“Yes?”
Connor scratched the back of his neck, making his suit jacket stretch over his stupid biceps. “I’m Connor. Sorry if this sounds corny, but you’re incredibly beautiful. I…I couldn’t let you just run by. Would you mind giving me your number?”
The jogger blushed and brushed a sweaty strand of hair out of her face before laughing. “I’m so sweaty, how can you think I’m beautiful? But, why not? Give me your phone.”
Fuck.
Frustrated, Rachel tilted her head back and retreated to the dating agency. Hailey stood in front of her desk with her lips pursed and her hands on her hips, staring at her.
But before Hailey could get out the not-so-kind words that were probably on the tip of her tongue, the door behind Rachel opened and Maddie walked in.
“Rachel! You’re here!” she said breathlessly, smiling broadly. Her little sister had always been brilliant at making you feel like a rare species that needed to be saved. “Oh my God, you’re really here. I almost gave up on it because you kept postponing your moving date! You were supposed to come at the beginning of the year!” The next moment, she threw her arms around Rachel's neck and pulled her close. “I’ve missed you. It’s so good to have you back home.”
Rachel swallowed, her eyes stinging as she returned the hug and gently rubbed Maddie’s back, like she used to when Maddie snuck into her bed during a thunderstorm. She had missed Maddie too, the unconditional love that only Maddie could dispense, as generously as Connor Stone’s bad energy. Even though she didn’t deserve it. Even though she had let them down. Both of them. Maddie and Lucy.
She had always believed that being far away from her family meant she would hurt fewer people. But that wasn’t true. She’d caused just as much damage in Chicago, if not more. And her therapist said that she’d only stop sabotaging her own relationships and feeling guilty if she talked to her family more often. So here she was, back in Los Angeles. With her sisters, with whom she’d once been incredibly close, before everything in her hometown had become too much and she’d fled to Boston. Before her mother had died and left her alone with her secrets.
“Hey, did I just see Connor leaving as I arrived? Oh dear.” Maddie pushed Rachel back by the shoulders and smiled at her apologetically. “What horrible thing did you do to receive such a nasty welcoming committee?”
Oh, Rachel could think of a few things. “It wasn’t that bad,” she assured her, which made Hailey burst into a coughing fit.
“It was a little wild,” she objected loudly. “You could say Rachel picked a fight with him.”
“Really?” Maddie looked at Rachel, astonished. “But you don’t pick fights with people. You’re always so…level-headed and reasonable.”
Rachel bit the inside of her cheek. Yes, that was the prevailing opinion. “He upset me,” she explained matter-of-factly.
“Oh yeah, he’s good at that. But what the heck. Whatever you said to him, he deserved it. My goodness. Not even two seconds back in town and you’re already fighting with the neighbors… I think you’ll fit in perfectly here!”
Rachel frowned. She wasn’t so sure about that yet.
“Did he complain about the sign?” Maddie asked, looking at her business partner.
“Yes! The sign I told you not to put up,” Hailey groaned. “I told you. Cian warned me that Connor’s patience was hanging by a single expensive thread.”
Maddie grimaced. “You know we need it. We generate most of our customers through them! All their super-rich clients get divorced and then sign up here because they’re convinced they’re obviously choosing the wrong partner and need professional help. Without the signs, our sales would plummet. Again. And with Tinder and Bumble, sales are already a bit…let’s say, lagging. I was hoping that maybe you could change that?” She batted her eyelashes at Rachel. “What if you join us full-time now? Although I must warn you that we pay poorly. Mostly with love and chicken eggs.”
“Oh, your sister has already taken the first steps in marketing. Tell her about the bet, Rachel,” Hailey said, pained.
Maddie looked at her, astonished. “What kind of bet?”
Chapter Two
When life hands you lemons — throw them at your enemies!
Tips and tricks for every situation from divorce lawyer Connor Stone
Judging by your face, you bit into every single one! - Rachel
Wait, you betwhat now?”
“You need toyell softer.”
“You should talk…” Cian shook his head in disbelief and leaned back in his office chair. The Irishman was 33% his best friend, 66% his business partner, and always a fucking pain in the ass. “Fuck, Connor. Everyone always says you can keep a cool head. But this!”
Welleveryonehad obviously never been confronted by Rachel James! Yes, he had gotten a little worked up. And usually calmed down just as quickly, but just thinking about the couples'therapist's condescending expression… Shit, his blood was still boiling.
“God.” Cian groaned and rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. “I knew I should have gone over to speak to Maddie!”
