Passion Play

Chapter 2

“I need a boyfriend.” Rose puffed the words as she and Iris continued their five-mile jog through the Park of Roses on Saturday morning.

It was the last day of spring, the day before the longest day of the year. Even this early on a Saturday morning, the park was busy with cyclists, walkers and other runners. Rose jogged beside Iris past the tennis courts. The row of maple trees on their left formed a canopy over them. They continued down the incline to the music of the birdsong around them.

“I thought you’d given up on men.” Iris’s strides were synchronized to Rose’s, the result of years of jogging together.

Her youngest sister’s lemon-yellow jersey and navy blue biker shorts were cheerful contrasts to Rose’s steel-gray jersey and black shorts. They veered to the right at the bottom of the hill.

“A fake one for my reunion. Remember?” Rose frowned into the distance. Ben’s fair features and wavy dark hair superimposed themselves over the park’s picnic area. She briefly squeezed her eyes shut to dispel the objectionable image.

“Do you have any candidates?” Iris’s voice became increasingly breathless as she expended more energy on the path.

“Not even one.” Rose had searched her mind Friday night after dinner with her former classmates: work, church, neighbors, anyone.

“What about Leroi? You’ve worked with him for years.”

“He’s dating someone.” Rose leaned forward and shortened her stride as she climbed the incline that led to the high school. Her words came out in puffs. “Besides, Leroi’s successful. And intelligent. And good-looking. But he doesn’t. Hold a candle. To Ben.” And she needed someone whose looks would eclipse her ex-fiancé’s.

“You’re in luck.” Iris took a breath. “I know someone. He’d be perfect. For your assignment.”

“Who?” Rose crested the hill with Iris. Her pulse and breathing slowly returned to normal.

“Donovan Carroll. Also goes by ‘Van.’ He’s Ty’s friend. Vice president of sales. For Anderson Adventures.”

“How’s he look?” Rose looked at Iris, reluctant to believe her sister had the answer to her problem.

“Six-three, six-four. Clean shaven. Classically handsome. Shaved head. Built like a football player.”

So far, so good. “Smart?”

“Very. And charming.” Iris smiled.

“Sounds perfect.” Almost too good to be true. She wiped the sweat from her eyes. What’s wrong with him?

“Ty’s cousin would be, too. But he’s recovering from his breakup.”

“I remember.” Rose felt an empathetic tug in her heart. “You told me.”

“I don’t think your plan would work if both of you brought baggage to it.”

“I agree.”

Two male joggers were advancing toward them. They had the long, lean, well-muscled look of professional athletes or narcissistic gym rats. Their naked torsos glistened with sweat like a neon sign flashing, Warning: Heartbreak Ahead. They caught Rose’s gaze. Their confident smiles seemed to ask, “Do you like what you see?” Rose’s scowl answered, “No, go jump in a lake.” The men looked away. Wise move, boys.

“Maybe Lil knows someone, too.” Iris’s suggestion redirected Rose’s attention.

“Can’t ask Lil.” They reached the end of their path. Rose turned as they jogged back to their cars. “She thinks I should go to the reunion alone. Ben would love that.”

How could she possibly go to her law school reunion alone while Benjamin attended with his pregnant wife? The idea made her want to throw up. Benjamin would think she hadn’t gotten over him. She wouldn’t let him believe that.

Rose glanced toward Iris, who’d fallen silent beside her. She took a deep breath. “I’d like to meet Van.”

Iris nodded. “Great. I’ll set it up.”

“Lunch next week?” Rose heard the tension in her voice.

“Why rush?”

Rose shrugged her shoulders. They’d just passed the high school and were heading back to the incline. She hated hills. “The sooner I meet Van.” She paused to breathe again. “The sooner I’ll know. Whether I need to find someone else.”

Iris chuckled softly. “I think you’ll agree. Van is perfect. For the role.”

“Hope so.” The stakes were high. The risks were steep. She’d already committed to this plan. She couldn’t back out. Rose had to convince Benjamin and her former classmates that she hadn’t given him a moment’s thought since she’d broken up with the lying, cheating snake almost two years ago.

Rose’s shoulders slumped. Why did she have the feeling she was casting the role of a lifetime?

* * *

Donovan hadn’t realized he’d had expectations when he’d accepted Tyler’s invitation to have lunch with him, Iris and her sister, the lawyer. But he was disappointed by the quiet, aloof woman Iris introduced as Rose. It was an appropriate name for someone who seemed covered in thorns. Donovan had assumed Iris’s sister would be as warm and personable as Iris. He tried again to engage her in conversation.

“Where did you go to law school, Rose?” Donovan pitched his voice to be heard above the chatter from the surrounding tables in the crowded neighborhood restaurant.

“University of Michigan.” Her brief glance was dismissive. She returned her attention to her salmon salad.

“That surprises me.” The spicy scent of his chicken parmesan lured Donovan back to his own entrée.

“Why?” Rose’s head snapped up at Donovan’s comment. “Do you think I wouldn’t be able to get into such a highly ranked law school?”

“Rose, I’m sure that wasn’t what Van meant.” Iris stared at her older sister beside her. She sounded surprised by Rose’s reaction.

“That’s not what I meant.” Donovan was relieved to know Rose wasn’t always this prickly. What had caused her uncharacteristic response? “Iris told me you and your sisters were born and raised in Columbus, home of The Ohio State University. I’m surprised you’d go to OSU’s rival school.”

Rose looked down her nose from the other side of the table. “I wasn’t concerned about their rivalry. The University of Michigan has a good law school.”

Tyler lowered his glass of iced tea. “Xavier and I were born in Columbus, too. But we chose to go out of state for college. That’s where we met Van.”

Rose nodded as though she was filing away the information on how he’d met the Anderson cousins.

Donovan heard the note of caution in Tyler’s voice as his friend and coworker waded into the conversation. Perhaps Tyler also was caught off guard by Rose’s behavior during this lunch. He’d thought Tyler had met Iris’s two sisters. Did Rose seem different from the first time he’d met her?

Maybe Donovan should stop while he was ahead. He couldn’t imagine Rose agreeing to help the shelter pro bono. She didn’t appear to be a very compassionate person. But he couldn’t convince himself to leave the lawyer alone. He needed legal assistance to speak for his clients and their families. Besides, something about her chilly, judgmental demeanor challenged him, and Donovan had always been attracted to challenges.

“Are you saying you’re not a Buckeye fan?” Donovan allowed his gaze to roam over Rose’s face.

She was lovely. Her skin looked as smooth and warm as honey. Her elegant features were perfect: winged ebony eyebrows, a long, narrow nose, high cheekbones, a pointed chin. Her cocoa-brown eyes were wide and curious and framed by long, thick lashes. Her full, pink lips were classically curved. Such lips were meant for smiling. And kissing.

“I don’t like college sports. I prefer the pros.” Rose pinned him with a stare. “What about you?”

Would she grade me on my answer? “I like all sports, college and pros. Which teams do you like?”

“The Ohio ones, of course.” She shrugged one slender, sexy shoulder. “I just wish they were better.”

Rose earned points for supporting her home teams despite the fact that it had been longer than a while since any of Ohio’s professional franchises had sniffed a championship. It took a lot of perseverance to stick with a team through its darkest seasons. But her chilly personality left her with a scoring deficit because she didn’t seem approachable. Regret settled on his shoulders like a coat. Rose couldn’t provide the legal representation they needed. He wanted someone who cared about the people, not just the process.

Now that he knew he wouldn’t be working with her to represent the shelter and its clients, there was no reason for them to see each other again. Was there?

* * *

Rose considered Donovan in her peripheral vision. Iris had been wrong. Donovan wasn’t right for the role of her fake boyfriend at all. Yes, he was successful and intelligent. But he was too charming. If he attended her reunion, he’d cast a spell over half of the attendees, if not all of them. And he was far too attractive. Rose glanced at him again. Contrary to popular opinion, she believed there was, in fact, such a thing as “too handsome.” And Donovan Carroll fit that description. To perfection. So did Tyler. Judging from the attention the two received from the women at the other tables, Rose’s theory had support. Did Iris notice the stares directed toward their table? How could she not?

Rose took another peek at Donovan. His shaved head was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen. His classically handsome sienna features were hypnotizing. She enjoyed watching his long, elegant hands move. And his bright, hazel eyes made her think wicked thoughts.

No, he wasn’t a good choice for the role he’d unknowingly been auditioning for. Rose had known that the moment she’d seen him walk into the restaurant with Iris and Tyler. Their fake relationship would be blown the minute they showed up at the reunion. She’d have to keep track of the hotel room keys he’d be collecting. She didn’t have time for that. But even with that realization, Rose couldn’t stop auditioning him.

Donovan had settled back onto his seat beside Tyler in the booth. He was staring at his half-empty glass of iced tea as though it held the key to his future.

Rose took a sip of her ice water. “Your office must be very busy preparing for the launch of your latest computer game.”

Iris had told Rose more than she needed to know about Anderson Adventures’ upcoming release, Osiris’ Journey, but it had been wonderful seeing her sister so excited and engaged in the project. It had been the happiest she’d seen Iris in years.

Donovan looked up from his drink. “Iris has done an excellent job with the product launch. Anderson Adventures is breaking all sorts of preorder records with Osiris’ Journey.”

“Thank you for the kind words, Van.” Iris inclined her head. “But I think the preorders are a reflection of the product, not my work.”

Rose glowed as though Donovan’s compliment was meant for her. “Iris is fearless, in addition to being very talented and creative. She’s going to go far. And so will Anderson Adventures, if you stick with her.”

Iris’s cheeks grew pink. “Rosie, Anderson Adventures is already very successful.”

Rose swept a dismissive hand. “Imagine how much more successful they’ll be with you on their team.” She tilted her head. “Are you blushing?”

“I think she is.” Tyler chuckled. He reached across the table and covered Iris’s hand with his own. “You’ve given us the best product launch we’ve ever had. And you’ve helped us establish processes that will continue to grow our customer base.”

Rose lowered her eyes to Iris and Tyler’s joined hands. The genuine caring and affection in that gesture filled Rose with joy for her sister—as well as envy. She looked up, and her eyes were caught by Donovan’s bright, hazel gaze.

She cleared her throat. “So what’s next for Anderson Adventures?”

“We’re working on future releases and our fall catalog.” Donovan straightened.

“We’re also planning a release party with Iris’s help.” Tyler looked to Rose. “You and Lily should join us.”

“Oh, no.” Rose swung her wide-eyed gaze from Tyler to Donovan. “We wouldn’t want to intrude.”

“It’s not an intrusion,” Tyler assured her. “Families are welcome. And we’re bringing back the disc jockey from the internal associates launch.”

“She was a big hit.” Iris grinned. “You and Lily should come. You’d have a great time. I’m planning the party so I should know.”

Rose laughed. “All right, you’ve convinced me. But I want to be there when you invite Lily.”

She looked again at Donovan. Her grin faded as she found his attention fixed on her mouth. The glint in his eyes caused her pulse to trip. His bright gaze lifted to hers. She caught her breath. What was happening? What was he thinking? Donovan blinked, and the moment was gone. What a relief.

Rose lifted her water glass to her lips. Her hand shook just slightly. Now that she’d ruled out the charismatic sales executive for the role of her fake boyfriend, there wasn’t any reason for them to see each other again. Was there?

* * *

“What did you think?” Tyler followed Donovan into his office after lunch.

Tread carefully. We’re talking about Ty’s girlfriend’s sister. Donovan thought highly of Iris, not only for her professional expertise, but also because she made Tyler happy.

“Thanks for introducing me to Rose.” Donovan circled his desk and sank onto the black leather executive chair behind it. “But I don’t think she’d be interested in this project.”

Tyler lowered himself onto one of the gray visitor’s chairs in front of Donovan’s desk. “Rose was a little...”

“Aloof?”

“Yes, but she wasn’t like that the first time I met her.”

“I’d wondered about that.”

“And Iris loves her. She, Rose and Lily are very close. And a lot alike.”

Donovan had wondered about that, too. But why had she been so cold and abrupt during lunch? “Did you tell her that I needed a lawyer?”

“No.” Tyler’s response was swift and definite. “I never mentioned it. I didn’t think you’d want me to.”

“I didn’t.” Donovan rubbed his forehead with his right hand. What should I do now? “I’d hoped to at least tell Rose about the shelter’s situation, but she doesn’t seem very approachable.”

“Do you want me or Iris to speak with her?”

Donovan was shaking his head before Tyler finished his thought. “I don’t want to put either of you in the middle. This is my problem.”

“When are you going to understand that when one of us has a problem, we all have a problem?” Tyler’s frown was chastising. “That’s the way family works.”

“You know it’s hard for me to accept help.” Donovan restrained himself from squirming on his seat.

“This isn’t for you. It’s for the shelter’s clients, the families you’re trying to support.”

“You’re right.” The truth in Tyler’s words brought Donovan up short. “But I’ll be the one to talk with Rose.” If he decided it wouldn’t be a waste of time.

Tyler spread his hands. “There’s no harm in asking her, Van.”

“So I’ve heard.” He’d always hated that saying. “I may be asking too much, though. I need an experienced lawyer who cares about the case, but I also need someone who’s willing to work for free.”

“It’s for an important cause.”

Donovan swung his seat to better contemplate the cerulean, cloudless sky from his office window. Summer finally had landed in Columbus. They’d had a long and difficult winter, followed by a petulant spring. Although born and raised in Chicago—a much colder city—Donovan had lived in Columbus long enough to breathe a sigh of relief when the first rays of summer brought warmer temperatures.

“Most of the board supports filing the statement against allowing the pawnshop to move into our neighborhood. But a few members don’t.” Donovan spun his chair to face Tyler. “It’s hard keeping the board together and focused on the plan. I’d like a lawyer who’s sympathetic to our position so that I’m not pulling both the board and the lawyer.”

“With great power comes great responsibility.” Tyler quoted the line from Marvel Comics’ Spider-Man.

Donovan gave a half smile at the reminder. “The other board members are looking for lawyers, too.” Although Donovan suspected they weren’t having any better luck than he was. No one had called him with recommendations. He swallowed another sigh.

Tyler checked his bronze wristwatch. “I thought you said your response was due next month? Today’s June 22. You’re running out of time.”

And options. “I know. If we don’t find a lawyer who’ll work with us pro bono, I’ll propose that the board members pool our money to pay a lawyer.”

“How do you think that will go over?” Tyler arched a skeptical brow.

“Not well. It’s also a poor precedent to set.”

“If I were you, I’d talk with Whitley before suggesting the board split the bill.” Tyler stood to leave.

“You’re probably right.” The thought of asking his ex-girlfriend for a favor turned his stomach.

As Tyler left his office, Donovan’s thoughts returned to Rose. She would be a far better option than Whitley, but he’d have to offer her a proposal she couldn’t refuse.

* * *

“What did you think?” Iris skipped the more formal greeting when Rose answered her office phone later that afternoon.

Tread carefully. Rose sat at her desk at the law firm of Apple & Spencer LLC. She’d been dreading Iris’s call. She didn’t want to offend her sister, but Iris had been wrong. Donovan wasn’t fake boyfriend material.

“Van seems like a very nice person.” Rose looked away from the documents she was reviewing on her computer screen. “But I don’t think he’s the right man for this plan.”

There was a moment’s surprised silence before Iris responded. “Are you kidding me? Why not?”

“He’s a player.”

“No, he’s not.”

“Are you kidding me?” Rose’s eyebrows jumped toward her hairline. “It’s in his eyes. It’s in his smile. He’s just too charming.”

“Rosie, not every good-looking guy is a player.” Iris’s tone was gentle. “They’re not all like Ben.”

“I know.” Rose squeezed her eyes shut. Consciously, she knew that, but subconsciously, she was still suspicious. “I don’t want to take that risk.”

“What risk?”

Rose opened her eyes. Her attention landed on the black metal inbox on the far corner of her cognac cherrywood desk. She’d emptied her inbox when she’d arrived early this morning. When she’d returned from lunch, it was full again. Her black wire organizer on the opposite end of her desk already was stuffed with project folders. Her cases and workload were multiplying like rabbits.

“Flirting is second nature to men like Van. They probably don’t even realize they’re doing it. If I took him to the reunion, he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from flirting with other women.” Rose rubbed her shoulder. Her gaze drifted to the matching cognac cherrywood bookcase on her left. It was swollen with reference books. Her certificates and awards hung nearby on the eggshell office walls.

“Van isn’t like that.” Iris’s voice was adamant. “He’s one of the good guys.”

“You’ve only known him for three months. Ben fooled me for two years.”

“Ty has known Van for seventeen years.”

Rose froze. “Did you tell Ty that I wanted to check out Van as a possible date for my reunion?”

“Of course not.” Iris seemed insulted by the question. “I’d never do that to you. And I’d slap you if you did something like that to me.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.” Rose rubbed her right shoulder, trying to ease the tension building there.

“It’s all right.” Iris sighed. “Well, if Van’s off your list, do you want to meet Xavier?”

“No, thank you.” Xavier had just broken up with his girlfriend. This probably wasn’t a good time to ask him to pretend to be in love with her.

“Then what are you going to do?”

I wish I knew. “I guess I’ll have to ask Lil if she could recommend someone.”

“Good luck getting Lily to cooperate with your plan. Do you think she even knows anyone who fits your criteria?” Iris sounded dubious.

“I don’t know.” Rose frowned. “But I’m desperate.”

Lily would probably once again try to talk Rose into going to the reunion alone. That was something Rose was not going to do. She’d rather go to the reunion with Donovan “Heartthrob” Carroll than face Benjamin without a date. Unbidden, an image of Donovan came to mind. At least she’d have someone good to look at for the weekend.

Chapter 3

“I can’t stay long, but I did want to ask you for a favor.” Rose smiled as Lily closed the door behind her Monday evening. Rose had called her sister as soon as she’d rung off with Iris that afternoon to ask if she could come by Lily’s house after work.

“If I can, I’d be happy to help you. You know that.” Lily kicked off her shoes before leading Rose down the hallway to her living room.

Rose took off her shoes and followed. She sank onto the powder blue love seat as Lily settled onto the near corner of the matching sofa.

“I found out Friday that Ben’s wife is pregnant.” Rose had given her explanation a lot of consideration on her forty-five-minute drive to Lily’s house.

“Oh, Rose. I’m so sorry.” Concern darkened Lily’s whiskey eyes. “I can understand how that would hurt.”

“Thank you.” Rose had never been comfortable expressing her feelings, but Lily’s caring made it easier. “I’d been uncomfortable about going to my reunion when I thought it was going to be just Ben and his wife. Now that I know his wife is pregnant, I’m even more uneasy.”