Rosa sighed. “Our daughter doesn’t require my services this evening, which means I’m free from about five.”
“Eager. I like it,” Billy said. “Okay, technically I finish work at five, but I can be home by…” There was a pause as she considered. “Quarter past. I just need a shower and change—”
“Hold that thought,” Rosa said, feeling suddenly aroused.
“You want to join me?” Billy said slowly, a little seductively. Rosa felt it hit her hard and ripple through her nervous system.
“I…yes, I think…yes, yes, I do,” she said, with more conviction as she finished.
“Okay, then. Well, I look forward to it. It’s always good to know in advance what to expect.”
Rosa chuckled. “Are you pretending that I’m a client?”
“Absolutely,” Billy said. “You know how much I like to make sure we’re all on the same page.”
“Well, then I look forward to you flicking through my pages later…and Billy?”
“Uh huh?”
“Make sure you have access to all of your—”
A gentle cough from behind made Rosa sit up straight.
“Yes, that would be perfect,” Rosa said, ending the call with Billy’s laughter still in her ear.
“Sorry to interrupt, Rosa, I can’t find that file you gave me on garrotting. Would you be able to print it again?” Roger asked, ruffling his beard with his pudgy fingers.
“Of course, I’ll bring it in in a jiffy.”
Chapter forty-two
Niamph glanced across the desks, looking at Billy on the phone. The light pink to her cheeks and the grin were far too big of clues to ignore.
When Billy put her phone down, Niamph said, “And who’s making you all giddy?”
Billy looked up, the blush going a deeper pink as she sat back in her chair and grinned like the proverbial cat that got the cream.
“I’ve been your office bestie for going on three years, and the only time I’ve seen you go all giddy like this is when you’re talking about that ex-wife of yours.” Niamph stood up and walked around the desks that backed onto one another to perch on the corner of Billy’s. The pencil skirt rode up her thigh a little, but Billy paid no attention to it—they’d never been flirtatious.
“So, I might have told her,” Billy admitted quietly.
“Rosa?” Niamph clarified.
“I’ve only got one ex-wife.” Billy feigned indignation. “Yes, Rosa.”
Niamph’s eyes went wide. “And I have to surmise from this reaction,” she said, waving her hand around to indicate Billy, “she’s on board with a little romancing again?”
“We spent last week together, for Imogen’s birthday celebrations at my mother’s.”
“In Austria? In the snow? The romance!” Niamph dramatically put her hand to her chest.
Billy laughed at her theatrics. “Itwasromantic, actually. We got snowed in…just the two of us…gave us time to talk.”
“Oh my days, you got it on, didn’t you?”
“We found common ground and—” Her ears burned. “We got it on, yes.”
Niamph looked at her watch. “It’s lunch time. I want all the details.” She returned to her desk and grabbed her jacket and purse. “Come on, I’m buying.”
