Loyal Lawyer - Jeannine Colette Page 0,14

of dust anywhere. The plant in the corner doesn’t have one leaf that’s turning color, and the view out the window of the city is to die for.

While it’s impressive and regal, none of it compares to the personal touches that make the office warm and welcoming. His law degree from University of Pennsylvania that sits in the corner is framed, but an old hat with a P on the front of it hangs off the side.

A photo of who I assume are his parents sits in a frame next to it with him in the middle. His father, a man with tan skin and a wide smile, stands beside Sebastian, who has his arm around a woman with blonde hair and eyes the same as his. They’re clutching to him with pride as they pose on a dock overlooking the ocean.

I glance to the other side of the room and have to hold in my laughter at a photo of Sebastian with the Phillies mascot, Phillie Phanatic, on the wall.

“Baseball fan?” I ask.

“Absolutely. One of the charities I volunteer for got honored at a game last year, and they let us go on the field.” The way he says it with so much excitement makes me smile.

“Pretty fun day then, I guess.” I try to downplay.

“Just another day at the office.” He grins.

“I suppose you get a lot of perks, working as a high-profile attorney. Are you living out all of your twelve-year-old boy dreams?” I tease.

“Twelve-year-old, nineteen-year-old … hell, even thirty-year-old dreams.”

I laugh as he grabs his stuff, and we head out the door.

We walk down the hallway and make our way to the elevator. Inside the glass enclosure, I feel this searing energy in the air, a prickling that something amazing is about to happen.

It doesn’t though. Instead, the doors open rather quickly, and we are in the main lobby of the building. There’s someone different at the front desk and a security officer by the front doors. We walk toward them and onto the street.

“Well”—I pull my bag up high onto my shoulder—“thank you again for your help. I never would have even considered it not being a legal apartment.”

“I’m glad we could solve the problem easily.”

If I’m not mistaken, I see a hint of indecisiveness with his body language.

I pause, staring into his eyes, seeing if he’ll say anything else. When he doesn’t, I take a deep breath and turn to leave.

I walk away when I hear him say, “Amy?”

My feet spin around so fast that my hair whips in my face.

Sebastian takes a step forward. “Do you have any plans for tonight?” His voice is almost hesitant. “I was going to go out for a drink and would love if you could join me. Totally platonic, of course. I’m not your attorney anymore, but I don’t want you thinking I’m trying to take advantage of a job well done, like you owe me or something.”

I feel my heart instantly pound harder with both nerves and happy sensations flowing through me. “You’ve been nothing but chivalrous, Mr. Blake. And, well, I’d be more than pleased to have a drink with you.”

The cheesy smile that spreads over his face makes him cuter than ever. “Great. I think you’ll love this place.”

Chapter Five

It’s a brisk evening as we walk to the bar. With the beginning of spring, warm days are here, but the nights can still bear a winter chill. Like a true gentleman, Sebastian offers me his coat, and I accept with a shy smile, knowing he has his suit jacket underneath.

Though our conversation flows easily, I start to wonder where we’re going after about fifteen minutes of walking, and I’m surprised when we stop outside McGillin’s Olde Ale House. Beer has been pouring in this tavern since 1860, shortly after the Liberty Bell was cracked.

“I can’t tell if you’re impressed or disappointed,” Sebastian comments as he holds the door open for me to enter.

“Pleasantly surprised,” I chide as I walk by. “I love this place. It has so much charm.”

The brick walls are adorned with paraphernalia of the bar’s history from liquor licenses to old photographs and a sign from the old Wanamaker’s Department Store that used to be nearby.

The place is packed, so the waitress waves us through the crowd to a small table near the back. We order craft beers and settle in after Sebastian removes his suit coat. I stand to do the same when I realize I’m still wearing his jacket.

“Thank