“She is,” he agrees as he walks back behindhis desk, and I can’t help but follow him. I want to get closer tothe window and take in the magnificent view. I lean against hisdesk with my arms crossed and get lost in the landscape.
“Phenomenal, isn’t it?” My uncle swivels inhis chair next to me, mirroring my arms.
“Totally,” I say transfixed.
We’re quiet for a moment before he says, “So,Ryan. He’s an interesting boy.”
I immediately snap to attention. “Yes he is,”I answer, and I’m scared he’s going to tell me to stop seeinghim.
I search my uncle’s face for any kind of hintof what he’s thinking. I’ll give it to the Remington men; they canconceal their emotions like none other.
“I don’t think he’s slept since you asked himto present the logo ideas.”
“Driven, that’s good.”
“He wants to impress you,” I smirk. “Hell, Iwant to impress you.”
My uncle looks up at me surprised. “Alana,you do impress me. You’re a strong, intelligent young woman who isat the top of her class at a prestigious law school.”
“There are plenty of young, intelligent womenwho are at the top of their class at prestigious law schools,” Icounter diffidently.
“So what’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing, except competition.”
He cocks an eyebrow at me.
“Okay then, you know what really impressesme?”
“What?” I draw my brown eyes down to his.
“You stand by a man whose occupation haswomen throwing themselves at him on a nightly basis. I don’t knowhow many young girls who would be able to do that. I don’t know howmany grown women who would be able to do that,” he grunts.
“Trust me, it’s not easy,” I scoff.
“I’m sure it’s not. And that’s exactly mypoint. You endure. You do it with your father and with yourboyfriend. And that ability will give you the edge you need in thecompetition department,” he says, nodding self-assured. “It’s notgoing to hurt that you have my law firm on your resume either,” hewinks.
I grin down at him. My uncle, the voice ofencouragement.
“Now, if you’re ready,” he joshes, turningback to his desk, “there’s work to be done.”
My smile broadens. I’m totally ready.
“Did you buy a new wardrobe?” I look down ata bed that’s covered with clothes with the tags still on them.
Ryan comes out of the bathroom towel-dryinghis hair, “I couldn’t decide what to wear so I bought aselection.”
“You bought Michael Kors’ spring line.”
He laughs lightly then goes back into thebathroom. “Pick something out for me,” he yells, the scent of hisbody spray drifting into the room. It’s yummy.
I sift through the clothes; Ryan is meetingwith my uncle and the other partners today to look over his mockups. If they like anything they see, Ryan will have the task ofcreating the law firm’s official logo. It’s not only a hugeundertaking, it’s a big break in his potential career.
I pick out a navy suit and match it with alight blue pin-striped tie that I think will bring out his eyes,along with a white dress shirt.
He walks back out of the bathroom, glancesdown at my selection and smiles, “I was leaning towards thatsuit.”
As we finish getting dressed, I can feel theanxiety radiating off him. I can’t say I blame him for beingnervous; he’s about to meet four gods on Mount Olympus.