Do-Over by Dorien Kelly Read Free Book Online Page B

signal of who was next to ascend to partnership.
    Cara briefly considered calling Rory and nudging him along to find her a new home. She knew he’d do it if she kissed up enough. Two things stood in her way: loyalty and honor. Regardless of the lawyer jokes she heard daily, loyalty and honor were tenets she never abandoned.
    Rory, on the other hand, had shown her no loyalty. And as for honor… The guy was sleeping with at least three women that Cara knew of, each of whom believed she was in an exclusive relationship. It had been none of Cara’s business, so, even though it had made her crazy, she’d kept her mouth shut. In time, she had come to realize that her answering silence when girl number one, two or three would mine for info on Rory, made her no better than he. She’d ignored these thoughts while Rory was here, for he’dbeen her best advocate among the partners. Now that he was gone, she could admit to the truth.
    She was far safer battling Morgan than moving on. She couldn’t risk falling into Rory’s deceitfully charming ways, and she suspected that in his continued company, it was a distinct possibility.
    Cara checked her watch. In fifteen minutes, the finance practice group would assemble in the conference room to be officially introduced to their shining new hero. She knew she shouldn’t be so cynical about him. After all, he wasn’t as inherently oily as Rory, and he couldn’t help it if he was too handsome for her own good. But dammit, for once, couldn’t life go the way she planned?
    M ARK SCOWLED AT HIS office windows. There wasn’t even a vent he could open on the things. He didn’t know much about Rory McLohne, except that he’d poached clients and had been too damn fond of his aftershave. Over the weekend, this space had been cleaned from top to bottom and it still bore the cloying scent of “Guy with something to prove.” Maybe by the time Mark returned from New York at the end of the week, the smell would have dissipated, as would have Cara’s anger. He knew the odds on losing the Rory-stink were better.
    Cara had asked what he remembered of her from law school. He could recall a great many things, like the way on warm spring days, she’d wear blue shorts that had probably been a more conservative fit back in high school. Then she’d cross her legs and swing one foot, its sandal dangling, drawing attention to crimson-painted toenails and a gold toe-ring. He could recall wanting to touch her skin, to trace the dusting offreckles across her shins, and he could recall the one time he’d been lucky enough to taste her.
    Of course, the pitcher of margaritas she’d singlehandedly downed had created both her salty taste and the opportunity to experience it. He wondered if she still drank margaritas. Somehow, he doubted it. In fact, he doubted if she even remembered that hot, endless kiss. Or throwing up on his shoes about fifteen minutes later. At least, if God was kind, that would be the case.
    “Are you ready?”
    Mark set aside thoughts of margaritas and their aftereffects and focused on Stewart Harbedian, who stood in the doorway. Mark’s instant assessment of Stewart had been that the guy was gregarious and smart, and that his favorite sight was his reflection in a mirror. Nothing since that first meeting in New York weeks ago had changed Mark’s mind.
    Mark stood. “Ready.” He walked around his desk.
    Stewart grasped his hand and gave him a hearty handshake. “You’re looking good. Custom suit?”
    “Off the rack,” Mark corrected.
    “Damn,” Stewart murmured. “Great fit.” Mark could see him mentally penciling-in two more weekly sessions with his personal trainer.
    It hadn’t escaped Mark that Harbedian appeared to consider him an extension of himself. He’d recruited Mark, thus whatever good Mark brought accrued to Stewart. For all that, Mark actually appreciated the pep talk Stewart gave while they walked to the conference room.
    Inside, five partners and eleven