Loyal Lawyer - Jeannine Colette Page 0,11

emblazoned on the wall. All of the awards the firm has won line the back wall like they’re gold albums sitting in a record label’s office.

“Give me a second. I’ll let him know you’re here.” Miles picks up a phone at the front desk while I take the opportunity to look at the photos on an adjacent wall.

Sebastian is in many of them, all with various charities around the city. Each photo is labeled with the organization’s name and the amount the firm has donated to them.

Miles hangs up the phone and comes around the desk. “He said I can bring you back.”

I follow him down a long walkway that overlooks the main lobby of the building. It’s funny how it feels so different from this angle. Downstairs, this space felt out of reach, like only the elite belonged up here. And now that I’m here, it still feels as elegant and opulent, but I don’t feel like such an outsider.

“He’s meeting you in conference room number two.” Miles points to a set of double doors and then opens them to escort me inside.

“Thank you,” I say, and he nods with a smile before walking away.

I enter the room and see Sebastian standing by the long mahogany conference table. He’s in suit pants and a button-down that’s rolled up to his elbows.

His face ignites in a huge grin as he splays his hands out to his sides. “You’re going to love me,” he says.

I stop in my tracks, his enthusiasm catching me off guard, as is the way his impressive physique is on display under the thin white shirt. Sinewy muscle makes him look larger than his over six-foot frame.

“I do.” I pause and then correct myself. “I will.” I try not to smack myself in my head for sounding so dumb. “I mean, I am?”

“Yes. Here, come in.” He motions for me to join him where he has a few different papers laid out on the table.

I place my bags on the table, dying to know why I’m going to love him.

“Do I smell Chinese?” he asks, pointing to the takeout bag.

“Oh. I thought you’d be hungry since it is practically dinnertime. I wanted to thank you for helping me with dinner. I figured you can’t go wrong with General Tso’s chicken, lemon chicken, and chow mein. I hope that’s okay.”

His face morphs from confusion to surprise to wonderment. “Wow, yes. What a great offering. Thank you.”

I open the bag and empty the contents, including paper plates and chopsticks.

“Do you want me to get you real plates, Mr. Blake?” Miles asks from the doorway.

I look up at Sebastian. “These plates are just fine for me unless you want something nicer. Don’t go all formal on my account.”

Sebastian grins. “This is just fine.” He looks up to his assistant. “Miles, I’m all set for tonight. Once Amy and I are finished, I’ll be heading off. You can go home early tonight.”

“Are you sure?” Miles asks.

Sebastian nods. “Take the time now. We have a few long days ahead of us next week. Call your girlfriend and take her out to dinner at Buddakan. Use the company account.”

“Thank you. That’s our favorite restaurant.” His face grows with excitement.

“I know.” He tosses Miles his cell phone. “Place that on my desk, please. I don’t want to be disrupted for the next hour.”

“Will do, sir. Good night. And pleasure meeting you, Amy.”

I smile at Miles. “Likewise.”

Miles walks out and closes the doors behind him. It’s now just Sebastian and me in the room. The outside windows show a night sky, as the sun has now set fully. Out the window is a view of the Ben Franklin Bridge and the lights of Philly.

I grab the plates and hand him one as we both take our seats.

“So, why exactly am I going to love you?” I ask as I pick up my chopsticks.

I offer him either the chopsticks or a fork. He grabs the chopsticks. Good choice.

“My investigator went to your apartment today to see about the damage.” He scoops rice onto his plate.

I hand him one container as I dish from the other. Then, I put chow mein on my plate. “Please tell me it’s not really trashed and this was all just a scam,” I say, ever so hopeful.

He makes himself a plate of lemon chicken and chow mein. “No, it’s certainly damaged. When I first looked up your address online, I saw it was in a multifamily house and not a building,