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"Was he always a collector of rare coins?" he asks, curiosity getting the better of him.

I chuckle under my breath. "I didn't know him well. It appears so," I add drily.

He turns the coin over when Jeeves motions him. "Do you have any previous appraisals for the individual items in his collection?"

"I'm sure I do, but I haven't found them yet." Not that I've been trying very hard. "What are your initial impressions?"

17

Josie

I pull into Florence's driveway with a sigh. I haven't had a chance to go home and change. I haven't had anything to eat since late morning, and my mind is flying a mile-a-minute.

"I'm sorry I'm late," I tell her when she opens the door.

"It's fine, really," she assures me. "Marin said dinner is just about ready." She stops in front of me and turns around, blocking my way in the narrow hallway. "Can I kiss you?"

"If you want to," I press my lips together to keep from laughing, "but not like you did when I was leaving on Friday."

"Oh." Her face drops. "Never mind, then. I thought we were on the same page." Her shoulders drop.

"Hey." Cupping her cheek, I turn her face to meet my gaze. "I'm hungry. I haven't eaten all day—that's all." I lean in and brush my lips across hers. "So let me eat first, okay?"

"After I feed you?" She presses her body against mine, her heat radiating into me. She searches my eyes before nipping at my bottom lip. She closes her eyes, lost for a moment. "Then can Ihave more of you?" she asks, her mouth against mine. I feel her smile.

"I'm not opposed," I tell her, putting a hand on her chest to put some space between us. "After I eat something. Whatever she's making smells divine."

"Chicken fajitas, no onions. Marin says it's simple. She hopes it won't offend you that she made it."

What does that woman have against me?"It's fine. I'm going to die of starvation if someone doesn't feed me soon," I joke.

Marin pokes her head around the corner. "Dinner's ready when you are." She glances toward me. "What would you like to drink, ma'am? I can make you a margarita, or we have Modelo Reserva."

I look at Florence as we sit down. She already has a Modelo open. I debate for a minute before I sigh. "I'll have a Modelo."

Florence watches me closely and turns to Marin. "Can you make me a margarita?"

"So how was your day?" I ask her after a few hearty bites of food have taken the edge off my hunger.

She lets out a long sigh. "Woodhouse is getting on my last nerve."

"You haven't fired him yet?"

"He's the main person in charge of the charity gala this weekend. I talked to Carole in HR. We agreed it would be better to wait until after the gala to try to avoid the negative publicity. It could have a huge impact on how much we raise."

"That…" I frown. "That somehow seems wrong."

"It's a business decision." She shrugs. "As long as he leaves me alone and there aren't any new complaints against him."

Marin sets the margarita in front of her.

"Thanks, Marin." Florence turns back to me. "For better or for worse, he's good at what he does. Have you gone shopping for a dress?"

I raise an eyebrow in amusement. "I told you. I wear the pants in our relationship."

"Oh?" She pushes the margarita toward me. "This is for you. Don't argue." When I open my mouth to do just that, she adds, "You can wear the pants, but I'm still the boss. I knew you wouldn't ask, so I asked for you." Marin chuckles in the kitchen.

I pick up the margarita and take a sip. "I asked Marin two weeks ago for the name of your couturier. He made me a lovely charcoal tux that will complement your dress beautifully." I put the margarita down and slide the Modelo toward her. "I had them charge it to your account."