Intractable Souls : Book 1 of the Bound for Ireland Series by Tricia Daniels Page A

the passenger side of Scott’s
car. “Let’s go, Scotty. We’re going to be late.”
    Scott looks at him and scowls.
“Seriously?”
    Ethan tries to convey an austere maturity.
“I’m the boss, Scott. I never joke about things like that.” They
look at each other and burst into laughter. “And on the way, you’ll
enlighten me by sharing everything you know about Olivia
James.”
    “Ha! You’re funny.” Scott pulls out onto the
road with no intentions of indulging Ethan’s newest challenge.
    “I’m not joking. Do you know this guy that
she’s having dinner with tonight?
    “Yes, and you do too. He plays soccer.”
Scott stops himself knowing that he’s probably said too much
already. It’s definitely not a good idea to let Ethan know that
Noah is the guy that pissed him off during their last game. So much
so, that he took a swing at him.
    “Hmmm, I don’t recognize the name.”
    Desperate to get off the topic, Scott throws
out a random fact. “Did you know that dueling is legal in Paraguay
as long as both parties are registered blood donors?”
    Ethan scowls at him. “Good to know, in case
I’m ever challenged to a duel in Paraguay.” Not falling for Scott’s
diversion tactics, he continues. “Now tell me about Olivia or
you’re fired.” Ethan is nothing if not persistent.
    It’s going to be a long ride into the city.
Scott thinks hard about his answer. “Well let’s see… she’s 30.
She’s Rachel’s best friend and they work at the same company.“
    “What does she like?”
    “She likes puppies, pizza and long walks on
the beach.” Scott tries not to laugh knowing Ethan won’t get his
cliché reference to the personal ads.
    He narrows his eyes, not letting on that
they have those commercials in Ireland as well. “I see… what
doesn’t she like?”
    Scott takes advantage of their friendship to
give his boss a little ego jab. “Apparently… she doesn’t like...
YOU.”
    Ethan’s mood is anything but jovial at the
moment. “Why do you think that is?“ He’s curious. He has only just
met her so he certainly hasn’t done anything to offend her.
YET!
    Scott sees an opportunity to try and
discourage him and takes it. “She hasn’t dated a man in three
years. I think she might like girls… if you know what I mean.”
    He’s sure that Scott is not being honest
with him and it’s starting to piss him off. After all, she already
admitted to having a date with some guy tonight. “Are you trying to
tell me Olivia is a Lesbian?”
    It does sound a little outrageous and Rachel
will probably kill him but he says it anyways. “That’s entirely
possible.”
    The conversation ends and thirty minutes
later Scott pulls into the parking garage of the high-rise office
building downtown. Both men get out of the car, grab their suit
jackets and brief cases, and head for the elevator. Their footsteps
echo as they make their way through the structure that’s dimly lit
with florescent lights. Standing near the door, an older woman
waits. Her silver hair and eccentric clothing making her look
suspiciously out of place there. Scott and Ethan look at each other
as she approaches them.
    “I thought that security is supposed to keep
the crazies and the panhandlers out of here?” Ethan looks at Scott
with concern.
    “They usually do.” Scott reaches into his
pocket for his wallet, expecting her to be looking for a handout.
She shouldn’t be in here, but he just doesn’t have it in him to
ignore her.
    Smiling as she approaches them, she locks
eyes with Ethan and doesn’t break her stare. When she stops in
front of them, she speaks only to Ethan, ignoring Scott and his
wallet all together.
    “It’s about time you got here. What took you
so long, boy? We’ve been waiting a long time for you.” Her voice is
warm and friendly… almost familiar. The hair stands up on the back
of Ethan’s neck. Looking at Scott awkwardly, he freezes, not
knowing what to say.
    “Why are you looking so lost