All She Ever Wanted - Barbara Freethy [27]
"That's true. Emily and I actually met Drew first. We were all in a chemistry class together freshman year. We worked on some group projects."
"So he knew you from the beginning, when you lived in the dorm."
"Yes, but I was never that close to him. There was something fake about him. I didn't really trust him."
Cole nodded. "I thought the same thing the few times I met him. What about Emily? What did she think of him?"
"She liked him. He made her laugh. They were good friends, at least until Drew and Laura hooked up our sophomore year." Natalie paused, thinking about the equation Cole was putting together. "It doesn't make sense, though. Why would Drew help someone write a book about us and call it fiction? He's married to Laura. And she's not happy about being in the story. She also said Drew is a lawyer now with an eye on a political career. I can't see how he could possibly be involved in this."
"All good points. None of it makes sense," Cole replied. "But we have to start somewhere. I think we should pay Laura and Drew a visit today."
There was that we again. Natalie didn't want to spend more time with Cole, but she also didn't want him talking to Laura and Drew without her. If Drew had something to do with the book, Natalie wanted to be there to ask him about it. "All right. I'll call Laura when we get back."
"I have a better idea. Don't call. It's always better to catch your enemies off guard."
"Laura and Drew aren't my enemies."
"Well, someone is, Natalie, otherwise you wouldn't be the villain of this book."
He had a point. "True."
"Ready to head back now?"
"Let's go a different way," Natalie said, preferring to avoid any more trips down memory lane.
Cole raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with the way we came?"
"Been there, done that," she said pointedly, leaving him to take that in whatever way he wanted.
Chapter 5
Laura opened the door to Drew's study, not surprised to see her husband sitting at his desk in front of his computer. Work was his passion, whether he was at home or in his law office, and the fact that it was Sunday made absolutely no difference. He'd obviously been working since the early morning. The shades were still drawn, the room dark save for the desk lamp illuminating a circle of light over the computer and Drew's golden blond hair.
Drew's dark blue eyes were focused on the screen. She didn't know whether to be impressed by his powers of concentration or irritated that she was so invisible to him. Walking farther into the room, she shut the door behind her with a decisive click. Drew's head snapped up, a scowl on his handsome face.
"What do you need?" he asked sharply.
"I thought you might want to take a break, have some lunch."
"I'm busy. I have a lot to do before I leave tonight."
She'd forgotten he was flying to L.A. later in the evening for a three-day business trip. He'd been in and out of town so much in the past six months, she felt as if their house was more of a pit stop than a home. "I hardly see you anymore," she murmured.
His frown deepened. "Laura, I really don't have time for this."
"Time for what? Time for me?" She hated the way her voice came out whiny and desperate, but it was too late to take back her words.
"It won't always be like this, but if I want to make partner, I have to put the time in now. Your father has very high standards. I hope you can understand that."
"I do." She especially understood the part about her father having high standards. Lord knows, she'd never been able to live up to them. No wonder Drew was so stressed all the time. Feeling guilty, she walked around the corner of the desk to give him a neck rub.
"What are you doing?" he snapped, hitting a button on the computer to shut down the screen.
"I'm going to rub your neck."
"I appreciate the thought, but I really need to concentrate."
"On what?" She stared at the now dark screen and wondered why he didn't want her to see what he was working on. "You're being awfully