Icebreaker Read Free Page B

blind eye to his “shortcomings,” as one of them put it. It was different for her: all it would take was one Oliver type lapse of judgment on her part, and she’d be fired. She hated that there was a double standard, but there was nothing she could do about it.
    “Had a little bit too much to drink last night, and when I got in the cab to take me home, this was the only address I could remember.”
    Oliver yawned again, running a chunky hand through the thick tangle of his black hair. He wasn’t what you’d call traditionally attractive: he was slightly overweight, and his nose was a little too big for his face. Yet he bagged any woman he wanted to, mainly because he was one of those effortlessly charming men who could flatter the clothes off even the most resistant female. He was smart as hell, and funny, too.
    Sinead sat down next to him. “How’s the hangover?”
    Oliver’s eyes rolled up in his head dramatically. “Ever wonder what it’s like to have an ice pick driven into your skull repeatedly?”
    “I don’t have to wonder: I get migraines, remember?” She patted his shoulder. “C’mon, I’ve got some aspirin in my desk drawer.”
    “Sinead O’Brien: always prepared. I bet you were a Girl Scout.”
    “Shut up.”
    With Oliver wincing every step of the way, they walked down the long, carpeted hall to her office.
    “Do you have to be in court this morning?” Sinead asked.
    “Stop yelling.”
    “I’m not yelling. Do you have to be in court this morning?” Sinead stage-whispered.
    “Yep.”
    Oliver peered at her with disdain. “What are you so chipper about this morning?”
    “I got a call from Kidco Corporation, the company that owns the New York Blades. They asked me if I’d be interested in defending one of the team’s star players, Adam Perry, in an assault case.”
    “What’s the dude being charged with?”
    “Assault causing bodily harm of another player. A suburban Philadelphia DA who’s up for reelection brought the charges. Kidco wants to meet with me ASAP to discuss the case further.”
    “Sounds like it could be primo.” Oliver looked her up and down. “You look devastatingly beautiful today. Have I mentioned that?”
    “Shut up.”
    “You do. How come you and I have never gone out?”
    “I don’t date coworkers.”
    “For now.” Oliver sighed dreamily. “Ever hear of Tina Andreas?”
    “No.”
    “Some socialite gazillionairess. She’s divorcing a real schmuck. Unfortunately, they didn’t sign a prenup, so this putz is going after half her money. She’s retaining me, of course. Anyway, she’s gorgeous.”
    “You’ve slept with her already, haven’t you?”
    “Hell yeah.”
    “How did you lure her into your bed?”
    “Drugged her.”
    “Oliver!”
    Oliver grinned. “How do you think, babe? I turned on the charm. Explained to her how we were going to demolish this guy in court. Told her if she needed anything— anything —I was there for her. Apparently she needed a good shtupping.”
    “Charming.”
    “Well, I am known for going above and beyond for my clients,” Oliver wisecracked.
    “In a manner of speaking.”
    Even though Oliver’s “relationships” were purely sexual, they still reminded Sinead of how she awoke in an empty bed day after day. “What if I never find anyone else, Oliver?”
    Oliver looked dumbstruck. “You kiddin’ me? With your killer bod and great big brain? You will. Trust me.”
    “If you say so.” Sinead kissed his cheek. “You always make me feel better. Thank you.”
    “You’re very welcome, Sinead. And screw the aspirin. Can I have one of your migraine pills?”

    Sinead strode confidently into the offices of Kidco Corporation. Unlike the rest of her family, she’d never been a sports fan. Her father had fallen hard and fast for baseball the minute he’d set foot on American soil from Ireland. Sinead remembered him bringing the whole family to a Mets game when she was about six, and being bored senseless. Both