Blue Smoke

waiting for you to finish partying.”
    And if you had a headache, she thought, why the hell didn’t you get your own aspirin sooner? Men could be such babies. “I might’ve finished partying earlier if I’d known you were here. Fran’s pregnant.”
    “Hmm?”
    “My sister Francesca. She and Jack found out they’re going to have a baby. Her face could’ve lit up Baltimore when she told me.”

    “Didn’t they just get married?”
    “It’s been a couple years, and they’ve been trying almost since the get-go. We tend to head straight for the nursery in my family. Bella’s already had three, and is making noises about having one more.”
    “Four kids in this day and age. It’s irresponsible.”
    Easing down on the arm of the chair, she gave his shoulder a rub. “That’s what you get with a big Italian Catholic family. And she and Vince can afford it.”
    “You’re not thinking about popping one out every couple years, are you?”
    “Me?” She laughed, gulped down water. “Kids are way down the road for me. I’m just really getting started on my career. Speaking of which, I had my first major case today. Did you hear about that building on Broadway, untenanted apartment building, single victim?”
    “I didn’t have time for the news today. I put in twelve hours. And spent a lot of that tap-dancing for a potential client, a major one.”
    “That’s great, about the major account.”
    “I don’t have it yet, but I’m working on it.” His hand, long fingers, narrow palm, ran gently over her leg. “I’ve set up a dinner with him and his wife, Thursday night. Wear something special, will you?”
    “Thursday? Luke, my parents are coming back from Italy on Thursday. We’re having dinner at the house. I told you.”
    “So, you can see them on Friday, or over the weekend. For God’s sake you live right down the street. This is a major account, Cat.”
    “Understood. And I’m sorry you won’t be able to make it for the welcome back dinner.”
    “Are you hearing me?” The hand on her leg clenched into a fist. “I need you with me. This is the kind of socializing I need to do to land this account. It’s expected. It’s already set up.”
    “I’m sorry. My evening’s already set up, and was before you booked Thursday night. If you want to reschedule, I’ll—”
    “Why should I reschedule?” He pushed out of the chair, threw out his arms. “This is business. This is a major opportunity for me. It could mean the promotion I’ve been working toward. You all but live withyour family as it is. What’s the big freaking deal about eating some damn spaghetti, when you can do the same thing any other time?”
    “Actually, we’re having manicotti.” But she pushed down the spurt of irritation as she got to her feet. “My parents have been gone nearly three weeks. I promised I’d be there unless I got called out on a case. They’re going to come home to the news that their oldest daughter is having her first child. This is major in my world, Luke.”
    “So what I need doesn’t register?”
    “Of course it does. And if you’d asked me before making these plans, I’d have reminded you that I was already committed, and you could have suggested another night.”
    “The client wants Thursday, the client gets Thursday.” He snapped it out as temper ruddied his cheeks. “That’s how it works in my world. Do you have any idea, any conception, how competitive financial planning is? How much time and effort it takes to swing a multimillion-dollar account?”
    “Not really.” And it was probably her lack that she couldn’t care less. “But I know you work hard, and I know it’s important to you.”
    “Yeah, that shows.”
    When he turned away, she rolled her eyes behind his back. But she stepped forward, prepared to soothe. “Look, I’m really sorry. If there’s any way you can move it to another night, I’ll—”
    “I just told you.” He threw out his arms again as he spun around. And the back of his hand caught her sharply on the cheek.
    She jerked back, her eyes going huge as she pressed her fingers to the sting.
    “Oh God, oh my God, Cat. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—Did I hurt you? Oh Jesus.” He took her arms, and his face was as stunned as she imagined hers was. “It was an accident. I swear.”
    “It’s all right.”
    “You just walked right into it. I didn’t expect . . . I’m so fucking clumsy. God, let me see. Is there a bruise?”
    “It was