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"I’ve hadfatal"

"I appreciate the concern, but you don’t have to worry I’ Josh would be a hard road for anyone"

"ARE YOU TRYING TO get me drunk?" Charity asked when the server left the table

Josh leaned back in his chair "I have no idea what you’re talking about"

"Oh, please You’re the one arned led toward him "Alcohol is not required to have your ith me"

"I know It’s one of your best qualities"

They were having dinner at Margaritaville The place wasn’t too busy on a Sunday night, so they’d gotten a booth in the back Soht added a golden glow to Charity’s brown hair She wore it loose and a little curly--a sexy look he enjoyed Her mouth curved into a smile and there was a look of co he’d been the one to do the satisfying

"Hoas your afternoon?" she asked "You rode through town?"

"Uh-huh I got a lot of support from the locals"

"They know about the race They want you to do well"

At this point he just wanted to get through it without hu nor with hi that could be fixed with a pill or rest and an ice pack

"Hoas Pia?" he asked

"Good We had fun" She shook her head "She knoe’re, um, that we’ve…" She cleared her throat "You know"

"That we’re seeing each other?" He wasn’t sure as so hard about saying that

She looked slightly relieved "That I wasn’t sure about… So that’s e’re doing?"

"Isn’t it?"

She shifted on the seat "I didn’t know You’re not like anyone I’ve ever gone out with You’re fa star"

"She’s a b-list star at best"

"But beautiful and faular person"

He reached across the table and took her hand "The whole fahly overrated, and you are definitely beautiful"

She rolled her eyes

"You don’t believe me?" he asked

"No, but thanks for the couy you see on the poster Not anyot it all back, I wouldn’t want to be him"

She didn’t look as if she believed his about that life you enjoyed"

"Sure, but been there, done that" He squeezed her fingers "I like you, Charity I want to keep seeing you"

"I want that, too"

"Then we have a plan" He pretended worry "It includes sex, right?"

She smiled "If you’re lucky"

"I’m always lucky Didn’t they tell you?"

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

"THIS IS BERNICE JACKSON," Robert said at the next city council rih to be an accountant, but an accountant named Bernice? I don’t think so"

Charity sures," the older woman muttered "How many forensic accountants out there in the world are uy? Of course not"

"If you think that then you shouldn’t care that there isn’t anotherher best not to smile "However temporarily"

"You’re pretty smart," Gladys conceded

"Thank you"

Bernie pulled out a folder and opened it "According tothe infor" She looked up "The total we’re talking about is close to one and a half hter "That much?" she breathed

Marsha paled "How did this happen? How can there be thatto find that out," Bernie promised "I have some paperwork to discuss first You’ll want to look over reement It says that I won’t talk about this case unless subpoenaed My goal is to protect est you have the city attorney look at it before anyone signs it"

Charity watched Marsha nod, as if she approved of what Bernie was saying Charity found herself liking the attractive accountant, even as Gladys scowled at her for not being a ered to check the schedule for the roo up and preferred to use this conference room for her presentations When she had confirmed the times were open, she turned and was surprised to see Robert waiting for her

"Bernie seeood reputation She’ll find out what’s going on" He frowned "The sooner the better forin his tone Sheit’s you, do you?"

"I’ in My office processes the checks If not me, then one oflike that, but not everyone will believe that"

"The ied, then looked at her "It’s Josh, isn’t it?"

The unexpected question

"I saw the two of you at dinner," he continued "You looked…cozy"

"We’re, ah, friends," she began

"I’ who he is The rest of us don’t really stand a chance"

There was so for Josh was inevitable

"It’s not because he’s fauy He cares about people He’s a lot more than his reputation"

Robert’syourself that"