As Grayson parked on Claire’s street, his gaze went to her building. “How long have you lived here?”

“Since I started law school.” Her tone turning defensive, she said, “I guess it’s no secret. My parents own it.”

Guilt spread through Grayson. Her reaction was his fault. At the safe house, he’d implied she was a spoiled brat. Hell, he hadn’t just implied it; he’d actually said it. If only he could go back in time and change the past nine days.

He got out of the Suburban, checked the street, and went around to open Claire’s door and get her bags. She fished a set of keys from her purse as they headed toward her building. Her third-floor condo opened onto a limestone-tiled foyer, its walls lined with textured khaki-colored wallpaper.

He’d seen the place briefly when he’d come to get her dog but hadn’t taken a good look around. Now he did.

“This is really nice.”

Claire studied him as if she was trying to determine whether he was mocking her or not.

“I mean it.”

Her gaze moved away from his and swept the room. “It’s not my style, exactly. My mother had it decorated for me.”

Grayson pushed aside the memory of his own mother offering to decorate his place as he studied Claire’s living room. Suede chairs complemented a matching gray sofa, dotted with accent pillows in patterns of bright yellow and white. A glass coffee table matched the glass table in the dining room, surrounded by high-backed contemporary chairs upholstered in white.

“Why isn’t it your style?”

She shrugged. “It’s a little stuffy.”

He smiled. It was kind of stuffy. Elegant, but a little too formal at the same time.

Claire’s dog took that moment to thunder out from wherever he’d been. He ran up to Claire and jumped up to throw his paws on her shoulders, nearly bowling her over. She cupped his face, grinning at him, and when the large dog dropped back to the floor, she crouched down to give him a hug.

Grayson shook his head slowly, surprised at how Claire interacted with her dog. Most women, especially those dressed in designer clothes like Claire, would have chastised the animal for jumping on them, but she seemed to welcome his enthusiastic attention.

“Oh my goodness, I didn’t know you were home yet. I’ve missed you so much.” She giggled as the dog licked her face enthusiastically. “Sit, Charlie.”

Charlie’s tail thumped on the floor as he obeyed.

Claire looked up at Grayson. “Do you like dogs?”

Still a little stunned, he nodded. “I like them fine.”

She turned her attention back to the dog. “Did you have a good nap?”

Charlie’s eyes were expressive, almost sad-looking as he moved his head forward and nuzzled Claire.

“Want a treat?” she asked and Charlie instantly flopped around, skidding slightly as he began a gallop toward the kitchen. Claire laughed as she rose to her feet.

The sound of her happiness sent an unfamiliar warmth spreading through Grayson. He cleared his throat as they walked toward the kitchen. “He’s active.”

“This is nothing. You should have seen him when he was a puppy.” In the kitchen, she took a plastic container from a white-lacquered cabinet. “Like I told Cam and Autumn, teething was really something.”

“Did he chew any of Gabe’s shoes?”

“Yes, actually.” A look of surprise crossed her face. “A pair of thousand-dollar Italian loafers.”

Grayson chuckled. “Smart dog.”

Claire shook her head, but a smile lifted the corners of her mouth as she gave Charlie his treat.

“What time is your meeting?”

Claire checked the time. “In an hour. I should probably get changed.”

She left the kitchen and returned a short time later wearing a long-sleeved sapphire-blue dress that contrasted beautifully with her auburn hair. Grayson’s gaze moved down to the suede heels she wore. From head to toe, she was model perfect.

He cleared his throat. “Ready to go?”

“Yes.”

After promising Charlie she’d be back soon, she picked up her tote and led the way out of the condo. She explained her law school project as he drove them to the jail.

As he listened, Grayson’s guilt made a comeback. This was why Claire had asked to get in touch with her professor. And what had he done? Been a jerk about it, giving her nothing but a hard time.

“Chris can’t seem to catch a break,” Claire said. “Life’s been pretty rough for him.”

Grayson glanced her way. “He’s important to you.”

She nodded. “I think he could get on a good path if only something would go his way.”

As he stopped at a light, Grayson turned to study her for a moment. “I bet you were the one in school who defended the other kids.”

She gave him an amused look. “Why do you say that?”

“Just a guess. Am I right?”

She shrugged. “There might have been a couple times.”

“Name one.”

She looked away as if trying to capture a memory. “In elementary school, there was a kid accused of starting a fight.”

“He didn’t do it?”

“No, but he’d started a lot of fights in the past. It was why the teacher had assumed it was him.”

“What happened?”

“The teacher finally believed him.”

Understanding what she didn’t say, Grayson smiled. “Because the senator’s daughter got involved.”

Claire stared out the windshield, not meeting his gaze. “I was the mayor’s daughter back then.”

“Is it strange being in the public eye?”

She nodded. “It’s not like we’re the highest-profile family or anything, but everything my parents say or do is scrutinized by the press, so they’re really into outward appearances.”

“You feel the pressure too.”

“For my parents’ sake? I guess I do.”

“They must be proud of you.”

Claire gave him a wry smile that made Grayson’s heart thump. Reluctantly, he broke his gaze away and accelerated through the intersection.

Speaking with Claire was enjoyable. More than enjoyable. It felt natural.

And there were very few people he could say that about.