She lifted her head. "Then behappy."
"She wants me to finda husband, but we both know I'm destined to be single forever." Em stepped away, almost like she was ashamed. Then she placed a silly hat on her head and modeled it. "What do you think of thiswolfhat?"
Belle covered her lips not to laugh. "It will look fabulous in your legal career as you meet your clients. You can represent all the wolves. And no, you don't have to besingle."
"I've not met a guy I can stand being with for more than a few months." Em tugged the hat off her head and put it down. "Wolves would be nicerclients."
"The life of alawyer."
Belle turned toward the huge window and saw Peter and his strong shoulders, which had held her tight last night. The door chimed as it opened, and Belle fixed her hair behindherear.
"There is Peter.He'searly."
Em's mouth dropped open. "I get to meet Mr.Monopolyhere?"
She turned to her friend and swallowed. "Be nice. His name is PeterMorgan."
A moment later, he wrapped his arms around her, and she smelled his woodsy scent. A lightness entered her heart as she hugged him. "Peter."
"Belle."
"You'reearly."
He pulled away, but the flutters in herstomach remained. Then he took her hand and laced their fingerstogether.
"The meeting ending with everyone telling me yes. It makes it faster if I stare down my employees until theycomply."
She smiled. His brown eyes were mesmerizing. She could see how someone who didn't know him might be intimidated. "Well, that is onestrategy."
He stared at Em's blonde hair and blue eyes."Introduce me to yourfriend."
She opened her mouth. She had almost forgotten the world existed. She then shookherhead.
"Peter Morgan, this is Emily Callahan. Em, this is PeterMorgan."
He held out his hand to shake hers. "Nice tomeetyou."
She shook his hand, and Belle felt her pulse increase. Peter kept his other hand around her waist, as he said, "Emily, I hopeyou don't mind, but I had my secretary create a calendar of options for you later today. I want to steal Belle away, but she's been worried about you. So how does jet skiing or a midnight kayak adventure or anything elsesound?"
Her lips parted. "I'm going jetskiing?"
He handed her a folder. "Anything you want. The adventure'sonme."
She clutched it to her chest like shewould refuse to let it go. "This sounds way fun, and I'm sure the guys will love spending time without me. But do you think I could talk with my friend tomorrow for a little while? Coffee or somethinglikethat?"
Belle's heart fell in her chest. "Of course, Em. We're alwaysfriends."
Em sashayed to the door. "So now that it's settled, let's get lunch so you can be whisked away onyour romance, and I'll head off on myadventure."
Belle held him still as Em went forward. She then whispered to him. "Peter?"
He scratched hishead. "Yeah?"
She lowered her gaze. "I don't want to be the girl who ditches her friend foraguy."
He traced her face with his hand. "You aren't. You're sweet. She's going to have fun tonight, and right now we'll get lunchtogether.Relax."
Em motioned for them to come to the door. Belle and Peterfollowed.
