I did,” she grumbled. “So, can you help?”
He really wanted to call Siobhan, but it would have to wait. He rose to his feet and walked to his office. “Yeah. Send me what you have and we’ll work on it.”
“Thanks, Justin! I’m going to put you on speaker so Alana and Francesca can hear.”
“Who?”
“My partners. Those guys aren’t going to know what hit them when we unveil this project,” Jocelyn added with a giggle.
Justin shook his head and clicked on the email his sister had sent. He plugged in the cell, figuring the battery would be close to dead by the time the call ended if he didn’t. He scanned the document. “All right. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
They went back and forth, and he talked them through a series of steps. He asked them several questions and was impressed by the wealth of knowledge all three young women possessed. Instead of using sensors, which an intruder could step over or avoid, they had chosen to use a camera and create a system with image processing. Later, Jocelyn assured him they could handle things, thanked him and hung up with a promise to let him know how the final project turned out.
He checked the time—five o’clock. Knowing he shouldn’t, but unable to resist, Justin dialed Siobhan.
“Hello,” came the tentative greeting when she answered.
“Siobhan, it’s Justin.”
“Oh. Hey.”
“Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“We just finished cooking dinner and are about to take everything to the table.”
“I’m sorry. I figured you’d be done with dinner.”
“It’s no problem. I usually come early to help with the cooking,” Siobhan answered. “Was there something you wanted?”
“Yes. No.” Justin felt like a sixteen-year-old again, calling a girl for the first time. What was wrong with him? “I just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed your company today, and I’m hoping you’ll give me a chance to take you out on a real date.”
Her soft laughter came through the line. “You’re persistent, if nothing else.”
He hadn’t got this far in life without being tenacious, particularly when it came to pursuing his goals. “Only when necessary.”
“I did say I’d think about it, but stalking me isn’t going to win you any prizes or dates.”
He chuckled. “Okay, so no stalking. Got it. What about kisses? Siobhan!” he called when she didn’t answer.
“I’m here.”
“Well?”
“Well, what?”
“My kisses. Will they win me any prizes or a date?”
“I have to go, Justin.”
“You’re not going to answer my question?”
“No, I am not,” she whispered. “Goodbye.”
“I’ll talk to you later.” Justin drummed his fingers on the desk. He had no idea what possessed him to flirt with her that way. His common sense seemed to take a hike each time he heard her voice. Canceling the date would be the best thing, but he didn’t see that happening, either.
Siobhan clutched the phone to her chest and drew in a deep, steadying breath. Hearing Justin’s smooth-as-velvet voice brought back everything his kisses made her feel with vivid clarity—feelings she had spent the past three hours trying to forget. Why hadn’t she declined that second date?
“Siobhan, are you planning to bring that mac and cheese to the table sometime today, or are you going to stand there daydreaming?”
She whirled around at the sound of her mother’s voice and shoved the cell into her jeans pocket. “I’m coming right now.” She grabbed the dish and rushed off to the dining room.
“Is everything all right, honey?” her mother asked, following behind Siobhan and placing a platter filled with sliced prime rib, turkey and ham on the table. “You looked a little troubled after that phone call.”
She shifted uncomfortably under her mother’s scrutiny. “I’m fine. Just talking to a friend.” She glanced back at the table laden with all manner of food. “I think that’s about it. I’ll go let everybody know.”
Lively chatter commenced as her family gathered around the table. There was a brief pause in the conversation while her father blessed the food, and then it started up again as everyone filled his or her plate.
“Siobhan, that’s all you’re eating?” Siobhan’s only sister, Morgan, asked. “Usually, three-fourths of your plate is covered with macaroni and cheese.”
Siobhan glanced down at her half-empty plate. Macaroni and cheese was her absolute favorite food, but thoughts of Justin still had her stomach in knots. “I’m just not that hungry.”
“Did you eat with your friend earlier?” her mother asked.
Brandon turned her way. “What friend?”
Siobhan rolled her eyes. “I just met a friend for coffee.”
“It wouldn’t happen to be one of the men I saw you dancing with last night?”
“Really, Brandon? All those men wanted to pitch their latest product. I don’t know why they didn’t just talk to you or Daddy.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, Dad’s a little intimidating, and you’re way prettier than Brandon,” Khalil said with a chuckle.
“Whatever,” she said.
“Does that include the guy you danced with twice and who walked you out?” Brandon asked mildly after taking a sip of his tea.
She leveled him with an angry stare. “I can’t believe you. What, were you following me or something?”
“Just answer the question.”
“None of your business,” Siobhan snapped.
“Brandon, leave your sister alone,” her mother interrupted. “Was he a nice young man, Siobhan?”
Siobhan groaned inwardly. DeAnna Gray was on a mission to see all of her children happily married, and with Siobhan being the oldest, her mother thought she should set the example. Siobhan shrugged. “He was nice enough, but as I said, they all just really wanted an in to the company.”
“You know, there was this one young man I met last night,” her father started. “He had a great idea. I told him to call the office and get on my schedule.”
“Did you recognize him, Dad?” Brandon asked.
“No. He said his name was—”
Her mother held up her hand. “All right, all right. That’s enough. There will be no business talk at the dinner table.” The rule had been in place as far back as Siobhan could remember.
Her father nodded. “You’re right, Anna.”
The conversation shifted to Malcolm’s upcoming vacation. He usually took a monthlong retreat in the spring before he had to start football training camp in late summer. “I’m looking forward to getting away for a while. And I’ve never been to Belize, so it should be fun.”
“Too bad we’re getting ready for the new product release. I’d really like to go with you,” Siobhan said.
“Me, too,” Morgan added. “I haven’t had time to even think about a vacation.” Morgan worked in the company’s legal department, joining right out of