See you shortly.
Oh my God, he was coming over soon!
She ran for the shower and was still dripping as she rifled through suitcases on the floor, looking for something to wear.Jeans and a T-shirt were the first things she found, so she grabbed them and went to get dressed and dry her hair.
She didn’t want to look like she’d gone to any trouble as she put on lip gloss, mascara and some powder to matte the shine on her forehead that came from the cold sweat she’d broken into as she tried to find everything she needed to look presentable when nothing was unpacked or put away.
“You’re gettingwaytoo excited about a lawyer dropping off paperwork for yourdivorce,” she told her reflection as she gave herself a good once-over in the full-length mirror in the bedroom to make sure she didn’t have toilet paper stuck to her foot or underwear hanging out of her jeans.
Deciding she looked as presentable as she ever did these days, she straightened her hair and then went to finish her glass of wine while reminding herself he was coming as her lawyer and nothing else.
“You’re in no position to be getting excited to see any man, let alone your freaking divorce attorney.How many of his clients fall madly in love with him?Probably most of the women—and maybe some of the guys, too.You’d be the latest in a long line, so knock it off and get real.”
ChapterTen
By the time Julian knocked on Isla’s door thirty minutes later, her nerves had been calmed by a second glass of wine that’d put her in a mellow mood as she greeted him.
All her pep talks might never have happened, because the minute she opened the door to him, she was reminded why she’d had such a strong reaction to him earlier.He was…beautiful.
“Come in,” she said, stepping back to admit him.
“I’ve driven by this house a thousand times and always wanted to see the inside.”
“I’d give you the tour, but the history is lost on me.I didn’t even remember that Woodrow Wilson was a president.”
He laughed, and oh my… What laughter did for his already handsome face… It ought to be a crime to look like him when you spent your days unraveling marriages.
“This house was the home of the legendary Cass Elliot from the Mamas and the Papas back in the sixties.”
Isla gave him a blank look that made him wince.
“Come on!‘California Dreamin’’?‘All the leaves are brown…’”
He could sing, even if the tune rang zero bells for her.
He groaned dramatically.“You’re killing me.”
“I’m sorry,” she said with a laugh as she led him to the kitchen.“Denny gave up on me recognizing his musical heroes years ago.I’m more of a Swiftie than a classic rock kind of girl.”
“Mad respect to Taylor, but you’re missing out by not checking out the classics, too.”
“Duly noted.I’ll look into Cass Elliot.”
“Mama Cass.She was incredible.Fun fact, she helped to put together the legendary trio of Crosby, Stills and Nash.”
Isla did her best to look impressed but was clearly at a disadvantage in this conversation.
“Look them up, too.You won’t regret it.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Sorry to go on about music, but you’ve moved into a neighborhood that defined the LA music scene in the sixties and seventies.Check out the Laurel Canyon playlist on Spotify.You’ll love it.I’ll send you a link to that and a couple of others.”
She held up the bottle of wine to ask if he wanted some.
“Sure, just a quick one.”
Isla poured him a healthy glass, hoping he’d stay for a minute.Or two.“How do you know so much about that era when you’re…”
