He tipped his head to the side and seemed to be choosing his words. “With deep concern,” he finally said. “And a dash of pent-up fury that someone had hurt you.”

Leigh’s stomach tightened. “He did?”

“Yes. It was very sexy, actually. I can see why you’re hot for him.”

She plunked her elbows on the desk and dropped her head into her hands. “Javi! What am I going to do?”

He laughed, and she looked up.

“Don’t do anything,” he said. “Just enjoy it.”

“He’s a cop.”

“So?”

“So, he’s investigating one of my clients.” She’d been thinking about this fact all day. The more she thought about it, the more she realized it had potential to be a problem. “It feels a little—I don’t know—fuzzy, ethically. What if he’s manipulating me to get information about his case?”

Javi’s face turned pitying. “Leigh, listen to yourself.”

“What?”

“You sound paranoid.”

“I can’t help it.”

“Not everyone has some hidden agenda.”

“You know, you’re not nearly cynical enough to be a lawyer.”

Shaking his head, Javi stood up. “You have a hot man who’s totally into you. Just enjoy the ride. Stop analyzing every damn thing.” He opened the door and looked back at her. “Let yourself have fun, for once.”

He walked out, leaving her frustrated and distracted. She’d been here for three hours, and she’d managed to accomplish almost nothing productive because she couldn’t focus.

Her phone chimed from the desk and she snatched it up.

Not Brandon.

She ignored the jab of disappointment as she tried to place the number. She didn’t know it.

“Leigh Larson,” she said, turning back to her computer.

“Hi.”

It was a male voice, but she didn’t recognize it. The caller cleared his throat.

“This is Cooper Collins. You gave me your business card?”

Leigh’s pulse picked up. “Hey, Cooper, what’s up?” And why have you been dodging my calls?

“I need to meet with you.”

Something about his tone put her on edge.

“Okay . . . well, I can make room tomorrow morning if—”

“It needs to be today.”

“Why?”

“It’s about Vanessa.”

Her heart skittered. She knew he’d been holding out on her.

“Cooper, if you have information about Vanessa, you need to give it to the police.”

“I can’t. They’re the last people I can talk to about this.”

Leigh’s stomach clenched. “How come?”

“Look, you came to me, remember? And I talked to you twice, even though I didn’t want to,” he said. “Can’t you just meet up with me? It’s important.”

*   *   *