Once Smitten & Twice Shy by Darlene Gardner

Author:Darlene Gardner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

2

MATT STEPPED OFF the elevator into the lobby at the law offices of Brandenburg, Brandenburg and Brandenburg—otherwise known as the Triple B or just The Ranch—to complete silence. That is, if he didn’t count the name ringing inside his head.

Contrary Mary Contrino.

He rubbed his forehead, but it wasn’t because of the long hours he’d put in drafting opposition to a motion for summary judgment in a corporate dispute case.

It was because he was supposedly going out on the town tomorrow night with a woman who didn’t exist.

As an attorney, he understood the danger of making rash statements. He was thoughtful, deliberate and precise. So why had he plucked Mary Contrary out of a nursery rhyme and told his friends she was his OWGA?

He pictured the way Amy had looked when he’d practically demanded that she not get in contact with her French OWGA. Her olive skin had been flushed, her full lips pursed, her dark eyes flashing with defiance.

He didn’t know how, but he felt sure it was Amy’s fault he’d invented Contrary Mary Contrino.

The clicking noises the heels of his European leather shoes made on the marble floor cut into the silence of the cavernous building, but not as effectively as the booming voice of the night security guard.

“Lordy, Matt. Ain’t you never heard of TGIF? You’re supposed to be thanking God it’s Friday so you can party, not so you can work late.”

“Evening, Nellie.” Matt stopped at the counter and regarded the woman who bore more than a passing resemblance to his mother. Her brown hair was pulled back from her strong-featured face in a bun so tight it made his head hurt. “I could point out that you’re working late, too.”

“’Course I am. I work nights, child, not days like you’re supposed to.” The security guard made a tsking sound. “Where you going now?”

“To the gym, maybe,” Matt said. “Home, probably.”

She folded her hands across her ample chest. “And how do you expect to meet a woman if you don’t get out more?”

Matt narrowed his eyes. “Have you been talking to my mother? Because you sure sound like her.”

“’Course I do. I got four grown boys of my own, not a one of which would have given me a grandchild if I hadn’t pushed them to find wives first.”

“I’m not getting married any time soon,” Matt said dryly.

“Course you’re not. Before you have a marriage, you gotta have a date.”

“What makes you think I don’t have a date?”

Nellie harrumphed. “You obviously don’t have one tonight. The way you spend all your time working, I’d bet my bloomers you don’t have one tomorrow night, either.”

Matt considered telling Nellie about Contrary Mary, but lying to a woman who reminded him of his mother didn’t seem wise. Besides, he definitely didn’t want to see her without her bloomers.

“I’m a junior employee at a major law firm,” he said. “I don’t have time to date.”

“Man does not live by the law alone,” Nellie declared as Matt’s cell phone sounded.

Saved by the ring, Matt thought.

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