person to get a photo of Jack wearing one of those baby-carrier things wins.”
Cameron laughed at that—then paused. “What’s the pool up to?”
“Last I heard it was five hundred bucks.”
“Hell, I want in.”
On his way out the door, Cade thanked Cameron again. “One thing. Do you mind if I tell Rylann before you make an announcement to the office?” He had a feeling he’d be seeing the other AUSA, who was finally back in the office after a two-week trial and weeklong vacation, in a short while for their daily Starbucks run. He preferred that she heard the news about the acting U.S. attorney position from him directly.
Cameron nodded in understanding. “Of course.”
* * *
WHEN HE GOT back to his office, Cade shut his door behind him, sat down at his desk, and soaked it in.
Acting U.S. Attorney Cade Morgan.
That had a real nice ring to it.
Deciding that a celebration was in order that evening, he scrolled through his options. There was Vaughn, of course—there was always Vaughn. And Huxley, too. He quickly ruled out any of his AUSA friends. Many of them were ambitious, like him, and he didn’t want to rub this promotion, even if temporary, in their faces.
So Vaughn and Huxley it was.
Unless . . .
Perhaps a text message to Ms. Brooke Parker of Sterling Restaurants might be in order.
Admittedly, after that weird moment last Sunday, when he’d felt compelled to drop by her office with the Brooke Burger, he’d wanted to put some precautionary distance between them. Just . . . because.
But he was fine now. Back on his game. And if he wanted to celebrate this good news with a hot date, he saw no problem with that.
With that in mind, he pulled out his phone and texted Brooke. He infused a little flirtation in his opening salvo, just to feel her out. YOU NEVER THANKED ME FOR THE BURGER. INGRATE.
He checked his work e-mail and fired off a few quick replies. About ten minutes later, he got a text message from Brooke.
SOMEBODY WOULD’VE BEEN THANKED IN PERSON, IF HE HADN’T STORMED OUT OF MY OFFICE AS PART OF SOME CRANKY-MAN TIRADE.
He smiled while replying.
OUT OF THE KINDNESS OF MY HEART, I’LL LET YOU THANK ME IN PERSON OVER DINNER TONIGHT. GOT GOOD NEWS TODAY, NEED TO CELEBRATE.
JUST HOW GOOD IS THIS GOOD NEWS? she wrote back.
Cade thought about that. ON A SCALE OF MEH TO HOLY-SHIT-I-JUST-WON-THE-ROSE-BOWL, I’D SAY THIS COMES IN AT REALLY DAMN COOL.
A minute later, his cell phone rang.
“I was typing out my reply and realized it would be faster just to call,” Brooke said when he picked up. “I’m intrigued by this ‘really damn cool’ news of yours.” Her voice turned contrite. “But unfortunately, I can’t do dinner tonight. I’m being wined and dined by the outside counsel we hired to assist with our EEO training sessions last week. Presumably, they intend to use this as an opportunity to hit me up for more business.” She paused. “I’m sorry, Cade. Of course, I would be stuck working.”
Like he was going to let her off so easily. “I can work around your schedule, Cinderella,” he teased. “How about if we meet for drinks after your dinner?”
There was a pause before she answered. “I’d like that. I should be free by nine o’clock, if that’s not too late.”
Cade realized then just how much he was looking forward to seeing her that night.
Pfft. Obviously, for all the sex he’d soon be getting.
“Nine o’clock it is,” he said. “I’ll pick you up at your place.”
“I’ll have a Denver omelette waiting.”
“That’s cute.”
She added one last thing before hanging up. “And, Cade, whatever this news is—congratulations.”
With a smile, Cade tucked his phone into his suit jacket.
“From that grin, I’m guessing that some defendant, or his attorney, is about to have a really bad day.”
Hearing the woman’s voice, Cade checked his watch and saw it was three o’clock on the dot.
Starbucks time.
He turned around in his chair and saw a familiar face standing in the doorway. “Well, look who’s back in town. How was the vacation?”
Rylann Pierce, one of the other AUSAs in the special prosecutions division, stepped into his office. “Much needed. If I never again see another ten-defendant, thirteen-count mortgage fraud case, it’ll be too soon.”
“I bet the week in Bora Bora helped,” Cade said. “People are saying that Rhodes whisked you off as soon as the guilty verdicts came in, to a helicopter waiting on the roof of the building.”