These Foolish Things Read Online Free PDF Page A

ringers. I checked
up on you. College softball champ. Nice.”
    I could warm myself on the light in those eyes, Liz mused.
She tightened her crossed legs to suppress the shaking.
    “We’re legit. Millie and I are both attorneys for this firm.
You can check our billables. We played the entire season for the team, not just
the one game. We just happen to be very, very good at softball.”
    “Are you a couple?”
    Liz sighed. “Why does everyone assume that all female
softball players are lesbians?” If I was, she thought, do you think I would
have kissed you? “Neither of us is gay. Millie has a boyfriend and I’m…” her
voice faltered as years of rejection tightened her throat, “working too hard
for Dan. It doesn’t leave me a lot of time,” she finished lamely.
    “Sorry. You’re right. I’ll remember that for next year. On
another note,” his voice became serious. “Any chance we can settle this thing
right here, right now?”
    Liz shook her head, remembering Dan’s instructions. She knew
that, had she not been dealing with two of the most pig-headed men on the
planet, she could settle it without an appearance. However, Dan wanted his
courtroom fees and the client was happy to pursue the suit all the way to the
end.
    “Today? I don’t think so, but I’ll be happy to take an offer
back to Mr. Randazzo after court.” Liz offered.
    Ty looked at her thoughtfully. “Think you’re going to win?” he
asked.
    Liz tried to be nonchalant. “I’d say my chances are good. My
client and Attorney Dennis have made it clear that they wish to argue the
motion. I’m just following my orders.”
    Ty laughed softly, another sound that had a disturbing, yet
pleasurable effect on Liz. “They tried that line at Nuremberg. Didn’t work.”
    Liz laughed. “You’re equating a wholesale plumbing supplies
contract with Nazi war crimes?”
    “My client is,” said Ty and they both laughed. Liz felt the
familiar knot in her stomach she’d felt when he’d been tangled up with her. She
couldn’t let herself think along those lines. There was too much potential
pain.
    “Forgive my asking, but Tyrone is a name you don’t hear very
often. Are you named for a family member?” Liz couldn’t believe she’d had the
nerve to ask.
    Ty smiled. “My mother had a crush on Tyrone Power. Ever hear
of him?”
    Don’t assume I’m ignorant, Counselor. “Yes, I have. ‘Witness
for the Prosecution’ is one of my all-time favorites, I’ve seen ‘Prince of
Foxes’ and I believe he played Zorro at least once. In addition, he was a very
handsome son of a gun and I see why your mother had a crush on him. Do I pass
the test?” Liz’s smile faded somewhere below her eyes.
    Ty noticed the slight chill in her tone. “You pass. I’m
impressed. Most people don’t make the connection.” He smiled. “I guess I should
have learned not to assume anything where you’re concerned, Liz.”
    The man’s innate charm was not lost on Liz, who squeezed one
hand into a fist. Don’t let him distract you, Girl, she reminded herself. Liz
smiled back at him. “A lot of people see the blonde hair and treat me as if I’m
the village idiot.” Her smile broadened. “Besides, I understand obsessed
mothers and how it affects their children.”
    Ty looked puzzled. “I don’t understand.”
    “My mother’s grand obsession was Pride and Prejudice,” Liz
explained. Ty nodded. Liz continued. “I don’t know how many times my mother
read the book and saw the movie. I’m guess I’m just happy she went with
‘Elizabeth’ and not ‘Greer Garson’.” Liz chuckled herself. “If I’d been a boy,
she might have named me Fitzwilliam or Darcy.”
    Ty said so softly, Liz wasn’t sure she’d actually heard him
or imagined it, “I’m glad you weren’t a boy.”
    Before she could question him about the comment, the bailiff
announced, “All rise.”
    Ty and Liz hastily took their appropriate positions behind
their tables. The bailiff continued