Talking business was really just Joshua''s excuse to ask Allison out, but with a few Fisher Corporation cases still waiting to go to trial, she brought them up again over dinner.

    Joshua smiled. “Allie, with such a romantic vibe, are you sure work is all you want to talk about with me?"

    Allison nced down, her face unreadable. "Mr. Fisher, weren''t you the one who said you wanted to discuss these cases?"

    He raised an eyebrow. "Alright, let''s talk business then."

    Honestly, it was better than sitting there in awkward silence.

    Whenever Allison talked about work, her eyes got this calm, focused look. Joshua just watched her, his gaze softening, listening so closely it almost felt like he''d invited her out solely for this reason.

    Allison was a bit surprised, so she teased, "I always thought Mr. Fisher wasn''t interested in these kinds of details."

    After all, even if these were Fisher Corporation''s cases, a few legal squabbles hardly seemed important enough for thepany''s CEO to handle personally.

    Joshua''s expression turned serious. "It matters because it''s your work- something you care about. I know it means a lot to you, so I want to listen. Allie, I respect what you do, and I support you."

    That caught Allison off guard.

    She hadn''t expected Joshua to answer her so sincerely.

    His wordsnded in her heart like a small pebble dropped in still water, sending out quiet ripples she couldn''t ignore.

    Her chest tightened, just a little.

    After dinner, Allison needed to get back to the office-she still had work waiting. Joshua had things to handle, too, so he drove her to thew firm before heading off to his own evening.

    In early July, Allison traveled to a small county courthouse near Greenfield for a case.

    She nned to spend just one night in Greenfield, heading back after her hearing the next afternoon.

    The county was pretty remote, but the scenery was gorgeous-lots of here. Hotels and

    tourists came

    guesthouses were everywhere, and since it was peak season, prices had shot up. Rooms that usuallycost two or three hundred a night were going for over a thousand now.

    Price wasn''t really the problem; it was finding a room at all that was tricky this time of year.

    Luckily, Allison had some connections and managed to call ahead, booking a twin room at the best hotel in town.

    It wasn''t five-star fancy, but the ce was clean, decent, and had all the basics.

    To be safe, Allison brought Brooklyn along on the trip.

    Chris and Lillian were no longer threats, but in this unfamiliar little town, it just felt risky for a woman to travel alone.

    The hearing was set for three in the afternoon.

    The case turned out to be prettyplicated, so by the time it wrapped up, it was already six-thirty.

    When she walked out of the

    courthouse, Allison immediately el

    spotted a guy leaning against. a car nearby, deep in conversation on his phone.

    Joshua was wearing a simple ck shirt and dark, casual pants that made his long legs look even longer.

    The sunset painted the sky in soft orange and gold, warm light glinting off his silhouette.

    Everything around him faded into the background-just by standing there, he became the highlight of the evening.

    He looked so good that people passing by couldn''t help but stop and stare.

    Right then a woman in a strappy ? sundress, all curves and confidence, strolled over to chat him up. Allison saw the whole thing as she walked closer, stopping just a few steps away.