Page 79 of Fierce-Matt

“Then I won’t say more. Listen, Matt. You’re my brother and I love you, and though you were a jackass back then, you matured and grew out of it. You’re family and I’ll support you, but I’ve got a soft spot for Anya and always did.”

“You two had little in common. I remember that.”

“We didn’t. She was silly and liked to have a good time. I didn’t always and she brought it out of me.”

“She’s doing it with me,” he said.

“I’m glad. She got taken advantage of by guys. I know that, because she’s said it. I could see it happening too.”

“She’d mentioned the same, as I’ve said why I was single.”

“Women couldn’t put up with your crap,” Phoebe said.

“Yep. I was honest. I told her I wanted to earn her trust.”

“Is that why she came to you for the lawsuit?”

“She wanted you but wasn’t going a few hours away. She settled for me,” he said, laughing.

“It seems to work from what you’re saying. Don’t hurt her. If you do, I’ll have to have my boyfriend hurt you.”

He laughed. “It’s the last thing I want to do.” He turned when there was a knock at the door. “I’ve got to go. I think Anya is back. She had a showing this morning.”

“Hey, is this a secret from Mom and Dad?”

“I’ll tell them tomorrow.”

“Bye, Matt.”

He hung up the phone and tossed it on the counter, then opened the door. “Hi.” He leaned to kiss her. “Look at you all dressed up for work.”

She rolled her eyes. “This dress was the fastest thing for me to put on. I didn’t want to go home and change again.”

It was a sleeveless dress in light blue with a thick, white belt. It had some flow to it when she walked.

Once she slipped her heeled sandals off and removed the belt, it went from professional to summer fun.

“Damn. I can’t believe how quickly you transformed.”

“I do that with a lot of my clothing.”

“How did it go?”

She moved over and sat on the couch. “Well, I did something I’ve never done before and it felt incredible. I know why people do it, but I won’t allow myself to fall into that trap.”

“Color me intrigued. Are you going to share?”

“Color you intrigued? Is that lawyer speak?”

He grabbed her hand and yanked her over his body on the couch. “It made you question me.”

“I don’t think so. I think you’re being snobby.”

“Hardly that. A poor joke. Tell me what you did that you don’t want to do again but felt so wonderful.”

“I lied,” she said. “I never ever lie on the job. I just can’t do it. This is people’s hard-earned money and dreams. Lying serves no purpose. If telling the truth makes me lose a sale, then it does.”

He didn’t expect she’d be someone to lie to get a commission. Unless it had more to do with her father’s property than anything.