Birth of Adam (Artificial Intelligence Book 2) by Liza O'Connor

she reined in her newly born infatuation and observed to herself Mark probably exceeded Chad’s dating numbers by double. Hell, he could have twenty girls tonight if he procured a supply of Viagra.
    A warm hand settled on her back. She looked up in time to be kissed on each cheek by Jules. Upon discovering she was presently attached to Mark, Jules said something to him, and Mark released her hand, but not until he’d kissed it and smiled at her.
    Jules led her out to the audience, where Harold, Geoffrey, Dr. Wilson, Mrs. Wilson, and Dr. Branson stood in a group. When she and Jules arrived, Harold spoke. “My dear, I apologize for ever believing you had improperly been given a grant.”
    “Don’t apologize to me! It’s Dr. Wilson and Dr. Branson you gravely insulted,” Amanda replied.
    Harold turned to Wilson and Branson, who were smirking. Before he had time to apologize, the university president approached the group.
    “I’m waiting,” Wilson declared, and nodded to the president.
    “I have evidently ‘gravely insulted you’ for implying you had placed Miss Carrington among the grant recipients for the wrong reason. I should not have judged the situation without hearing her, and I was completely wrong to suggest you and Dr. Branson would ever be swayed by anything other than your love of music.”
    The president smiled, then leaned forward and held his hand out to Amanda. “It was a pleasure to hear you again, Miss Carrington.”
    Amanda smiled and shook his hand.
    He then looked at Harold with disappointment. “That was a very nice apology, Harold. I’m only sorry it was necessary.”
    “As am I,” Harold said, then looked at Mrs. Wilson. “I suppose I owe you an apology as well.”
    Mrs. Wilson glared at him. “Don’t bother. I’ve never liked you, and I finally have a good reason that not even Sam can chide me for.”
    Dr. Wilson kissed his wife’s temple and smiled. “In this matter, I will never scold you again,” he promised.
    Mark arrived and shook everyone’s hand except for Mrs. Wilson, whom he kissed on each cheek. “You look very beautiful.”
    “Well, if you will excuse us, gentlemen, we have a late dinner reservation,” Jules declared, and tried to lead Mark and Amanda away, but Dr. Wilson stopped them.
    “Amanda, give me your word you will not sign anything without having a lawyer read it first.”
    “I promise.” He looked so worried, she added, “I have a very good lawyer who would never forgive me if I did otherwise.”
    “May we go now?” Jules asked with obvious annoyance in his voice.

Chapter Ten
    As Amanda, Mark and Mr. Bavard left the concert hall, her driver, Andrew, stepped forward.
    “Oh, my driver,” she exclaimed, and explained to Andrew they were going to a restaurant.
    “I’ll take you,” Andrew insisted.
    “I’ll see Miss Carrington home,” Jules assured him.
    “I’m sorry, sir, but it’s my job to drive Miss Carrington about and see her safely home. The limousine is very comfortable.”
    Jules sighed and nodded his agreement.
    Upon stepping outside, Jules stared at the Bentley parked at the curb. Once they climbed in, he eyed Amanda. “Clearly you are not a starving musician.”
    “No,” she admitted.
    He sighed and looked at Mark. “I had planned to take you out to celebrate a fine performance before heading off to Europe. However, I must apologize, because I really need to learn a bit more about Miss Carrington’s history, and I don’t dare allow her to head off to Europe without determining whether I wish to represent her.”
    “Well, if you’re asking me to bow out so you can interrogate her alone, I’m going to refuse, because I want to know more about Amanda as well,” Mark replied. “After all, we are going to be roommates.”
    While Amanda was shocked by his claim, Jules appeared ready to blow his top.
    “Aren’t there other girls in the twelve going?” he growled.
    “There are, but they all hate her. Everyone hates