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said, “As I already told you, I didn’t have anything against Laurel’s children, and they certainly weren’t the reason things between us ended.” At

      Julia’s raised brows, he added, “The relationship simply ran its course.”

      Julia nodded. But did she believe him? And why did he care if she did?

      “Are you seeing anyone now?” she surprised him by asking.

      “That’s a little personal, don’t you think?”

      “Personal, but relevant. So, are you?”

      “No. I’m between relationships.” He waited a beat, then asked, “What about you?”

      “That’s both personal and irrelevant.”

      Alec ground his molars together. God, the woman was exasperating. And he had to work with her for who knew how long. It was just his luck.

      “Let’s get back to your friend Karen. As I said, she seems nice enough, but I’m not interested. Attraction is hard to quantify.” His instantaneous attraction to the prickly woman seated beside him being a case in point. “I date women I find engaging, exciting.”

      “And deep, no doubt.”

      Julia’s lips twitched, leaving him with the impression she was laughing at him.

      “You think I’m shallow?”

      She sobered at that and glanced away. “I’m sorry. That was rude. I’m not being paid to pass judgments.”

      Her answer was hardly reassuring. She pointed in the direction her friend had gone.

      “For the record, Karen’s ex is a total deadbeat.

      Gordie hasn’t seen Logan or their girls in more than a year, nor has he paid child support. If not for Karen’s parents, Logan wouldn’t have a roof over his head, much less be playing T-ball. So, she tends to come on a little strong when she realizes a man is both unmarried and gainfully employed.”

      Bitterness welled in Alec’s throat as he recalled his own childhood. Even parents who stayed married could be deadbeats, he thought.

      “You’ll have to work on that,” Julia remarked. Her tone was clipped.

      “What?”

      “That look of supreme distaste. She’s not a gold digger. She’s just looking for companionship and a father figure for her kids.”

      He didn’t bother trying to correct Julia’s assumption that he’d been thinking about Karen. The last thing he wanted to talk about was his parents. Instead, he decided to shift the focus of their conversation. “What about you? You’re a single mom, too. Are you looking for those things?”

      She shook her head. Despite the heat, her tone was pure frost when she replied, “My kids and I are fine on our own.”

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