A Deal With the Devil by Abby Matisse

wedding planning and God only knows what else. Once our charade starts, I’m guessing it’ll be fast and furious.” Jake pushed his plate away and leaned back. “This deal is more than generous, so you’ll be able to afford to take off if you need to.”
    “Monetarily, maybe,” she said, as her brow furrowed. “But there are other things to consider.”
    “Like?”
    “Like my future career, which I can’t afford to ruin just because of this deal. I’m not starting a business like you. I work for other people, remember?”
    He regarded her for a long moment and then said, “I thought you wanted to do your own thing someday.” His eyes searched her face. “Has something changed?”
    “I do. I will. I’m just not ready to follow through on the idea yet.”
    He pushed his plate away. “We can deal with your job situation later. I want to discuss a few other things before we leave.”
    She narrowed her eyes and squared her shoulders as if readying for a fight.
    Jake raised his index finger. “You need to sign a contract.” He wasn’t about to give her an out. If she was in, he wanted to ensure she stayed in.
    “Okay.” She crossed her legs and regarded him with a healthy dose of suspicion, as if she wasn’t quite sure what he’d say next.
    He raised a second finger. “The agreement will include an iron-clad confidentiality clause. My grandfather can’t ever know the truth.”
    “Of course,” she said. “I don’t want word of this arrangement to get out either.”
    His eyes narrowed. “Be honest. Have you told Kate?”
    Amanda shifted uncomfortably and started to fiddle with her napkin.
    “So . . . I’m guessing that means yes. And if Kate knows, then Sam does too.” He shook his head. “I’ll have to put the fear of God into them.”
    “They won’t tell anyone. You’re paranoid.”
    He’d make sure they wouldn’t. He planned to head over to Sam’s place right after he finished here. He wasn’t about to take any chances. He pointed at her. “You can’t tell anyone else and that includes your brother.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Calm down Paranoid Pete.” She stood and extended a hand. “So it’s a deal?”
    “Deal.” As his fingers gripped her soft skin, he felt an undeniable sizzle of energy. He pulled his hand away, trying to ignore the tingle of awareness that lingered. He’d thought the months away had cured him of the instant turn-on of her touch. But a year seemed an eternity in a place like Iraq and it must have been harder on him than he realized. Jake cleared his throat. “Sam will draw up the papers and I’ll stop by in a few days so we can sign them and get this baby rolling.”
    “Sounds good.” She stood and slipped on her coat. “Thanks for breakfast.”
    Jake threw enough cash on the table to cover the bill and resisted the urge to take her elbow as she limped along in front of him. He didn’t because he knew she’d just push him away and she’d probably give him an earful. But he still held the door open for her as they walked outside.
    After they said their goodbyes on the sidewalk, Jake strode to his SUV. He pulled out of the parking space, turned right at the corner and poked along through late morning traffic, headed toward Lincoln Park.
    * * *
    He circled Sam’s block twice before he found a parking space. He maneuvered into the tiny spot, and climbed out. Then he jogged up the stone steps, leading to Sam and Kate’s townhouse and rang the bell.
    Sam flung the door open, grinning ear to ear. “Hey bud. I still can’t believe you’re back.”
    “You have a few minutes?”
    Sam stepped back to let him inside. “I’m about to head to the gym. You up for a workout?”
    “I went earlier. This won’t take long.” Jake looked around. “Is Kate here?
    Sam shook his head. “She’s at prenatal yoga; won’t be back for an hour.” He headed to the kitchen. “Coffee?”
    “Sure.” Jake pulled out a barstool, straddling it as he sat down.
    Sam