by Piper Rayne
“He doesn’t want to embarrass a girl who just called a radio station on him? I think this is set up,” I say, my usual skeptical self.
“Either way, it’s hilarious. The perfect way to start your morning.” Reed elbows me gently.
Abe nods his head in agreement. Of course, he’s not going to offend the guy who’s footing the bill.
We continue to listen and the guy explains that the girl told him she slept with some other guy in the class. And then she proceeded to go on and on about how good the guy was in bed.
Reed shoots me a look that says, ‘See? I told you this was the best morning show ever.’ It was funny, especially when the girl said that her date missed out because she’s never had an upset customer.
“Customer?” Reed roars and Abe looks at us through the mirror, his own amusement lighting up his face.
“See how many crazy women are out there? Save me.” He clutches his heart and his head falls to my shoulder.
I push him back up by his forehead. “I think you’ll do just fine out there.”
“I’d do better with you.”
“Stop it. Otherwise this co-commuting stops.”
He holds up his hands. “You can’t tell me you don’t prefer a ride in on an Uber that gets you to work faster while enjoying the company of me and Abe over a jam-packed train.”
I say nothing because what can I say? He has a point and for some reason, I have no snappy comeback for him, so instead I take a sip of my coffee.
When the big architectural high-rises swallow us up as we hit downtown, my body calms knowing my close proximity to Reed is coming to an end. A girl only has so much willpower this early on a Monday morning.
“Abe, my building is right above The Sandwich Place on Washington,” I say.
He nods and smiles through the mirror.
“Have you been? To The Sandwich Place?” Reed asks.
“Yeah, we go a few times a week.”
“I guess I’ll have to frequent there more often.” His teasing grin goes on display.
“I’m usually with my boss.” Hopefully that will keep his stalking tendencies to a minimum.
“I’m as good with bosses as I am with parents.” My stomach flips when he winks.
“Abe, how much longer?” I ask.
Reed chuckles beside me.
“Three minutes,” Abe says.
Luckily, Reed’s phone rings and a scowl appears when he looks at the screen. “I have to take this, hold up.”
“Reed Warner,” he answers with authority. My mind shoots to me secured to a bed with his ties and him using that same stern voice as he explores my body. “No, that’s not the deal.”
The car slows even though there’s plenty of space between the car ahead of us and our bumper. Abe couldn’t make it any more obvious that he’s trying to make sure Reed finishes his phone call before I hop out of the car. We’re inching forward at a snail’s pace and he’s purposely stopping behind the buses now.
“I can get out here,” I lean forward and whisper to Abe.
“Wait until I stop,” he says.
Reed’s hand lands on my knee again and then he holds up one finger. I’ve been here before. When one minute turns into five, turns into one more phone call. I used to sit there next to Pete as everything got pushed ahead of me. Well, my time is important, too.
“I gotta call you back,” Reed says, his eyes on me the entire time. “No, Bill, I don’t give a shit. I’m asking for five minutes, not a lifetime which is exactly what your client is going to get if this goes to jury because you keep me from saying goodbye to my girlfriend.” He doesn’t wait for a reply and clicks the phone off.
“I’m not your girlfriend.”
“Yet.”
“Never.”
“I got it from here. See you tomorrow morning, Abe. Thank you.” He opens his door and steps out of the car.
“Thank you, Abe.” I slide toward the open door.
“See you next Monday,” he answers.
“Oh, no. This was a one and done.”
I accept Reed’s hand but before I clear the interior of the car Abe speaks. “Whatever you say. But I’ll see you Monday.”
I shake my head. Even this Uber driver thinks Reed will get what he wants. Well, I’ve dealt with lawyers before and I don’t fall for their case winning, persuasive closing arguments—anymore. It’s all bullshit sprinkled with a few big words.
“You must be the steak.”
My hand’s not out of Reed’s when his gaze shoots from the woman he doesn’t know back to me. I close my eyes wishing I would’ve fled the car moments earlier because Chelsea will not make this easy on me.
Chapter Fifteen
“Steak?” Reed asks, his eyes lighting up because I’m sure he’s figured out it’s not a bad thing to be compared to.
“Chelsea.” My tone is curt and displeased.
She straightens her computer bag over her shoulder, her gaze taking in every inch of Reed. He’s looking exceptionally attractive today. A gray suit instead of his usual blue. His jacket hangs open displaying a buttoned-up vest underneath which his tie is tucked into. His usual mop of hair is gelled to perfection and a satin-mustard handkerchief that matches his tie peeks out of his front pocket.
“Who dresses you? A Nordstrom’s personal shopper?” Chelsea asks the question I was just wondering.
Reed chuckles, holding his hand out for Chelsea. “Reed Warner, and I take pride in the fact that I’m a big boy now and can dress myself.” He gives her a playful wink.
She accepts his hand, her eyes still roaming over him like he’s too much for her to take in all at once. “Definitely a steak.”
“Chelsea, I think you have an early morning call, right?” I say and nod toward the building.
Her gaze flickers to mine. She could say anything at this moment and that scares me more than Reed’s close proximity.
“Yeah, I’ll leave you two alone. Very nice to meet you, Reed Warner.”
“You too…Chelsea?” he questions since I never properly introduced them.
The sidewalk is filling in with everyone rushing off to work before the start of the day.
“Sorry. Chelsea Walsh,” I point to her. “Reed Warner.”
“Nice to meet a friend of Victoria’s,” Reed says. “Tell me, what’s the secret to getting her to accept a date with me?”
My cheeks heat as Chelsea pretends to think about it. “She’s a tough one for sure.” She taps her lips with a newly manicured nail. “Bribery is probably your best option.”
“Bribery?” Reed questions and glances over at me.
“You just need to figure out what it is she wants most.” She gives me a meaningful look and then looks back at Reed.
“I am a lawyer, so that should be somewhat easy.” The smug grin on his face says he’s playing.
“I better get upstairs before the boss comes in. See you up there, Victoria. I hope to see you again, Reed.” She nods in his direction.
“You’ll see me again. I’m relentless when I want something.”
“That’s for sure,” I mumble.
“Refreshing to see a man who doesn’t give up on what he wants.”
I clear my throat and they both look over at me. “Bye, Chelsea.”
She waves her fingers in the air. “Bye.” She turns on her heels, running right into a man. He grips both her arms to allow her to find her footing again.
He’s wearing jeans, a t-shirt and a black leather jacket, his hair mussed in multiple directions. Not in an I-don’t-care way, but in a sexy, I-just-got-fucked kind of way.
“Hello, there.” Chelsea’s voice oozes seduction. “Care to escort me to my building?”
The man laughs, staring down at her with a promise of reckless, casual sex that will surely leave her legs wobbly. Huh. Maybe I get the bad boy obsession a little bit after all.
“Didn’t I see you in the courtroom just last week?” Reed says next to me.
“Huh?”
The bad boy stares over at Reed and it’s clear the moment he recognizes him.
Chelsea turns, the guy still holding her up. “You’re a criminal?” she asks him, half with disgust, half with what sounds like intrigue.
The man nods.
Chelsea stands back.
“What are we talking? Murder? Robbery? Armed robbery?” I’m not sure if Chelsea is hoping he was there for a misdemeanor or a felony.
“You should move it along.”
Reed’s stern voice has him taking the suggestion and he winks, his brown eyes almost promising Chelsea that they’ll have fun another time. Then he crosses the street to the sound of brakes slamming and horns honking at him.
“Did you see that chiseled jaw?” Chelsea’s head circles around like she’s about to pass out.
“I saw that he’s unfamiliar with a crosswalk,” I deadpan.
Reed raises his eyebrows at me. “I better get going so I can stay on schedule this morning.” His warm body stays close to me.
“Thank you for the ride.” I smile politely.
“You’re welcome.”
His teeth bite down on his bottom lip and I wait for whatever else he wants to say.
“Standing date next Monday,” he says.
“Not a date.”
He’s smiling before he even says the word I know is coming next. “Yet.”
“Never,” I singsong like the joke is getting old and roll my eyes.
He glances down the road to the courthouse and then back to me. “Tell Chelsea that guy isn’t the guy for her. Remember I’m the ADA. It’s my job to be able to tell the good from the bad.”
“I haven’t forgotten.” It’s one of the reasons I’m keeping him at arm’s length.
“I know you haven’t.” He frowns for a brief moment. “Have a great day, Victoria.” He runs his hand down my arm, a path of goose bumps chasing behind his touch.
“Bye.” The word comes out needy and breathier than I intended.
He grins then steps off the corner, raising his hand as he continues to look down the one-way street and reaches the other side without one squeal of brakes or honk of a horn. Stopping on the other side, he circles around and a case-winning smile crosses his face when he sees that I’m still watching him.
“Lovesick puppy!” Chelsea calls out from the entrance of the building. “I thought you were playing hard to get!”
I swivel on my heels and dodge the people walking along the sidewalk like I’m in a game of Frogger until I reach Chelsea.
“I’m not playing hard to get.” We step through the doors and I press the up button on the elevator.
“Sure, you are.”
We get on the elevator, and I’m thankful no one else joins us. Chelsea isn’t good at keeping her mouth shut in front of others.
“I am not. I just don’t want a relationship,” I say as I press the button for our floor.
Her face morphs to a stone-cold serious expression. “The man I just met practically has a sticker on his forehead that says, ‘I’m excellent in bed. Use me, abuse me, and toss me aside.’”
Diagnosis confirmed—Chelsea is nuts.
“No, he doesn’t. He has a ‘I’d be a devoted husband, fun dad and love you forever’ sticker.”
The corners of her lips tilt up until she notices I’m watching her and then she tempers her reaction. “Just sleep with the guy and get it over with.”
“He’s not that type of guy, plus—”
She rolls her eyes. “Every guy is that type of guy, Vic. What is it really?”
The bell dings, and the doors slide open, leaving us in the RISE foyer in front of the glass doors. We step off the elevator and I turn to face her.
“I haven’t dated anyone since the divorce. You think I don’t see what a wonderful guy he is? I do, and that’s why he can’t be my rebound guy.”
I walk through the glass doors and into my work area, Chelsea following behind.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. I thought we weren’t going out with him because he’s a lawyer and was the best man at your wedding? Now you’re bringing in a third reason?” Chelsea sits down in the chair across from me as I boot up my computer.
“There’s a host of reasons. Lawyers lie, yes, but technically he works for the public interest to put the bad guys behind bars, a noble profession. The best man thing is bound to cause trouble, but it really would be a great fuck you to Pete if I did sleep with his best man. Not that I would because of that.”
She leans forward in her seat and points to me. “He deserves it.”
“I’m not against ever getting married again, or dating, or living with someone, but right now I need to finish school. I need to make it, so my mom lives with me, not the other way around. I want to show Jade how to live your own life and let the man join your life, not become your life. Reed’s the type of guy who will gladly add us onto his shoulders—he’ll house us, feed us, clothe us, and love us.” My voice quivers despite my best effort to stop it from doing so.
“Vic,” Chelsea sighs. “You can have all that and get your degree and have a career.”
I shake my head. “Maybe, and Reed might be the person to allow me that, but what if he’s a rebound and I lose him because I’m not mentally able to move on yet? There’s a reason I haven’t dated in so long.”
Chelsea leans back with a forlorn expression on her face and I wish I was capable of reading her mind right now.
“I understand.” She stands and leans forward to squeeze my hand before walking down the hallway. “But at least screw him.” The echo of her laugh trails along with her as she heads into her office.
The office door opens and Hannah races in, her heels clicking faster than I’ve ever seen before. “Just the person I need to beg.” She points to me and doesn’t stop, but heads right into her office.
What now?
Chapter Sixteen
“Beg?” I ask following Hannah into her office.
Her space is like walking into a Pottery Barn office catalog if there was such a thing for office furniture. White desk with a green fabric chair tucked underneath. A leather couch and a flower-patterned chair are arranged in the corner with some knick-knacks with empowering sayings by women strewn throughout the space. Don’t get me wrong, it’s all beautifully done. She had a decorator, but the vision was hers. It screams femininity and I love that she didn’t cave to the typical dreary brown and gray office furniture.
“I need a lawyer.”
I tilt my head. “A divorce lawyer?”
“No. I’m already divorced.” She holds up her left hand where her ring finger remains empty. “Someone to look over some contracts. There’s a similar foundation out there that’s coming after us saying that our name and slogan is too similar.”
“Oh no. Okay, I can look someone up. I’m sure it won’t be a problem.” I jot it down on my pad of paper. “What about that tax attorney who called the office a few weeks back?”
She’s already shaking her head. “He’s great with numbers, but I need someone who knows lawsuits and contracts. Not to mention, I already tried him. He’s on vacation or something. His secretary said he couldn’t be reached. Where does someone go that a cell phone can’t be answered or an email sent?”
She scrunches her face up as if the thought is really beyond her understanding. The man’s probably on an anniversary trip with his wife or a family trip and doesn’t want to be disturbed.
“I’ll find someone.” I turn around to head to my computer thinking this will be an easy task.
“Victoria?”
I circle back around. She’s sitting down in her chair and plugging in her laptop now.
“What about that steak guy? Isn’t he a lawyer?”
I wave her off. “He’s the assistant district attorney. We should probably find a specialist for this.”
She types in her password, and then leans back in her chair, her fingernails tapping on her desk. “Could you give him a call? He’s what, just down the stre
et, right?” She glances out the window as if she can see his office from here. Which she probably can since we’re high enough in the building.
“Um… I’m sure he’s busy. I guarantee I can find someone else.” I step backward.
“Maybe he can just take a quick look on his lunch break?”
Why is she pressing this issue?
“Um…”
“You’re not comfortable with it.” She waves me off. “I would never put you in an uncomfortable position. Never mind.”
All the tension leaves my body.
“It’s just this company is threatening to file later today and I’m desperate for someone to make sense of this,” she continues. “There are terms I just don’t understand. This will affect the programs we’re already implementing with the girls and I’d hate for them to stop. Losing traction would be detrimental to our efforts.” She pauses for a second. “Once you find someone, try to get them here today. I’ll pay double.”
I nod, stepping out of the room.
Shit, shit, shit. She’s not even a mother and she can guilt trip almost as well as my own. Fuck.
I sit down at my desk. Finding the right lawyer is easy, getting him or her here today even with double pay, will not be. And what if we end up with one of those ambulance chasers because we don’t have time to vet the right person? And then there are the girls. Girls my daughter’s age.
With a mental curse, I pull my cell phone out of my purse.
Holding it in my lap, I stare down at it for a few seconds. This is a business transaction. I’ll offer to pay him. Yes, brilliant. If he’s getting paid, then it’s not a favor.
Convinced I’ve come up with the best possible plan given the circumstances, I pull up his name.
Me: Do you have lunch plans?
Three dots appear immediately, and I wonder if there’s ever a time he doesn’t have his cell phone close at hand.
Reed: Is this Victoria?
Me: Do a lot of women text you asking about your lunch plans?
Reed: Well…I am a catch. Just ask your friend Chelsea.
Me: Try to get a hold of your ego for a second. This is business related.