That’s not sexy, Jules told herself. It’s a hairbrush. It’s not sexy.

“Thank you,” she repeated quietly as she reached for the bag.

Their fingertips brushed when she took it. Jules hadn’t done it on purpose, had she?

Her whole body ached with desire at just the slightest touch, and if Vivian said anything on her way out the door, Jules didn’t hear it. Her blood was roaring too loudly in her ears.

Then she was alone. Jules looked blankly at the plastic bag. Well, out of all the things she’d lost in London, including her hairbrush, her common sense, and her sanity, it was nice to get at least one of them back.

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

“Have a good trip?” Ben asked in the car the next morning. “I heard you went to London.”

“Don’t ask,” Jules said. “How was your holiday?”

“Spent it with my folks. Went out with some buddies to a bar on New Year’s. Looks like you went somewhere fancier. I saw photos of you with Vivian on Twitter.”

“Um, yeah. It was pretty fun.”

“Must have been. That was, uh…some outfit.” His voice had a hesitant edge as he clearly tried to walk the line and figure out what was allowed. He wanted to know if Jules would open the door or slam it shut.

Time to slam. “Yeah. Did I remember to forward you Vivian’s itinerary this week?”

He gave in with good grace. “You did. It’s all under control. Hey, you’re from Philly, right? You follow the Eagles?”

“Do I follow the Eagles? Are you serious?” She wasn’t a sports nut, but she was from Philadelphia. Of course she followed the Eagles. What sort of question was that?

Ben laughed. “Thought so. What do you think of this season so far?”

“Okay, except for when we lost to the freaking Cowboys. It was so embarrassing…”

Fifteen minutes passed in no time. Soon they were pulling up to the curb as Vivian descended the steps of her home. Jules, in mid-rant about a lousy referee call, hardly paid any attention to her until she opened the door the very second Ben came to a full stop.

“I swear to God they paid off the ref—oh,” Jules said. “Um. Good morning, Vivian.”

“Good morning, Ms. Carlisle,” Ben said, clearly taken aback.

Vivian ignored Jules as she closed the door but gave Ben one of the coldest looks Jules had ever seen. Her stomach twisted. She’d forgotten all about Vivian’s threat to fire him.

Ben, glancing in the rearview mirror, caught sight of Vivian’s deadly glare. His eyes went wide in surprise.

“Is there some reason we’re not moving?” Vivian asked.

“Sorry,” Ben said quickly and pulled away.

Jules sat in silence, not even daring to look at Vivian.

“You two were awfully chatty when I got in the car,” Vivian said.