say.”
He sat adjacent to her. “So, Ms. Hayley. How do we deal with the rest of the trial? We talked about a truce. Still on board with that?”
“I am, but what makes you think we can carry it off?”
Paul shifted in his seat. He seemed nervous, too. “Well, for one, we don’t have a choice. We can’t go to jail again, though it had some high points.”
She swallowed hard and hoped he didn’t notice.
“The case will probably end today,” he continued. “And, um, I’m not allowed in the courtroom with you again.”
“Me either, with you. I feel like a teenager who’s being punished.”
“I had that exact thought.” He waited. “Did your client call you?”
“Yes, his mother did. She wasn’t happy with what happened Friday. You?”
“My uppity parents read me the riot act. I threatened to quit if they didn’t settle down, and they probably knew they wouldn’t be able to replace me with someone of my caliber.”
“Modest, aren’t you?” Hayley teased.
“No, are you?”
“Not where my job is concerned.”
“So, we agree we have to do better today. Promise you’ll be on your best behavior.”
She chuckled. “Promise? Where’d that come from?”
His blue eyes shadowed. “It was a thing we did as kids. If we promised not to do or say something, it was sacred. Far as I know, none of us betrayed that.”
“That’s nice. Okay, Mr. Paul, I promise to be on my best behavior.”
“As do I.”
He checked his watch. “We have a few minutes. What about you and your brothers? How do you get along?”
“Great. We had a common enemy.”
“Who was that?”
“My mother. Finn, Ronan and I were very close. Finn and I still are.”
“What about Ronan?”
“Now there’s the million-dollar question. One I don’t have time to answer.” She stood. “Ready to go?”
“Yes.”
Hayley noticed his hand at her back all the way to the courtroom. Once inside, they both argued calmly, brilliantly. When the jury came back at four, finding for the prosecution, Hayley didn’t feel her usual elation at beating Paul Covington. Now that was something to think about.
* * *
Paul didn’t want to let her go, plain and simple. He lingered inside the courtroom until it emptied. She approached him. “Feel bad you lost?”
“Not a bit. All I’m going to say is Jamie Callahan and his parents are something else.”
“Will they bad-mouth you?”
“To their friends. But I don’t want that kind of client again. I shouldn’t have taken it this time. Enough said.” He picked up his briefcase. “You happy about your win?”
“Not as much as usual.” She crinkled her nose. “It used to be fun to beat you.”
“Not now?”
“Nope.”
The admission only urged him on. “So, what’s next for you?” he asked.
“I’m done for the day. You?”
“I usually work until six. But on trial days, sometimes not.”
He stared at her. What the hell? He’d take a giant leap. “Hayley, I know this is highly inappropriate to ask, and don’t slap me for it, but would you spend the rest of the day with me?”
No slap came. “Do you really want to do that, Paul?”
“I’m afraid,” he said moving closer, “I do. I was just thinking how I didn’t want to let you go.”
Without saying more, she put down her purse and picked up her phone. “Maria Blackburn, please.”
She touched the speaker icon. “Hayley, did you win?”
“I did.” She winked at Paul. “I beat the pants off of Covington in our very last encounter.”
He rolled his eyes.
“Good for you.”
“If you don’t need me for anything, I’m not planning to come back to the office. I know it’s only three, but I have something else I want to do.”
“Sure, you deserve some time to yourself. You worked hard on this case. Have a good night.”
“Thanks.”
“And congratulations, Hayley.” Maria clicked off.
She smiled up at Paul. “So, counselor, what are we going to do?”
“Do you like boats?”
“My brother Finn was a sailor from the time he was in junior high. We spent hours on the water.”
“My boat’s in the water in Brooklyn.” He told her the name of the marina. “I keep clothes on it. For me. And, um, some that might fit you.”
Her eyes held mirth. “Women’s clothes?”
“Not like you mean.”
“Then let’s go.”
Holy shit, he wanted to take her hand and lead her out of the courtroom. But he restrained himself, walking by her side as they left the building and hailed a cab. They both slid inside.
“Will people think it odd that we got in the same cab?”
“Let them.” He sighed. “What about what we’re doing? Is this a good idea