Page 208 of Modern Romance September 2025 5-8

‘What do you do, Jane?’

‘Do?’

‘For work.’

‘Right.’ She blinked those wide-set blue eyes, as if he’d dragged her back into the present from some absorbing thought or other. ‘I’m a lawyer.’

He tilted his head, thoughtfully.

‘That is to say, I have my law degree and was admitted to the bar, but I actually work in the not-for-profit sector.’

‘Charities?’ he asked, for some reason not surprised. Despite her almost excessive beauty and confidence, there was something vulnerable and sweet about her, too. He could imagine her caring a little too much—the opposite of him, then.

She nodded, and her blond hair, which she’d styled in loose, voluminous waves, bobbed around her face, so he itched to reach out and touch it. To touch her.I’m celibate.The words chased around and around in his mind, making him wonderwhy.Clearly, it wasn’t a lack of sensual need and desire—he’d felt that flare between them the night before, and her attraction to him had been as unmistakable as his own.

‘Which sector?’

‘Mostly, I deal with homelessness, though I’ve just come off a maternity contract working for people leaving domestic violence. We helped get them set up in shelters and whatever else was needed. Oftentimes, these people are leaving with absolutely nothing, so it involves sourcing clothes, computers, new phones and phone numbers so they can apply for jobs, everything.’

He leaned closer, focusing on her with razor-sharp intensity. ‘Did you always want to work in charities?’

She tilted her head to the side thoughtfully. ‘I guess so.’

‘And the law degree was the best way to do that?’

‘Actually, I tend to work on the legal side of these foundations, so yes.’ She nodded. ‘But also—’

He waited for her to continue, wondering at the slight pause, the flushing of her cheeks. She sipped her champagne then leaned forward, mirroring his body language. And when she shifted, her legs moved, too, so her knees brushed against his and he felt a tightening in every cell of his body.

I’m celibate.

‘I guess you could say I’m also in the family business.’

‘Your parents are lawyers?’

‘My father is,’ she said with a wave of her delicate, fine-boned hand. Her skin was so flawless, like honey and caramel all melted together.

‘In the same sector?’

‘Human rights. Edward Fisher. You might have heard of him.’

‘Edward Fisher is your father?’

She nodded once.

‘Impressive. He’s achieved a lot.’

Her smile was tight. ‘Yes.’

‘You must be very proud.’

‘Must I?’ She sighed then. ‘Sorry, we’re not close, but yes, I’m proud of the work he’s done.’

Fascinating. Dangerous. Zeus knew he should walk away. Make up an excuse, leave, just like he’d done the night before, then delete her number. Change his if he had to. Because Jane was the last woman he should be spending time with at this point of his life. Right now, when it was imperative that he make the smart decision and marry someone who would be right for him, he couldn’t afford to waste time with a woman who had the potential to scuttle all his plans.

Except…it was just dinner. He could spend some time with Jane, see where it went. Philomena had been his friend for a long time; she wasn’t going anywhere. If he decided to suggest marriage to her, he could do that in a week, a fortnight, a month. In the meantime, he was free to do what he wanted, just as he always had.

But the sooner you’re married, the better, a voice in his head chided him. Then, he could set aside the worry about inheriting the company. He could formalise his ownership, and his father’s indiscretion would lose any power to hurt him.