Two

She froze, her gaze locking onto Ritchie, her eyes wide as she attempted to ascertain whether he was being truthful. "No, you didn't. You're not engaged."

"I am," he replied calmly. "And now I have a reason to expedite the wedding."

She shot him a disbelieving glare. "Oh, this is absurd. You can't be serious." She turned to the lawyer. "He's not engaged. Everyone knows he's been a recluse since his ex-wife started a relationship with the pool boy."

"Don't talk about her," Ritchie cautioned. "Once again, you have no idea what you're talking about."

"Where is she?" Rebecca hissed vindictively. "Don't you think a fiancée should be here for this? Moral support and all?" She turned to the lawyer. "She's not here because he's lying."

"She's not here because she's out of the country right now," he lied. "She's visiting family."

"If I may interject here," the lawyer said, "Mr. Hollis, your father was very clear about this. An engagement signifies an intention to marry, and therefore, we'll have no choice but to delay the transfer of ownership of your father's estate until your engagement is confirmed."

Ritchie stood up, straightened his jacket, and gave Rebecca a smug look. "No problem there. Let me talk to my fiancée, and we can arrange a meeting when she gets back to the States."

"Oh, stop it," said Rebecca. "You are not engaged." She turned to the lawyer. "He can't get away with this."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Hollis, but Mr. Hollis' wishes were clear. Nothing changes hands until his son's marriage. At least with his engagement, nothing changes for either of you. You should be grateful for that much, Mrs. Hollis."

Ritchie gave her one final smirk and left the room, pleased to have gotten the upper hand again. However, once he was outside the room, the gravity of the situation hit him. He wasn't actually engaged. In fact, there hadn't been a woman in his life since Eleanor. It wouldn't take long for the lawyers to figure it out.

As he turned to walk down the hall towards the exit, he collided with someone, almost knocking him over. "Watch where you're--"

The man stood up, and Ritchie immediately recognized him. Tall and lanky, with short dark hair and blue eyes. He grinned, revealing a missing tooth on the left side. Ritchie remembered the morning he had come to work with the missing tooth, the result of a sledding mishap with his friends.

"Hey, Rich," he said with a wide smile, and they shook hands, embracing unexpectedly.

"Stoney," Ritchie replied with a slight chuckle. "Hey, long time no see."

"Yeah, it's been a while," said Stoney. "How are things at Palatine Mutual? I heard the old man finally retired."

"He did, right after you left, in fact," Ritchie replied.

Stoney snapped his fingers. "Just my luck. How is the old guy, anyway?"

"Dead. Finally passed away last week. I just came from the reading of his will."

Stoney's smile disappeared, and he stared at Ritchie, his blue eyes wide and glassy. "Oh, wow. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize," Ritchie said. "He was eighty-six. I'm surprised he managed to hang on as long as he did."

"So... the will reading, huh?" said Stoney, changing the mood with a smirk. "I guess that means you're about to inherit everything you've worked for. Finally."

Ritchie shrugged, still feeling annoyed about what had transpired in the mediation room. "You'd think so. The old man had one last trick up his sleeve. I only get everything if I get married. The lawyers won't even proceed unless I'm engaged."

"Damn," said Stoney. "That's tough. I guess you'd better start exploring mail-order bride websites."

Ritchie raised an eyebrow. He didn't know if he was that desperate yet, but he filed the idea away in the back of his mind. "What are you doing here, anyway? I thought Criminal Court was on the second floor."

"Haha," Stoney said dryly. "Look at you, developing a sense of humor." Ritchie couldn't help but smile. He had spent years trying to keep Stoney in line as his boss, only to eventually find a friend in him. Stoney had always encouraged Ritchie to loosen up and crack a smile once in a while.

"If you must know, though," Stoney continued, "I'm waiting for my sister to finish her hearing."

Ritchie paused, trying to remember Stoney's sister. He had mentioned her casually before, but he was certain they had never met. Stoney and his sister were twins, and Ritchie distinctly remembered trying to imagine what Stoney would look like in a dress. His imagination couldn't conjure an image attractive enough to be real.

"Hearing?" he inquired.

"Divorce is nearly final," Stoney said somberly. "She married a real jerk right out of college. Finally kicking him to the curb today."

Ritchie nodded, picturing Stoney with his five o'clock shadow and missing tooth in lipstick and high heels. "Congratulations to her," he said. "I've been through it, paying alimony as a result."

Stoney laughed. He remembered Ritchie's wife, and they couldn't stand each other; the feeling was mutual. Eleanor would spit on the floor whenever Ritchie mentioned Stoney's name.

"Congratulations back to you," Stoney replied. "So, does that mean you're single and ready to mingle?"

"It's a little early for all that, I think," Ritchie said.

Stoney began to say something else but spotted something out of the corner of his eye. He waved, and his smile widened as he greeted someone. Ritchie looked in the direction he was waving and was struck speechless.

Stoney was waving at a stunning woman with long dark hair and sparkling blue eyes. She wore a conservative beige skirt that accentuated her shapely hips and a knit sweater that did nothing to conceal her ample bosom. On long legs, she walked over to them, her eyes fixed on Stoney.

"Is that...?" Ritchie began, but she had already approached, smiling at her brother and glancing at him.

"Rich," Stoney said, "meet my sister, Stella. Stella, meet Rich."

Ritchie nodded a greeting, and she smiled at him politely before giving her brother a sidelong glance. "Your old boss... Ritchie?"

"My friend Rich," Stoney corrected.

Her smile grew a bit wider but also seemed a touch insincere. "Nice to meet you," she said, extending her hand to him. Ritchie shook it and replied, "Likewise."

"So," Stoney said, "is it done? Are you a free woman?"

"I'm a free woman," she said cheerfully. "Officially. No more jerks running my life."

Ritchie felt a pang from when his divorce was finalized. Suddenly, he pictured Eleanor gleefully squandering his hard-earned money on B

otox, and he bristled. "Yeah, until the alimony runs out, at least," he said.

Both Stoney and Stella looked at him, and Stella's smile faded. "I didn't ask for alimony," she said coldly. "I don't need it."

"That's what they all say," Ritchie retorted.

"Is that so?" She faced him squarely, her hands on her hips. "Is that what they all say?"

"Hey, sis," said Stoney, "why don't we go get some drinks to celebrate?" He put his arm around her and began to lead her away. Stella gave Ritchie one last icy glare and then walked off. Stoney turned around, walking backward. "I'll give you a call later, alright? Your number's still the same, right?"

Ritchie nodded and watched as the two of them departed. His eyes wandered down to Stella's curvaceous backside. She was undeniably attractive, but her attitude left much to be desired.