Her answering smile was dazzling. His assistant was pretty enough to be a model and nearly as tall as he was. They had stayed friends after their brief affair, but they’d both moved on, romantically speaking. The chemistry had fizzled out fast. But, capable and bright as she was, Gail Cash was the best assistant he’d ever had, and much more valuable than a girlfriend at this point in his life.

He paid her well. They got along fine.

She opened the passenger-side door and unfolded her long legs, stepping out into the driveway and looking around curiously. “Nice. Very leafy. Look at all those flowers. And are those tomatoes I see around the side?”

The entire garden was in full, glorious bloom. The southern sun had done its magic now that it was May.

“Still green.” Parr joined her. “You must be hungry. We’re probably just in time for supper.” He looked around too. “I wonder what Bobby Joe’s car is doing here. I was sure he and his fiancée would be out and about.”

Something in his tone made Gail turn around. “Don’t you like this girl Bobby Joe is planning to marry?”

“What makes you say that? I hardly know her.”

“Sorry.” Gail studied his closed expression for a few seconds, a puzzled look on her lovely but heavily made-up face.

“Did I give you the impression I don’t like Mary Beth?”

Parr didn’t want anyone, least of all this ex-lover of his, to suspect the truth about his feelings for his brother’s fiancée.

“The few times you’ve mentioned her, your voice was different. Like you were angry with her or something. Maybe upset is a better word.”

“You’re imagining things.” He gave her a playful chuck under the chin. “And hey, I had no idea you ever listened to me that closely.”

“You still haven’t answered my question.”

Parr moved toward the house. “Mary Beth Caine is a wonderful woman. She’s perfect for Bobby Joe. Now come on. I want you to meet Mother before I take you to the motel.”

Gail caught up with him. “Gee whiz,” she teased. “Sounds like old times.”

“Keep it down.”

“Oh, all right.” She stayed close to Parr as they walked toward the front porch.

Before they entered, he stopped and smiled into the sapphire blue eyes of the woman whose striking height nearly equaled his. “We made an agreement, Gail.”

“I know. I know.”

“I couldn’t run the business without you, but let’s not blur the boundaries, okay?”

Before she’d ever set foot in his construction company’s office, he’d set the terms. Flexible hours, excellent pay, no fooling around—ever. It had to be that way. If either of them couldn’t handle working together, she would have to go. Of course he would help her find another, similar job. But he didn’t want to lose her entirely.