. “Feeling bad about that are we?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” His lips came down on hers swiftly. The kiss was frantic, hungry. Just this side of angry.

By the time he pulled back, the room was spinning. “Don’t ever shut me out like that again, Abby. Not unless you mean it.”

No. She wouldn’t push him away anymore. Couldn’t. “Do you want to cancel our dinner reservations and eat here instead?” she asked softly, hopefully.

He slid his hand through her hair. “Actually, I’m kind of looking forward to having a night out with you.”

“But—”

“Let’s go out tonight, Abby. Let me prove to you that we can do this.”

How was it that he knew exactly what she was worried about? “You sound so sure.”

“I am.” He put his arm around her and tugged her over to the driveway.

To his beautiful powder black car.

With the bench seats she loved so much.

She smiled up at him. “Is your Lexus in the shop?”

He grinned back. “Nope. I told you, I’m going to prove to you that we can do this. You and I can be together and be ourselves out there in the big bad world.”

“So you’re going to a fancy establishment where you’ll likely run into clients and colleagues?” With me. “In an old muscle car. Just to prove a point?”

“Abby, I’d pull up riding on the handlebars of Skylar’s pink bicycle...hell, I’d drive up in your car to prove this particular point.”

She burst out laughing.

“You don’t believe me?” He reached for her purse. “Hand over the keys.”

“No!” She giggled and ran the rest of the way to his car. “We can’t go to a five-star restaurant in my car!”

Connor pinned her against the passenger door, capturing her lips in a deep, soul-searing kiss.

It wasn’t until about five seconds after the kiss ended that she realized he’d gone and pickpocketed her purse.

A half hour later, Abby was still whacking him on the arm.

“That valet kid thought we were punking him.” Another whack. “I swear, he kept looking around like a bunch of TV cameras were going to come rushing out.”

“I know.” He chuckled. “Did you see his expression when I slipped him a twenty and told him to make sure to park it somewhere safe?”

“Stop.” Whack. “Making fun of.” Whack. “My car!”

“Yes, this is far less embarrassing. Quick, sucker punch me in the gut. I think I see a lawyer from a competing law firm I’m facing in court on Monday.”

She instantly dropped her hands back to her sides. “This isn’t over,” she hissed.

“Oh, I know. And I’m counting the minutes till we get home to see just what you’ll do next.”

Home.

She had no idea whose home he was referring to, but at least they’d be there together.

As the maître de led them to a corner table with a stunning view of the city, Abby couldn’t help but sigh with pleasure. Not because they were in the most elegant restaurant she could ever imagine.

But because she was starting to believe.

“Thank you,” she said quietly. “For proving your point.”

Connor smiled back. “I think I’d much prefer a ‘you were right.’”

She flicked open her menu. “I’ll keep that in mind if one day you ever are.”

His soft, tickled laughter died a quick death when a slick as silk voice rang out from the next table over.

“Why look Lynn, it’s Connor.”

They both turned to watch a tall, distinguished looking man stand up and come over with his ‘date’—Abby would’ve guessed daughter at first but seeing his hand on the woman/girl’s ass quickly dispelled that theory.

“Connor, did you get that paperwork I left on your desk today?”

So, a colleague, then. One that, from the looks of it, Connor didn’t like very much.

“Yes, I did. I’ll look over it in the morning,” he answered brusquely, his eyes as hard and cold as she’d ever seen them.

The stranger didn’t budge. “Well? Aren’t you going to introduce me to your beautiful date, Connor?”

Abby watched a muscle tick in Connor’s cheek as his entire posture turned rigid with anger.

Alarmed, and thoroughly lost, she stuck her hand out to the man to try and defuse the situation. “I’m Abby. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“I’m delighted to meet you, Abby. I’m Marcus, and this is Lynn my personal assistant.”

Riiight.

“So, are you two here on a date?” inquired Marcus.

Abby could see why Connor didn’t like him.

Connor’s glare went from angry to furious.

“What?” asked Marcus innocently. “Can’t I be just a little curious about my son’s love life?”

Son. The rude man was Connor’s father.

“Lynn,” Connor shot a withering glance at the woman fidgeting beside Marcus, “I hope you remembered to order my mother’s anniversary flowers. You know how hard it is to get those lilies that she loves so much.”

Lynn blanched and mumbled, “No, I forgot.”

Marcus raised an eyebrow in a silent touché, before conceding, “Fine, keep your secrets, Connor. I guess I’ll just have to get to know Abby better on my own.” He turned to face her. “Perhaps at this weekend’s charity ball?”

Abby froze, and did her best to keep her smile plastered to her face.

“That’s enough!” barked Connor.

“People are starting to stare, Marcus,” whispered Lynn.

Marcus gave Connor a triumphant look and then took a step back. “Well, I see the two lovebirds just want to be alone. Have a good evening. Sorry to have interrupted your date.”

Abby kept her eyes glued to the menu until he was gone. Really? Did he have to put such a scornful emphasis on the word ‘date?’

“I’m sorry you got sucked into that.” Connor’s voice was literally vibrating with rage.

She dropped her menu. Connor shouldn’t be apologizing for his socially corrupt father. “You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for.”

He covered her hands with his. “That charity ball he mentioned—”

Oh. Well, there was that. “You don’t need to explain.”

“It’s just an annual gala we all go to because the firm is one of the main sponsors. I forgot about it completely. Usually, I just take Victoria to these sort of things but if you want to go, I’d love to take you.” He turned a shade uncomfortable. “It’s a black tie affair. I, uh, could take you shopping for a gown. And I’d buy it for you, of course, since you’re doing me the honor of being my date.”

A little part of her died on the inside at the offer…and then rose from the dead out of sheer annoyance when she saw Marcus watching them with that same aggravating smile.

This was a vicious, vicious world Connor lived in. Surviving here took a whole skillset she lacked entirely.

“What night is this ball?”

“Saturday.”

“I actually have plans for that night,” she lied, giving him a wan smile. “So I guess I won’t get to have my Pretty Woman shopping moment with you.”

His hand closed tighter around hers. “I’ll stay home if you want.”

She shook her head vigorously. “No, don’t do that. You should go have a good time.” Wanting desperately to get some air, she stood up abruptly and looked around for a restroom.

He caught her by the elbow. “Talk to me.”

“There’s nothing to say. I just can’t go. But I really, truly want you to have fun. Charities are important.” She patted his arm reassuringly. “And despite her kissing you and offering you a member massage in front of me, Victoria does seem kind of nice.”