debauchery, he knew to keep his hands off.
After that, the timing had never been quite right. Or perhaps he’d shied away because avoidance of involvement was preferable to dealing with the fallout of a failed relationship. Facing his father’s disappointment would have been bad enough. But the possibility of running into Angie at some legal function and having to deal with wounded looks or recriminations kept him from giving in to temptation.
So what had changed? Was it their enforced proximity as a result of this case? Or the fact that she seemed to take inordinate pleasure in egging him on?
They’d locked horns before, over her sister Eva’s situation four years ago. Back then, all their negotiations had taken place in the presence of a third party—usually Zach’s dad or Angie’s sister. This time, however, they seemed to clash with increasing frequency without the restraining influence of family or other witnesses.
Was that all it took to fire his libido to the point where he was ready to throw all self-restraint out the window?
Or was there something else at play, something that had less to do with their battle of wills than with his own brewing sense of dissatisfaction?
Here he was, thirty-five years old, with a successful career, a healthy investment portfolio, a luxurious home in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, and a little black book that any red-blooded male would envy.
He should be feeling on top of the world. Instead, he felt restless. Bored. Lonely. Wondering what he was missing.
Lately, the only time he didn’t feel that way was in Angie’s company. With her he felt invigorated, the anticipation and nervous energy fizzing in his veins as if he’d just downed a double dose of caffeine.
How fucked up was that?
And now she’d gone and pulled a disappearing act on him, sending some stern-faced substitute in her place.
“Mr. Stewart,” the woman said, the sudden sharpness of her tone pulling Zach from his thoughts. “How many times have you been sued for CEQA violations?”
“Objection,” Zach said. “Harassing.”
The woman frowned. “Do you recall the lawsuit filed against S&L six years ago by the Citizens’ Coalition for a Livable City?”
“Yes.”
“Here is a copy of the complaint, submitted as Exhibit E. Can you summarize, for the record, the terms of your settlement agreement with the plaintiff?”
Zach opened his mouth to object, but his dad beat him to it. “Sorry, Ms. Katz. As I’m sure you’re aware, the terms of that settlement were confidential.”
The woman continued to hammer Tom with questions until Zach finally requested a short break.
He didn’t know if it was his imagination or the harsh fluorescent lighting in the room, but his dad seemed to have aged a decade overnight. There were deep grooves around his mouth and dark bags beneath his eyes that Zach didn’t remember being there before.
Later that afternoon, after the deposition concluded and the room cleared out, Zach followed his father to the café on the ground floor.
“Doc said you should lay off the caffeine,” he reminded Tom.
“A man’s gotta have some vices, kid. I gave up cigarettes, salt, and booze. What’s left?”
Zach swapped his decaf for Tom’s espresso. “Women?”
That earned him a small chuckle.
They found an empty corner table. Tom took a sip of coffee and grimaced. “How long do you think this travesty will last?”
Zach wished he had an answer. As far as he was concerned, it had already dragged on too long. The lawsuit was taking a toll on Tom’s health, S&L’s bottom line, and Zach’s patience. And the woman behind it, even when she wasn’t physically present, was seriously messing with Zach’s head. Not to mention his libido.
“I don’t know, Dad.” He finished off his espresso and set the cup down on the table with a decisive thud. “I think it’s time I paid Angie another visit.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The receptionist buzzed
After that, the timing had never been quite right. Or perhaps he’d shied away because avoidance of involvement was preferable to dealing with the fallout of a failed relationship. Facing his father’s disappointment would have been bad enough. But the possibility of running into Angie at some legal function and having to deal with wounded looks or recriminations kept him from giving in to temptation.
So what had changed? Was it their enforced proximity as a result of this case? Or the fact that she seemed to take inordinate pleasure in egging him on?
They’d locked horns before, over her sister Eva’s situation four years ago. Back then, all their negotiations had taken place in the presence of a third party—usually Zach’s dad or Angie’s sister. This time, however, they seemed to clash with increasing frequency without the restraining influence of family or other witnesses.
Was that all it took to fire his libido to the point where he was ready to throw all self-restraint out the window?
Or was there something else at play, something that had less to do with their battle of wills than with his own brewing sense of dissatisfaction?
Here he was, thirty-five years old, with a successful career, a healthy investment portfolio, a luxurious home in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, and a little black book that any red-blooded male would envy.
He should be feeling on top of the world. Instead, he felt restless. Bored. Lonely. Wondering what he was missing.
Lately, the only time he didn’t feel that way was in Angie’s company. With her he felt invigorated, the anticipation and nervous energy fizzing in his veins as if he’d just downed a double dose of caffeine.
How fucked up was that?
And now she’d gone and pulled a disappearing act on him, sending some stern-faced substitute in her place.
“Mr. Stewart,” the woman said, the sudden sharpness of her tone pulling Zach from his thoughts. “How many times have you been sued for CEQA violations?”
“Objection,” Zach said. “Harassing.”
The woman frowned. “Do you recall the lawsuit filed against S&L six years ago by the Citizens’ Coalition for a Livable City?”
“Yes.”
“Here is a copy of the complaint, submitted as Exhibit E. Can you summarize, for the record, the terms of your settlement agreement with the plaintiff?”
Zach opened his mouth to object, but his dad beat him to it. “Sorry, Ms. Katz. As I’m sure you’re aware, the terms of that settlement were confidential.”
The woman continued to hammer Tom with questions until Zach finally requested a short break.
He didn’t know if it was his imagination or the harsh fluorescent lighting in the room, but his dad seemed to have aged a decade overnight. There were deep grooves around his mouth and dark bags beneath his eyes that Zach didn’t remember being there before.
Later that afternoon, after the deposition concluded and the room cleared out, Zach followed his father to the café on the ground floor.
“Doc said you should lay off the caffeine,” he reminded Tom.
“A man’s gotta have some vices, kid. I gave up cigarettes, salt, and booze. What’s left?”
Zach swapped his decaf for Tom’s espresso. “Women?”
That earned him a small chuckle.
They found an empty corner table. Tom took a sip of coffee and grimaced. “How long do you think this travesty will last?”
Zach wished he had an answer. As far as he was concerned, it had already dragged on too long. The lawsuit was taking a toll on Tom’s health, S&L’s bottom line, and Zach’s patience. And the woman behind it, even when she wasn’t physically present, was seriously messing with Zach’s head. Not to mention his libido.
“I don’t know, Dad.” He finished off his espresso and set the cup down on the table with a decisive thud. “I think it’s time I paid Angie another visit.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The receptionist buzzed
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