Yep, another story...I couldn't help myself. With everything going on around me inside and outside of my personal life, I was feeling the need for a romcom, so I started to write this, and the words just kept coming and coming (I just need to finish the last chapter or two, but I'll be editing and reworking it as I post). I promise it is (mostly) a romcom. There is no almost dying or anyone in grave danger. There is, however, some mentioning of grief/loss, eating disorders, and quite a bit of family drama just to fill the void of angsty material. Ultimately, it is light material more times than not with the "will they, won't they" drama mixed in between.

That being said, halfway through this story I realized/remembered there was a movie called The Wedding Date from 2005, which I've never seen but apparently forgot about, but I believe my storyline will differ from it from what I read. I guess the core idea is similar, though.

It is going to be mostly AU for the Expendable canon. I'm following the DWP canon with the AU portion being Emily leaving to attend the wedding and some other things later on. Her family are all my OCs, as are Lee's family and Barney's. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy!

Happy reading :)

June 14, 2006

New York

Emily Charlton was now effectively known as The Grouch. As she sat in her desk chair glowering at Andrea Sachs across from her, she wondered how long it would be before she turned into The Dragon Lady 2.0.

"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God," Andy whimpered, desperately clicking at her mouse as if it was going to save her life. Emily refrained from asking what was going on. She didn't quite care in this moment, if she was honest. If Miranda wanted to treat Andy like the worst person in the world, it wasn't her fault. Emily had done her time. She was moving on up.

And yet...she still bore the brunt of Miranda's dragonish-ness whether she liked it or not.

She had more pressing things to think about. Things like her sister's upcoming wedding. In England. With her parents. And her ex-boyfriend. And her former school bully, who happened to be dating her brother.

God help her.

Her computer beeped, and she looked to see her brother, Levi, had instant messaged her.

LeviMan: Mum wants to know what time you're arriving.

Emily refrained from growling. She would get there when she got there. She didn't need a bloody escort to her grandmother's house, which was where her parents lived now since her father had inherited it. She just wanted to come and go with minimal attention paid to her. Ever since she'd left to live in New York and work for Runway, her family had a tendency to comment on the fact she's still just an assistant.

Just. An. Assistant.

Was there really such a thing? Did they have any idea what an assistant actually did? Emily could rhyme off countless things that were important to keeping Runway going that she did on a daily basis.

EmGem: Tell her I'll be there on Thursday evening. That's all she needs to know.

She closed the IM window down and got back to work. Levi didn't answer her, which she knew he had nothing to say anyway. He knew as well as she did how much their mother got under their skin, especially hers. She tried really hard to not be angry at him for dating her former bully, Sabrina. She couldn't fathom what he saw in that ditz. And of course, her mother looooved Sabrina...almost more than anyone if Emily was honest.

"Emily," Miranda called, and Emily pointed her finger at Andy without even looking at her. Andy leapt to her feet and went rushing into Miranda's office. Emily was feeling very fortunate that she was getting some time off to attend her sister's wedding, but Miranda was also going to be out of town for the same time period, so that was helpful. Andy could handle stuff while Emily was gone. Well, some stuff. Emily was going to have everything done and ready on her end anyway. She was productive like that. Regardless, she expected a bunch of phone calls to put out fires while she was gone.

"I can do this," Andy was muttering to herself when she came back out. "I've got this. I can do this."

Emily busied herself with her tasks. It didn't stop her from thinking about the worst part of this whole wedding experience: She'd told them all she had a boyfriend, and that was a bold faced lie.

Oh, but her mother had just kept at her and at her for not dating anyone, so Emily had spit out she in fact did have a boyfriend. Now, she was going to a wedding and had no plus one to actually attend with her. Everyone would know she'd lied and would laugh at her.

Bollocks.

England

Lee Christmas stood over his parents' graves with his hands in his pockets. His friend and colleague, Barney Ross, was chewing on a cigar as he wandered around reading other headstones, the trail of smoke following him as he went. Lee could hear him "hmming" and "huh-ing" every so often at something he found interesting. What he found interesting on a headstone, Lee had no idea.

"Do you mind?" he asked after a moment. "I'm trying to pay my respects over here."

"Sorry," Barney replied, moving farther away. Lee turned his head back to the graves. He didn't know what to say. He didn't even really know why he was here.

"Sorry I'm late," Brooke said, coming up beside him and pulling her jacket tighter against the wind. "You weren't here long were you?"

"No," he answered. He looked at his little sister and noticed she seemed tired. Her brown eyes had dark circles under them, and her golden brown hair was a bit limp. She was a smidge shorter than he was and was too skinny. He worried about her.

"I see Barney is browsing," Brooke commented, glancing over at him.

"Probably looking for the best headstone so he can get the same one for himself," Lee commented, making her snort in laughter. Then she sobered up.

"I'm glad you're here," she said. "I missed you."

"I missed you too. Sorry I've been away so long."

"Work is busy," she said, nodding. "I get it."

"How's Garth?"

"We broke up," she answered with a small sigh. She met his surprised look. "It's alright. He was a git anyway."

"Do I need to beat him up?" Lee had never liked him. Garth was arrogant and inconsiderate. Lee had to admit that he was surprised she dated him for almost three years.

"No," she said, smacking his arm lightly. "No, I'm good." She looped her arm through his then and rested her head on his shoulder. They both looked at the graves quietly for a moment. "It seems so sad, doesn't it? We live a life only to end up in a hole in the ground."

"It's how it goes."

"Sometimes I wonder what the point is," she sighed. "Why even bother?" He turned his head to look at her but was unable to see her face.

"Don't say things like that," he chastised. She patted his arm with her hand.

"You know I wouldn't do anything like that," she promised. The wind gusted again, and the smell of rain was in the air. "Bloody weather. I'm gonna head for a drink. You in?"

"Sure. Where's Brody?"

"He's with the sitter; she picked him up from school for me. Don't worry, your nephew is very excited to see you as always. We won't stay out late."

Lee smiled. He had missed Brody. The boy was nine, which was hard to believe. He wasn't Garth's son, thankfully. Brody's biological father had fled after finding out Brooke was pregnant and never looked back.

"You staying long?" she asked now.

"I can stay for a bit," he advised. She lifted her head to look at him properly again and smiled.

"Wonderful," she said. "I look forward to it."

"Ditto," he said, smiling back. It would be just like old times.

Almost.

New York

Emily was packing and mentally ticking off everything she needed to bring. She had dodged her mother's call; no doubt she wanted to nail down Emily's arrival. Emily just wanted to get there and arrive at her parents' place on her own schedule. She didn't want her trip to be commandeered by her mother the entire time.

Knocking at the door made her pause to answer, finding her friend, Serena, on the other side holding a dry cleaner's bag.

"I've got it," she said, coming in without saying hello. "I'll be honest, I took a peek. It is stunning!"

"You think so?" Emily asked, taking the dress from her. It was the one she'd be wearing to the wedding...the one she was sure to get some remarks on by her mother. It didn't matter what she wore. She always got comments.

"Definitely."

"Thanks for grabbing it for me," Emily said, shutting the apartment door and going to hang the dress up on a cabinet doorknob in the kitchen for the time being.

"Have you figured out what to do about the whole fake boyfriend thing yet?" Serena asked, wincing a little.

"Ugh, no," Emily answered, sighing roughly. "I might have to just keep pretending they've just missed him."

"You can do that all weekend?"

"I kind of have to. I have no boyfriend," Emily groaned.

"I'm sure I could call up a friend of mine and get them to go with you," Serena insisted.

"No, no. It's fine. I'll figure something out."

"I still don't see why it's a big deal if you show up dateless," Serena said while Emily began to pace.

"I can't be the only child without a significant other," Emily explained. "My mother gives the most attention to the person with the most going for them, and so far, I have nothing. A boyfriend gives me a boost in ratings for a little while until my career takes off."

"That's kind of sad," Serena noted.

"I know. That's my mother, though."

"I wish I could help."

"It's alright. You're my best friend. I don't need anything else from you." Emily smiled at her, and Serena smiled back.

"Did you see Andy walk into the front door this morning? That girl is a train wreck," Serena commented. Emily gave a small snicker. She'd be amazed if Andy lasted much longer. She was still surprised that Miranda was giving her a shot.

"I can only imagine what's going to happen while I'm away," Emily said back. She honestly hadn't expected to be able to go, but because Miranda was off doing other things, she wasn't needed as much. Emily wouldn't have left otherwise. She also suspected that Miranda wanted to see how Andy could handle the pressure of going solo.

She and Serena continued to talk and laugh together, eventually talking about the wedding and the dress and Emily's brother, who Serena still had the hots for even though he was dating someone else and she'd only met him once when he came to visit.

By the time Emily finished packing, it was late and she was tired. Serena left before ten, and Emily wound down for the night with a glass of wine and soft, piano music. She closed her eyes, picturing her Nana's fingers skimming across the piano keys like a whisper. She felt her throat tighten a little bit. She missed her grandmother a lot. Listening to this music made her feel closer to her again despite the emotions that came with it.

After going to bed, she tossed and turned. She kept thinking about how she was going to get away with having a fake boyfriend at the wedding. In the end, she fell into a fitful sleep.

June 15th

England

Lee woke up in his childhood bed and stared at the ceiling. He thought about the countless other times he'd woken up in this room. He really had taken for granted how normal his life had been for the longest time.

His door was flung open, and a bundle of nine-year-old boy came flying at him. Lee grunted and coughed as Brody landed on him.

"Uncle Lee, get up!" Brody exclaimed, bouncing on his chest. His blonde/brown hair was sticking up straight, and his green eyes were full of glee behind his black rimmed glasses. He was lanky and growing like a weed every day.

"Argh, come on now," Lee said, reaching to shove him off. Brody fell to his side on the mattress, giggling. He'd spent all evening with his nephew the night before, and he'd promised him a trip to the beach today. Brody was one of his favorite people, and he always enjoyed the wonder the boy had over things.

"I packed my squirt gun," Brody said now, sitting up again. "Uncle Barney said it was cool. He liked my skull sticker."

"I bet he did."

"Come on," Brody said, bouncing once more. "We gotta go before all the good spots are taken!"

"Alright, alright. I'll meet you by the door. Go on," Lee said, and Brody reluctantly climbed over him to get off and scurried away. Lee heard talking and laughter downstairs as he got up and dressed. He found Barney and Brooke at the kitchen table with his grandfather. Brody was trying to win a thumb war with Barney.

"There's Shrimp now," his grandfather said with a smile.

"Hi, Pops," Lee replied, resting a hand on his shoulder as he passed to get some coffee. His grandfather, Murray, was 88 years old and still running around like he was 60. It marveled Lee how well he was doing. He had moved in with Brooke a year earlier, though, at her insistence after he drove his car into the garage door by accident and had a minor slip and fall a few weeks later (nothing was broken, thankfully, just bruised). Murray had put up a bit of a fight, but Brooke had worn him down, and they seemed to get along so far.

"Shrimp?" Barney repeated. "Is that cos he's smaller than everyone else?" His level of concentration was split between the conversation and winning against Brody, who wore a determined look on his face with his tongue slightly sticking out.

"You got it!" Murray exclaimed, slapping his hand on the table in delight and giving a cackle of laughter. Lee sucked his bottom lip up between his teeth, not commenting. The only person he didn't give hell for teasing about his height was his grandfather, and there really was no reason to tease him now. He wasn't a small kid anymore.

"You could always put lifts in your shoes," Brooke stated, smirking. He reached to punch her shoulder, but she ducked out of the way. Barney was chortling with laughter now.

"I'm bloody 5'10'' so sod off already," Lee said irritably. "I'm the same height as Barney. In fact, maybe even a smidge taller."

"Really? Your legs are just stubbier than mine," Barney said, leaning to look. "It gives the illusion you're smaller." Lee resisted kicking him in the face in return. Brooke was doing a poor job at stifling her laughter behind her hand while Murray was grinning hugely. Brody was oblivious, still trying to beat Barney.

"Alright, you've all had your fun," Lee said dryly. "Move on, please."

"Are you getting married at all anytime soon?" Murray asked.

"Move on to anything but that," Lee stated, exasperated. Apparently it was Torment Lee Day.

"I promised your mother I'd find you a nice girl," Murray advised. "Don't make me die a liar, Shrimp." Lee just pressed his lips together and shook his head. Thankfully, Brooke started talking about her garden, and the heat was taken off of him. Brody exclaimed in mock outrage as Barney beat him once again. Lee looked over to the framed photo of his parents and wondered for the millionth time how different things would have been if they hadn't died. His mother had died from cancer first; his father had died from a heart attack five years later. Lee was pretty sure it was a broken heart he'd died from since he'd never been the same after his mother left him behind. They'd been young when Lee was born, and Brooke came along about five years later.

"Come on, Shrimp," Barney said, getting to his feet. Brody had run off to get his shoes. "Why don't you take me out for a spin in that old car of yours I've heard you brag about so often?"

"Call me Shrimp again, and I'll stab you," Lee threatened. It was safe to talk like this in front of his family. They all knew he had become a mercenary after the SAS.

"You gotta come up with some new threats, Christmas," Barney retorted. Lee rolled his eyes and finished his coffee before following him outside. Brody was waiting by the car, backpack over his shoulder.

"Why are you going joyriding with us again?" Lee asked as he took the backpack and put it in the trunk while Brody climbed into the backseat. "I thought you were here to watch your son's wedding?"

"That's not until Sunday," Barney replied. "Lots of time."

"Does he even know you're here?"

"No."

"Does he know you even exist?"

"What kind of question is that?" Barney countered, giving him a look.

"That's a hard no then," Lee confirmed. Barney sighed.

"I've always known about him, but he doesn't know about me. It's fine," Barney said, waving his hand. "It was better he doesn't know me. It won't hurt him when I die."

"That's bleak."

"It's how I feel."

Lee decided not to get dragged down the hole of depression in this moment. He pulled open the driver's side door of his car while Barney got into the passenger side. It felt like old times as he slid the key into the ignition and started it.

"SUNSCREEN!" Brooke hollered at him from the porch.

"Yea, yea," Lee replied back, waving his hand at her. Brody was chattering about how he was going to soak Lee with his squirt gun as Lee pulled the car out of the driveway. Barney rolled his window down and rested his arm on the edge as Lee drove. Lee pushed his aviators up on his nose with a finger before resting his hand on his knee while his other hand held the wheel at the 12 o'clock position. He and Barney didn't say anything else as he drove. There wasn't anything left to say anyway, and Brody was completely fine to do all the talking for them.

The afternoon was spent with Brody trying to soak them and Barney chasing him into the water after getting blasted in the ear with water when he wasn't paying attention. Lee watched Barney play with his nephew and wondered how he must feel knowing he missed out on his son's life.

It was kind of a really sad thought.

Evening

England

Emily was already feeling overwhelmed, and she hadn't been at her parents' home longer than twenty minutes.

"You're so thin, Emily Rose! Walter, look at her," her mother, Valerie, said. "She's almost see through!"

"I am not," Emily replied, annoyed. It didn't stop her mother from poking and prodding her while turning her around in a circle.

"She looks the same to me," her father, Walter, stated. He moved in to kiss the side of her head and carry her luggage to her room. Emily loved her father the most, not that she'd admit that. He was just more mellow and less meddling.

"Leviathan will be here shortly. Carmella is out back with Robert."

Emily knew that Robert preferred to be called Rob, but her mother wasn't one for shortening names if she could help it. Levi abhorred being called by his full name. Carm didn't seem to care. Emily had wondered why she'd been given a simpler name than her siblings, and her father finally shared recently it was because he'd been allowed to name one child after fighting Valerie on it, and he'd chosen something sweet and sturdy and "less outlandish." It was why her mother called her by her first and middle name...she claimed Emily's name needed "fluffing" up. Every time she said it, Emily couldn't help but picture a bird fluffing and puffing up in irritation after getting poked or annoyed. It was how she felt anyway. According to her father, her name had almost been Rosalina or Alexandrina. It made Emily appreciate him that much more for naming her.

"Emily!" Carm called, running down the stairs. Her dark brown hair was curled and bouncing. Her light blue eyes were bright and happy. Emily had always felt a bit aggravated by her sister mimicking her hair style, so she'd gone and dyed her hair red just to be different enough that Carm wouldn't be brave enough to mimic it, and it had worked. It had also made her mother threaten to dye it back in her sleep.

"Hi," Emily said, hugging her sister back after she'd latched onto her. "Big weekend for you, huh?"

"Ohmygosh," Carm said all at once, pulling back from the embrace. "It is HUGE! Mum's been pulling her hair out almost every day for the last week."

"How's Rob? Excited?"

"Oh, yes. He's nervous too, which is sweet. I hope he doesn't get cold feet, though," Carm said, frowning slightly.

"If he does, I'm sure it'll be Dougie's fault," Emily retorted. Carm sucked her teeth and shook her head.

"You do know he's grown since then, right?"

"He left me on the side of the road after breaking up with me!" Emily exploded. It was still a sore subject with her if she was honest. She'd dated Dougie for four years, and she'd been so sure he was going to propose to her. Then, he'd claimed that he, in fact, was in love with someone else, and he needed to go tell this woman right this instant and oh, by the way, you can walk home because I don't have time to drop you off and I'm a big, stupid git who deserves to get hit by a bloody car...

"Em, you gotta let it go," Carm said, interrupting Emily's mental vent train. "It's been five years now."

"Still not long enough," Emily said through gritted teeth. Their brother decided to enter at this moment in time, and he burst in like he always did with his untamed brown hair and mischievous green/blue eyes. He was taller than both of them by half a foot and lanky.

"Sisters!" he exclaimed, reaching to pull them both into a hug with his arms looping around their necks.

"Levi, let go," Emily said after a moment, feeling choked. She patted his arm, and he reluctantly released her.

"I just saw you this afternoon," Carm chastised lightly.

"Yes, but it's rare to see you both together, so I took advantage of the moment," Levi countered. "So, Em, what's new with you? Where's the boyfriend?"

"Oh, he's coming tomorrow," Emily lied. She was so busted. She had no idea how to get out of this, but she didn't seem to know how to stop lying either.

"Brilliant. I'd like to size him up if that's alright. Need to make sure he's a good lad."

"He's fine," Emily said, slightly disgruntled.

"Oh, Leviathan!" their mother said, seeing him. "You're late!"

"By two minutes," Levi started.

"Come on, come on," Valerie cut him off, waving her hand. "I need your assistance with something."

"Oh alright," Levi said, sighing. He let their mother drag him away.

"I'm gonna use this to my advantage," Emily said to Carm.

"What do you mean?" Carm frowned.

"I need a drink."

"Dad's got wine..."

"I need something stronger than wine," Emily cut her off. "Just tell them I stepped out for a bit will you? I won't be late."

"But you just got here..."

"Bye," Emily said, ignoring her and slipping out the door. She breathed out a heavy sigh as she made her way down the street. She eventually got a cab and headed to her favorite haunt for a drink.

She really had only intended on being an hour at the most. Honest.

...

"She's cute," Barney said, tilting his head towards the dancing blonde at the back of the bar. Other people were dancing around her as well. Lee gave Barney his best unimpressed facial expression. They'd come out for a drink after spending the day in the hot sun. Brody had wanted to come with them, but Brooke made him stay home to do homework since he'd been allowed the day off school to be with Lee as a treat, and she reminded him that he was too young to be in a bar, which had made Brody pout.

"I'm good," Lee replied dryly.

"You've been alone for too long."

"I'm just fine, thanks." Lee didn't want a girlfriend. There wasn't going to be one who stuck around long enough after hearing what his job was, and he didn't feel like investing in something only to have it be taken away. There was no point.

"Just go have a night cap then," Barney said, nudging his ribs with his elbow. "You need it."

Lee ignored him. He wasn't big on one night stands either; he liked to know the woman first. He wasn't one of those guys who needed time with a woman for just one reason either. He liked connecting and building a relationship with someone. Sure, he got mocked for it, but he didn't care.

A draft of air made him turn his head to look at the door and see a woman enter looking disgruntled and pissed off, and for whatever reason, it made his stomach drop in attraction.

"Blimey," Barney said, mimicking his accent. "That one's a firecracker. Got red hair and everything."

"Shut up," Lee ordered. He carefully watched her out of the corner of his eye as she sat down a stool two away from him and ordered a whiskey.

"She looks like she'd put you in your place in seconds," Barney went on, losing the fake accent now.

"I'd rather not test that theory."

They both watched as the woman downed her drink and then promptly dropped her forehead onto the bar top before shaking her head back and forth against it.

"Whoa," Barney said. Lee was a bit curious now and unable to help himself.

"Hey," he said to her. "You alright?" She lifted her head to look at him, and he could see slight despair in her eyes. He felt Barney leave behind him but still hovering close by.

"I'm fine," she answered.

"You sure?"

"Yes," she said impatiently. "I'm fine." She sat up straight again and ordered another drink. Lee did his best to not watch her, but it was proving difficult. Clearly, something was making her cranky, and he had this strong, unexplainable desire to know why. As it turned out, he didn't even have to ask again. She offered it up herself.

"My little sister is getting married," she blurted out. Something about her tone was saying she wasn't entirely thrilled about it.

"Congratulations...?" he said, turning it into a question almost.

"I'm happy for her. I am," the woman insisted. "It's just my mother is driving me bat shit crazy, and I've barely been in the country for two hours. I can't do the next three and a half days. I just can't."

"I'm sorry." He wasn't sure what else to say.

"Ugh, it's not your problem," she said. "I'm just trying to figure out how to either pretend my fake boyfriend is sick and bailed on the wedding or tell my family I made him up. God, what a nightmare." She gave a slight moan and pressed the heel of her hand to her head.

"And not having a boyfriend is detrimental?" he asked.

"In my mother's eyes, yes," she answered, looking at him again. "You see, I already have a career that no one in my family really recognizes as being a 'real' career. I'm single, and I'm sick, so there's just too much wrong with me that having a boyfriend would just really help distract from."

"You're sick?" Lee repeated, feeling a bit alarmed.

"Not really," she said dismissively. "I just don't like to eat a lot of food is all. I don't see anything wrong with that, but people label it as being 'sick.'" Lee understood she was referring to an eating disorder without calling it that. He took in her slim frame and could see it.

"I'm sorry you're having this much trouble," he said after a moment.

"Story of my life," she sighed. "Anyway, sorry for rambling. I'm sure you've got other things you want to think about or do. You don't need my crap."

"It's okay."

They looked at each other, and Lee kept feeling that stirring inside the more he took her in. He was surprised by how much she was impacting him right now.

"Lee could do it," Barney piped up now, making them both look at him quizzically.

"Do what?" Lee asked warily.

"Be your fake boyfriend," Barney clarified. He shifted out of kicking range as he said it, but Lee still glowered at him. What was he doing?!

"Oh, no," the woman said, laughing. "No, it's okay. That's got disaster written all over it. No, it's probably just best I own up to my lie and get it over with."

"He's a gentleman," Barney insisted, moving around to stand next to her. "He's funny. He's kind. He's good with kids. He likes dogs..."

"What are you, my walking dating profile?" Lee asked, incredulous.

"Someone's gotta do it," Barney shot back. He looked at the woman again. "Look, it's for a weekend, right? He could do it. That way, you avoid getting judged by your family, and my friend finally gets out of the house for a bit."

"Barney..." Lee warned. Then he saw the woman look at him with contemplation in her eyes now. She was actually considering it. Lee was surprised, but then again, she sounded desperate.

"There might be kissing involved if they say something about it," she told him.

"He's a great kisser," Barney confirmed.

"Stop it, you git," Lee said, embarrassed. "How would you even know that anyway?"

"The amount of lip balm you put on those flappers tells me they're nice and soft...ergo, good kissing material."

"You'll have to excuse my friend," Lee said to the woman while his faced burned with mortification. He gave Barney his best glare. "He's about to die."

"And that's my cue to leave," Barney advised, stepping away and disappearing into the crowd. Lee was pretty sure his face was beet red at this point. He didn't know how to feel about Barney paying that much attention to him. Did he just have nothing better to do? The woman was smiling at him.

"You don't have to do it," she said. "I was just entertaining him. It seemed like he needed it."

"He does. His son is getting married this weekend, and he is being a chicken and won't go meet him."

"He's never met his son?"

"No."

"That's so sad."

"I know, but he won't go," Lee sighed. "That's why we're hanging around here. He thinks he'll be satisfied watching from afar."

"Hmm," she said, still surveying him. She tapped her fingers on the bar top. "Is his son's name Rob?"

"I have no idea. He won't tell me."

"That'd be a crazy coincidence."

"Yes, it would be." Lee doubted it, though. England was a big country; lots of people got married all the time.

"Do you think it's too crazy of an idea?" she asked, going back to it.

"Depends," he said. "I've done crazier."

"Like what?"

"They're long stories."

"Ah."

"So no," he concluded. "I don't think it's crazy. I mean...I'm all for helping people out." He wanted to get to know her more. He realized this was his way to do it. Damn Barney for seeing it before he did.

"Okay," she said, nodding. "Then let's do it. You're really saving my arse, just so you know."

"I'm Lee," he said, holding out his hand.

"Emily," she said back, shaking it. Her touch electrified him.

"Nice to meet you."

"Likewise," she said, smiling. Then she moved to sit on the stool right next to him. "Okay, so...we have a lot of ground to cover."

"Well then," he said, flagging the bartender for another beer, "let's get started."