“I made a couple of calls, and word on the street is Steven has decreased his workload at Carvers Firm. He’s been traveling out of town a lot. Rumors state, he’s decided to move from criminal cases and is exploring other options.”
No, no, no…not after all this time. He couldn’t just walk back in her life. Christina closed that chapter a very long time ago, locked it, and threw away the key.
Stan frowned. “If Steven Mitchell is involved, so is trouble.”
Trouble with a capital T. She couldn’t find her voice, but the one in her head shouted all sorts of obscenities.
Stan bent forward, his grey hair now whiter since his heart attack. He tapped the arm of her chair to get her complete attention. “I need my best divorce lawyer on this case.”
“I can’t!”
Stan sat on the chair next to hers. He stared into her eyes, grimacing.
She shook her head. She hadn’t meant to come across so brash. “I’m sorry, Stan. This has been a rough week and I really need a break. There must be someone else who can handle this? Greg’s caseload is low and he’d jump at the chance to go up against Stev…Steven Mitchell.”
“Gwen is family. She deserves my best, and my best is you. All I need is a day. We’ll meet with Steven in the morning and see what he’s up to. I’m sure between the two of us, we can convince him to settle.” Stan sat forward again. “I’ll have the company jet ready and waiting to take you to your sister. You can finalize the papers when you get back.”
Sure, sounded simple when Stan explained how the case would go. If only Christina’s nerves weren’t tingling from head to toe, warning her to run. Ignoring the screams inside her head, she nodded. She couldn’t tell Stan why she didn’t want to take the case. He’d ask too many questions, ones that were too personal to answer.
“Great.” Stan stood and walked her to the door. “Don’t worry. Steven hasn’t handled a divorce in years. He’s way out of his league on this one.”
Christina forced a smile and tucked the folder under her arm. Just when she thought her day couldn’t get any worse. Dumped for the fifth time, and now Steven. She glanced to the ceiling. What did I do to deserve such punishment?
Chapter Two
Christina slapped the case file on the center of her mahogany desk and paced the length of her office. A curse. What else could be the reason behind her terrible bad luck? Had she done something horribly wrong in a past life and now had to pay the price? She stepped to the window and crossed her arms, staring down to the busy street, watching people bustle to and fro. One man in a dark suit waved his hand in the air and a taxi pulled up next to the curb. A woman in a long flowing skirt stood at the bus stop and reached inside her purse for her pass card. Everyone had a purpose, somewhere to be, and someone to go home to.
“Christina, are you okay?”
She turned from the window to find her assistant, Jill, standing in her office doorway. Jill had said something when Christina stormed past her desk and into her own office, but she’d been too absorbed in her own thoughts to stop.
Jill opened her mouth, but then hesitated. She searched Christina’s face. “You don’t look well. Would you like some water?”
“No, thank you. I’m fine. You said something a moment ago?”
“Your sister called while you were gone. She said she’d call back later.” Jill paused, her brows wrinkling. “Are you sure I can’t get you anything?”
Christina shook her head. If a glass of water could make this case disappear, she’d drink a whole jug.
Jill returned to her desk.
Christina plopped onto her chair and retrieved a pad of paper from the top drawer, making a few notes while the case information was fresh in her mind.
An hour and a full page of annotations later, the telephone buzzed. She answered the intercom call. “Yes, Jill.”
“Your sister is holding on line three.”
“Thank you.” Christina sighed and pressed the flashing button. “Hi, Tanya. This is a surprise.”
“Don’t be like that. Sarcasm doesn’t become you,” Tanya snapped. “I’m calling to tell you I’m having a nervous breakdown, but if you’re not interested in your little sister’s health…”
“You’re suffering from pre-wedding jitters, not a breakdown. Breathe slowly and have a glass of wine. I’ll be there tomorrow evening.”
“What! You said you would arrive after lunch.”
Christina knew her sister wouldn’t be happy about the change in plans. These days, Tanya blew any small bump in the road into a huge deal. “Stan needs me to assist with a new case, and we’re meeting the opposing lawyer tomorrow morning. I’m catching a flight after the conference.”
“You promised, no more work. You’re supposed to be on vacation.”
Christina rubbed her fingertips against her temples. This wedding had her sister conveniently forgetting how many vacations Tanya missed while designing the next amazing outfit. The water Jill offered sounded like a good idea now.
“Christina?” Tanya whined through the receiver.
“What? Don’t worry. This case is nothing. Stan offered the company plane, so I should land by six.”
Her sister sighed. “I really wanted you here earlier, but I guess I can wait a few more hours. I’m anxious for you to meet Brian’s parents, and his brother is supposed to join us, too.”
In the background, a male voice called Tanya’s name.
“Brian is home. I’ve got to go. We’ll be waiting at the airport. See you then. Love you.”
“I love you, too.” Christina dropped the receiver back to the cradle. The anxiety in her sister’s voice was clearly obvious. She’d have to step cautiously around Tanya the next few days. Christina didn’t want Tanya to discover the ticking bomb she’d been handed today. Telling Tanya about receiving a new case just before the wedding and Steven’s re-entry into Christina’s life would only add more stress to the load her sister already carried.
She prepared the paperwork for the new case, thinking the opposing lawyer wasn’t an issue, but every time Christina read Steven’s name on the documents, she experienced a glaring visual of his blue eyes creeping into her thoughts. The last encounter they shared had been the worst moment of her life, and almost destroyed her career.
The memories tormented her until a knock on the door brought her back to earth. “Come in.”
“Quitting time.” Vince entered, placed his palms on her desk, and leaned forward. “I thought you’d have left by now.”
“I’m preparing a list of judicial proceedings for tomorrow.” The words flowed easy enough, but Christina didn’t think she would ever be prepared to face Steven again. She checked her watch, already past six. “I lost track of time.”
“Some of us are headed to Dockers for dinner and you are, too. No excuses.”
Her stomach grumbled at the thought of food “I would love to.”
She smiled and slipped the documents into file folders before tossing them in her tray.
Vince lifted her cream cotton coat from the hook behind the door and placed it over her shoulders.
She snatched her purse from under her desk and linked her arm through his as he led them toward the elevator. Christina winked. “Your treat, right?”
The restaurant was only a block away. Many of their fellow co-workers had already arrived by the time they walked in. They sat at their usual table, the last oval booth near the far corner window. Staff members of Robertson and Associates often gathered at Dockers after a long day at the office. Despite the grim atmosphere of worn black leather seats, scratched tables, and low lighting, the food was delicious.
“Thank you for the adamant dinner invitation,” Christina whispered to Vince, after devouring her fish and chips within minutes. Apparently, she had been very hungry. She set the fork and knife on her empty plate and dabbed a napkin over her lips.
“If you really want to thank me…” Vince teased and swung his arm around her shoulders, pulling
her close.
With her elbow, she nudged his ribs.
Greg rapped his knuckles on the table. “Christina, I hear you’re pleading a divorce case against Steven Mitchell,” he said. “I heard he declined a lucrative criminal hearing. What’s he’s up to?”
Every head and gaze at the table shifted her way. Christina squirmed on the seat. She wasn’t surprised they heard about the proceeding. News as intriguing as this traveled quickly. “I guess I’ll find out tomorrow.” She forced a smile.
“I’d kill for the opportunity to trade wits with Steven.” Greg clapped his hands together. “A win against him pretty well sky-rockets a career.” He pointed at her. “You’re one lucky lady.”
Lucky wasn’t quite the word Christina would use to describe this situation. Someone shoot me, please. That sounded more accurate.
Everyone soon joined the discussion. The men recounted Steven’s infamous courtroom strategies, while the women bragged about his talents in less public forums.
Christina shifted, rubbing her shoulders back and forth against the booth. This conversation irritated her last nerve. She turned to Vince with raised eyebrows, hoping he’d heed her silent request.
After connecting with her gaze, he nodded. “Christina, could I speak with you privately at the bar?”
The table went quiet.
“Relax, people.” He stood and offered his hand. “I only want to pick her brain on some research I’m doing.”
The group resumed their conversations.
Vince guided Christina to the bar, placed an elbow on the counter, and waved at the bartender, ordering two screwdrivers. “Why didn’t you tell me about Mitchell?”
She sat on a barstool, dreading this conversation. “Stan brought me the case this morning, after you left. He’s close to the family and insisted I handle the proceedings. We’re meeting Steven in the morning.”
“This won’t be easy.”
Her heart sank, touched by the concern in Vince’s eyes. She placed a hand on his arm. “Stan gave me no choice.” Christina shook her head. “But this isn’t his fault. I haven’t told Stan about Steven. I’ll just have to pretend our paths never crossed.”
The bartender flipped the liquor bottle in his hand and poured two shots in each glass. He topped off with orange juice and ice, tossed in stir-sticks, and slid the drinks across the bar.
Vince tossed a few bills on the counter, and then passed her a glass. “I thought you could use something stronger than the wine you had with dinner.”
She smiled and took a sip, the double shot of vodka warming the back of her throat. “I must admit my first impulse will probably be to jump across the table and tear Steven in half. I’m dreading tomorrow’s meeting. I would rather make a deal with the devil.”
“I think they’re the same person.” Vince shrugged. “If he gives you any trouble…”
She grazed her fingertips over his arm, hoping to ease the sarcasm from his tone. “Again to my rescue? When will you find someone who deserves all this attention?”
“I’m still hoping you’ll break that damn dating rule.”
“Your friendship keeps me sane. Lately, I’ve started to think I’m going crazy,” she whispered.
Vince laughed. “What makes you say that?”
An eerie shiver coursed down her spine. Christina turned on the stool and glanced around the room. Other than the co-worker table, three couples sat at booths, a few men she recognized from another law firm gathered at a table, and a cuddly couple occupied stools at the end of the bar. A cool breeze trickled across her shoulders. She spun on her seat. The tail end of a long black coat had just disappeared out the door.
“You were about to explain why you should be committed.”
Christina swallowed another mouthful of her drink and glanced at Vince. She shook off the disturbing sensation she experienced more than once over the past few weeks. She leaned close, whispering in his ear, “I feel like I’m being watched. Everywhere I go. When I’m on a date. When I’m walking home at night.”
Vince straightened and darted a narrowed stare around the room.
“Hey, Vince.” The bartender shouted. “Call for you.” He tipped his head to the end of the counter.
Vince gently squeezed her shoulder before answering the phone. He lifted the receiver and moved his lips. He paused, frowned, and spoke a second time. “That was weird.” He returned, shaking his head.
“What’s up?” She wondered what the call was about to cause the scowl on his face.
He waved, calling over the bartender. “No one was on the line. Did they say anything?”
“Just wanted to talk to you. Sorry, bud.” The bartender pulled the towel from his shoulder and returned to drying the glasses.
“Why would someone call the lounge and not my cell?” Vince rolled his eyes. “Perhaps we’re both going crazy. Come on, I’ll drive you home.”
Fifteen minutes later, Vince walked around her apartment. He inspected the living room, spying behind the chocolate faux-suede sofa and inside the front closet. He quickly searched the tiny kitchen before sliding open the glass shower door in the bathroom. Her bedroom and guest room were next. Vince examined inside the closets and checked the lock on the windows.
Christina followed him from room to room, trying to convince him her suspicions were unwarranted, even thought her skin crawled with uneasiness.
“You wouldn’t have brought up the subject, if you weren’t concerned.” He placed a hand on her arm, squeezing it gently.
After two hours of assuring Vince she was safe, Christina bit back a sigh of relief when he left. She watched him through the peephole as he waited on the other side of the closed door while she clicked the deadbolt in place.
She shouldn’t have mentioned anything, knowing full well what his reaction would be. But something at the lounge triggered that same spooky wariness she sensed on her most recent dates. Maybe that’s why they all dumped her the next day. They didn’t want to date the odd woman who covertly glanced around a restaurant every few minutes.
Christina pushed aside the corner of the curtain in the living room, peeking through the window to the empty street. The sidewalks were quiet, and no sign of life moved throughout the park in the glow of the overhead lights. The gentle summer wind ruffled a newspaper lying on a wooden bench and the leaves on the maple trees danced a waltz.
She dropped the curtain and headed to the bathroom, filling the tub with hot water and adding a scented bubble bar. The water quickly turned soft pink and a perfume of spring roses drifted through the room. She inhaled the fragrance, letting the tension ease from her body. She slipped out of her clothes, twisted her hair into a high ponytail on the top of her head, and stepped into the warm bath.
Paranoia was getting the best of her. She doubted anyone had been following her, and now was quite safe in her brownstone apartment. The newly renovated brick building was located in a quiet residential neighborhood, just outside the busy downtown district. When she had been house hunting, the beautiful park across the street and the fifteen-minute bus route that dropped her off directly in front of her office building attracted her immediately. The two-level U-shaped complex consisted of fifty apartments and twenty townhouses. Christina had acquired one of the townhouses with a living room, kitchen, and bathroom on the lower level and two bedrooms above. The house was small, but cozy.
After Tanya got engaged and moved to Ottawa with Brian, the house grew quiet. At first, Christina welcomed the stillness, but then the silence became lonely. She ran her fingers through the mountain of bubbles.
She missed the companionship of someone waiting at the end of a long day. She soon realized how isolated her life had become. For so long, her career had been her only focus, and now she longed for more. She wanted to have someone she couldn’t wait to come home to. Just like those she imagined the people on the street were rushing to.
Christina let the long days at the office take priority over everything else, and
now that she achieved her goal, she had no one special to share her life with. She craved what Tanya had—a successful career and a family. At thirty, Christina should be getting married, not her twenty-six-year-old sister. Deep envy pulled at her heart. She wished to find the man of her dreams, fall in love, get married, and plan a family. Her biological clock was ticking away the seconds, and she didn’t want to be the local spinster who lived alone with ten cats.
Unfortunately, she hated the bar scene. Yet, she let Vince drag her out weekend after weekend, scouring through wads of lonely hearts looking for love…or so she thought. The men she met were interested, all right—in a good-time one-night stand. Not a long-lasting relationship. The desperate heart club frustrated her, leaving her no choice but to date men in her field. Something she swore she’d never do again.
To her surprise, several eligible lawyers were seeking love, and as soon as word spread that she was dating, her telephone rang non-stop. They had stable professions, were wealthy, and handsome. What more could she ask for? How about getting past the first and second dates! Christina slapped her hand on the water, creating a ripple of waves and a burst of bubbles in the air.
This lack of a permanent relationship, not to mention the added pressure of her sister’s wedding, didn’t help the paranoia. Obviously, the stress caused her to think some seriously stupid thoughts. Believing a mysterious man was following her? That idiotic notion had to be fashioned in her head. No doubt all those romantic suspense movies she’d been watching didn’t help.
Christina stepped out of the tub and wrapped a large towel around her. She then blow-dried her hair and slipped a cotton nightdress over her head. As she slipped between the cotton bed sheets and turned off the nightstand lamp, she wondered if Vince might be onto something, mentioning the possible eligible men at the wedding. Maybe the man of her dreams was waiting there. If only she could stop thinking of Tanya’s wedding as a depressing failure in her own life and view this event as an opportunity for her future.
Law Of Attraction Page 2