Joshua''s voice was cool and direct. "Since Allison and Watson aren''t on a date, I guess you won''t mind if I join you, right? We''re all old friends here. It''s been a while since I saw Allison-seems like a good time to catch up and talk about those cases at work."

Carolyn froze, her smile faltering.

Watson let out a lightugh. "Mr. Fisher, I don''t think that''s a good idea. Allison and I have the kids with us today."

Joshua turned to Lizzy, giving her a gentle smile. "Lizzy, do you mind if your big brother sits here and eats with you?"

Lizzy knew Joshua well. She used to call him "brother-inw" all the time, and he''d always been so good to her, buying her toys and treats. Of course she didn''t mind at all.

She piped up, "I don''t mind!"

Joshua''s lips curled up, and he looked at Watson. "See? Even Lizzy doesn''t mind. Are you really going to be the difficult one here, Watson?"

Watson met Joshua''s eyes, his tone still friendly. "But Mr. Fisher, aren''t you here with a date? If you squeeze in with us, what happens to Ms. Witt?"

Joshua''s expression didn''t change. He simply turned to Carolyn. "Sorry, something''se up. You go ahead for now. We''ll talk about the project another time."

He dropped the word "project" on purpose, a signal for Allison that he wasn''t here for a date-just business. He and Carolyn were just work partners, nothing more. While he said it, his eyes never left Allison.

But Allison didn''t even look at him. Her face was nk, like she couldn''t care less. Joshua felt a little pang of disappointment.

Watson smiled and said, "Mr. Fisher, it''s not very gentlemanly to just leave Ms. Witt on her own, is it?"

Joshua''s eyes went cold. "That''s not your problem."

He grabbed a menu, ordered a couple of dishes for himself, and acted as if he''d been with Allison''s group the whole time.

Allison pressed her lips together, ncing at Carolyn. She couldn''t help feeling a sudden, sharp wave of jealousy.

She said, "Since Mr. Fisher came

with Ms. Witt, it wouldn''t be right to

leave her

er alone. We can talk about

the cases tomorrow. This isn''t work time, and I''d rather not discuss business while we''re supposed to be rxing."

Joshua raised an eyebrow. "You don''t want to talk work in your free time? That''s not like you, Allison: I remember you and Watson chatting all about work in your living room, having the time of your lives."

There was a bite in his voice, and his stare was a little too pointed. "So you can talk shop with him, but not me?"

Allison shot him a cold look, the kind that said, "Seriously, cut it out."

Seeing Carolyn looking more and more ufortable, Allison let out a sigh and stood up, heading for a bigger table.

"If Mr. Fisher wants to join us so badly, let''s just move to arger table." Joshua''s brow quirked up.

Once Allison sat down, Lizzy and Julia followed and settled into their seats. Joshua slid right in next to Allison.

Carolyn, noticing there was a free spot, ended up sitting on Joshua''s other side.

Watson had no choice but to follow them.

What was supposed to be a sweet romantic outing had been totally derailed by Joshua''s

interruption-the easy,

vibe was

gone.

Watson shot Joshua a look full of warning.

Joshua just grinned back, smug and pleased with himself.

Carolyn, catching the tension between the two men, tightened her grip on her coffee cup, her fingers going white around the handle.