Waiting for Cary Grant Read Free Page B

Lana wanted to live in a world where love conquers all, the good guys win and there’s a happy ending. Counseling traumatized kids came with vicarious sadness. And she had no ready explanation for Kathy. The defective wheel shouldn’t have been on the truck. The truck shouldn’t have hit her family.
    She adored Cary Grant movies because love and hope flourished and usually culminated in an engagement ring.
    In Every Girl Should Be Married, love triumphed and Cary wanted to be caught even though he didn’t realize it till the end.
    She remembered Harlan Michaels. She thought his picture should be in the dictionary next to arrogance. Why didn’t they make them like Cary Grant anymore?

Chapter Six
    S tephanie had made plans to see Lyla, her best friend and only balm to the insanity of her current litigation schedule.
    “This table is reserved.” The waitress snapped when Lyla and Stephanie pulled out chairs at the best table adjacent to the dance floor after picking up drinks.
    “Reserved for us,” Lyla said.
    “No. Reserved for people who paid for dinner,” the waitress snapped.
    “People will buy us dinner,” Lyla sat down.
    “Most lawyers wouldn’t pull you back from a speeding truck. They’d push you in front of the truck and take the case. Stephanie, sit down and drink,” Lyla commanded.
    “I think he did it instinctively.” Stephanie sipped her champagne.
    “Can’t you drink a Cranberry Cosmo like everyone else?”
    “I’m an old fashioned girl. I like champagne.”
    “There’s something about him.” Stephanie thought about telling Lyla about feeling Harlan’s pounding heart. The feel of his fear. She changed her mind. It seemed too private.
    “Hottie at 12 o’clock.” Lyla said. At their bar, Lyla insisted on identifying the good looking men’s location by hours on the clock.
    Stephanie turned and looked at the hot young animal across the room. She nodded.
    Filled with good looking young men, and a friendly atmosphere, it was a restaurant where any woman who said she was alone by choice had credibility. Stephanie and Lyla liked to go there for credibility.
    “He’s intimidating. There’s something kind of hot about him though.”
    “Low levels of fear and excitement produce similar physiological responses. People become confused. You’re a little frightened by Harlan. He’s a successful lawyer.”
    “Are you saying that I don’t know the difference between scared and attracted?” Stephanie asked louder than she intended. Sometimes Lyla got on her nerves.
    All ten men at the counter leaned forward. One smiled at Stephanie.
    “No. Just that one can be similar to the other. Maybe you’re frightened but excited. Or excited but frightened. What’s that woman doing in here? She looks like a Victoria’s Secret Model.” Lyla sounded outraged.
    Stephanie followed the direction of Lyla’s head. Harlan Michaels sat with a big-breasted blonde.
    “That’s him. That’s Harlan Michaels.”
    “From the look of those fake nails and breast implants, he’s not practicing Environmental Law. HA!” Lyla said.
    “I just want to do a good job.” Stephanie crunched her napkin.
    “I know. But watch out for Harlan Michaels. He wants to win this lawsuit. And you’re getting in his way. Stay strong. Keep a waxed upper lip.”
    Stephanie remembered being pulled back against his taut body. If it hadn’t been for Harlan, she’d be splattered on the pavement now. She’d felt gratitude and irritation at the same time. Like everything about Harlan Michaels, her feelings about him were paradoxical.
    She had to be at a deposition with him tomorrow. For the first time in weeks, she pondered what to wear the next day. Should she go shopping? Did she have the right pumps? Some of Harlan’s shoes cost more than hers. How irritating.
    “Lyla,” Stephanie leaned over and whispered.
    “I have a thing for Harlan.” She clutched her cocktail napkin tightly.
    “Duh.” Lyla laughed.
    “He’s hot. And