Chapter 6
“Nice shoes, Ms. Silva.”
Goosebumps appeared on the skin of Heather’s arms at the low tone whispering behind her. Turning her head, she smiled pleasantly at the man.
“Mr. Holland.”
Scott stood behind her in a charcoal-gray suit, the one he’d worn to Callie and Jacks wedding a few months ago, and a plum paisley tie. At the wedding he’d worn blue. So he had at least two ties. Good to know.
“That dress is prettyfabulous too.”
As his finger slid up the bare skin between her shoulder blades, she cursed her choice of this outfit. The draped fabric on top showed off her toned back while the snug skirt emphasized her lower curves. If she’d known Scott was going to be here she would have gone more for the burlap look. The last thing she needed was to get him even more amorous than usual. It was a public place, though; maybe he’d behave. Smoothing down the silky blue fabric of her skirt, her face heated, almost wishing he wouldn’t.
“What brings you here?” For some reason he fit in with the rich and pampered celebrating the opening of the new wing of the Law Library at her alma mater. In his nice clothes, he didn’t look like a builder, though she still caught a whiff of sawdust mixed in with the clean soapy scent.
He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. No steel-toed boots for him today. “Who do you think did theconstruction?”
“Nicely done. My father donated a sizable chunk of money for this addition so he insisted we all makean appearance.”
“Your parents are here? I’ve never met them.” His gaze searched the room.
Did she want to introduce them? They’d both been curious about the man she’d gone into partnership with. Her responses had been vague as she couldn’t always read how her parents would respond to things.
“Sweetheart,” her father’s booming voice sounded behind her. “Speaking with Winston, I finally put together the Holland Construction who did this addition with the Scott Holland who’s your new business partner.” He thrust his hand out toward Scott.
“Dad, yes, this is Scott who I’ve told you about. I hadn’t realized he was involved in thenew wing here.”
The men shook hands and eyed each other for a few seconds. Sizing each other up? What wasthe conclusion?
“Scott, this is my father, Domenic Silva, and my mother”—she indicated the petite blond woman behind him, always behind him—“Nicoletta.”
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet Heather’s parents.”
“Winston was telling me what a great job your company did on this project. Good to know Heather’s pulled you in to help her with this new scheme she’s got going.”
“It’s not a scheme, Dad, it’s a business project.”
“Of course it is, sweetheart. Now, Scott, tell me about the plans you’ve got. I might have some work for your company if I like what I hear.”
The two men walked away and her hands clenched. It was her damn idea. Well, Scott had one too, though different from what she wanted. Figures her father only wanted the man’s version. When Scott glanced back at her, the conciliatory look he sent made some of the aggravation ease, butonly slightly.
“What is your relationship with Scott Holland, dear?” her mother asked, her voice modulated andcalm as always.
“He’s my business partner.”
“That’s all? His hand running up your back earlier was a bit friendlier than I would have expected for a business partner.”
Damn, she’d seen that. Who else had? She knew lots of people here today. Clients as well as associatesof her father.
“I mentioned to you before that his cousin, Jack, is married to Callie, so I’ve known him casually for a few years. He likes to tease at times,nothing more.”
“I hope it’s nothing more, dear. While his company did a fabulous job here, he’s not in your circle. You need a man who can support you in the way you deserve so you can give up this silly career thing. There are multiple charities and events that I could use help with. I don’t know why you insist on actually having an outside job.”
“I like what I do, Mom. I have no desire to give it up and depend on some man to provide for me.”
“What will you do when you get married? You’ll be dependenton a man then.”
“I may never get married.” Her mother’s eyebrows rose so far up she wasn’t sure they wouldn’t fly off her face. “Not if it means I’ll be beholden to some man and have no say in what mylife is like.”
