Loyal Lawyer - Jeannine Colette Page 0,24
off for her apartment while I head back to my place. The gym is bustling today, but I sneak into my secret door without a strange look, making sure to lock it behind me since Shawn isn’t coming in.
I put on some music and tie my apron on, getting to work on making extra-dark truffles. I grab a cutting board, metal bowl, and Santoku knife. The chocolate bars are in a box on the counter, so I unload the bricks of semisweet chocolate and start chopping it up. The trick to successful truffles is to get the chocolate into very small pieces. The finer the chocolate chunks, the quicker they are to melt.
I’m getting things ready while singing along to the music when there’s a ring at the back door. I look at my phone to see a man on my Ring app, holding a bouquet of flowers toward the camera. After I wipe my hands on the side of my apron, I head toward the door to see who it is.
“Delivery for Amy Morgana.” He hands a large vase to me with an impressive assortment of sunflowers, and I falter a little, not prepared for how heavy it is.
“Wait one second,” I command. I put the vase down on a table and then rush over to my purse to grab money for a tip. I hand it over, and then I close the door behind me and look at the arrangement.
It’s covered in cellophane and tissue paper, so I peel away the decoration and remove the card that’s stapled onto it.
A little something to brighten your day.
—Sebastian
A giggle escapes my lips. It’s so ridiculous since I’m alone, but this guy has totally gotten under my skin in the best way. I place the flowers closer to the window and throw out the excess paper. Then, I snap a picture to send to him.
A beautiful display of flowers just arrived.
Looks like you have an admirer.
Shame for him because I met this very handsome,
very loyal lawyer who has whisked me off my feet.
Sounds like a catch.
If not a little cocky. ;-)
I’ve heard cocky can be very good …
My teeth are gripping my lower lip as I let out a frustrated growl. Sebastian put the brakes on us fooling around, and it’s all I can think about. I’m usually not the one who is desperate to jump into bed with a man, but this wild and crazy energy has taken over me lately, and I’m dying to move things to the next level with him.
I’d love to see you tonight.
I’m making truffles … are you interested in trying them?
Death by chocolate and a beautiful woman.
How can I say no?
You can’t.
I’ll even whip you up my famous lobster bisque.
I’ll bring wine.
Make it a champagne blanc.
And I’ll come to you. My place isn’t the best for company.
Lucky for you, my place is.
See you at eight.
There’s a knock at the back door as I slide my phone into my back pocket. I lean over and open it, only to try to close it immediately when I see Hardin on the other side.
“What the hell, Amy?!” Hardin pushes his palm against the door, halting me from closing it fully. “Are you trying to take my hand off?”
I let out a deep, exasperated breath and reluctantly open it up. “You’re lucky I haven’t tried to cut something else off. What do you want?”
He’s standing in the alley, looking devilishly rugged, wearing a black leather jacket over a blue T-shirt, and his dark hair is styled back, which is kinda cute.
“I’m here because Gerry won’t return the security deposit.”
I balk at the audacity of him coming here with this gripe. He’s flustered, too, like he can’t imagine why the landlord would hold on to our funds.
“You skipped out on two months’ rent.”
“So?”
“And you trashed the place!”
“It wasn’t trashed. That sink was old as fuck. I called him and told him it fell off the wall. He’s the landlord. He should deal with it.”
I place a hand on my hip while the other runs up and down my face, flabbergasted by his reaction. I try to hold back, but I can’t.
“You rat bastard!” I’ve been dying to yell at him. I suppose now is as good a time as any. “Get it through your thick skull that you can’t bail out on rent, especially when the lease is in my name. You haven’t a clue what I’ve been through to save my credit from getting destroyed because of your