They reached the car and Reagan leaned against the trunk, running a hand through her hair. “It was so good. Like toe curling good.”

“Yeah?” Carly asked with a grin.

“Oh yeah,” Reagan breathed out.

“And then you ran.”

“And then I ran.”

“Why?”

Reagan pushed off the car and paced. “Because it was so stupid. And impulsive. And yes, I’ll admit that she isn’t always the nicest person, which I’m assuming is the thought running through your mind right now.”

“Maybe a little.” Carly shrugged. “But I only have that one interaction and the office rumor mill to go on. You’re the one who’s been working with her. How is she with you?”

Reagan stopped pacing and stood with her hands in her front pockets. She shook her head. “I don’t know. I’m guessing that what you saw in her office is what she’s like most of the time. She’s definitely been like that with me. I actually met her last month and we had lunch.”

Carly’s eyes went wide, but Reagan waved her off. “Don’t worry. I’ll tell you about it another time. She wasn’t very nice to say the least.” Reagan took a deep breath and released it. “But there’s still something there. Humor seems to always be in the shadows, hovering there for just the right moment. Then it’s like as soon as she realizes she’s not acting like this buttoned-up, cold person, she wipes away any glimpse into who she really is. My gut keeps telling me that’s how she wants people to see her.”

Carly blinked. “Wow. It sounds like you’re reading her pretty well.”

“I doubt that.”

“Don’t you think it’d be worth it to find out?”

“No, it’s not a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“Well, aside from everything going on in my life right now, she’s a client.”

“Oh, right.”

“Yeah. And while Gwen and I don’t have any written rules about dating a client, it’s just not smart.”

“What if it wasn’t dating? It wouldn’t hurt you to have a bit of fun. Might help take your mind off things.”

Reagan hugged herself and shook her head, a sad smile lifting the corner of her mouth. “No. The biggest thing I’ve learned from being home with my parents over these past few months is that I want a love like they have. I won’t settle for anything less.”

“So, that’s it then?” Carly asked.

“That’s it,” Reagan replied with a sigh.

“Sorry, Reagan.”

She shrugged. “No biggie. Other fish in the sea and all that, right? Plus, it’s just better off this way.” She held back another sigh and grabbed her car keys out of her back pocket. “Want me to drive you to your car?”