Loyal Lawyer - Jeannine Colette Page 0,9

listened, his smile …

“What are you thinking about? You have this dreamy-schoolgirl stare,” Charity observes.

I clear my throat and grab a pen. “I was just thinking about a new recipe I want to try, using unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder and espresso beans,” I say nonchalantly as I scroll down the printout of today’s web orders.

When I glance up at her from the paper, she’s eyeing me to see if I’m telling the truth. Thankfully, she knows new recipes to me are like sexy men to her, so I know I’ll get away with this one.

Yes, most would jump all over the chance to tell their best friend that the attorney who is assisting them is quite handsome, but I have to be careful with Charity. She’s a true romantic, always looking for the one, and any mention of meeting someone new instantly turns into a million questions, like: Is he single? Does he have children? Where does he live?

Questions I have zero answers for since he’s a stranger I met in the most peculiar way. Most importantly, he’s my lawyer. I shouldn’t be thinking of him and smiling like a goof. It’s unprofessional. Unethical.

I set my cup and my phone on the counter and grab an apron. The three of us chat about our weekend plans. Shawn cracks the funniest jokes, and Charity tells the best stories. I hum along as I listen to my friends.

I’m lifting a pot to heat heavy cream when my cell phone ringer goes off.

Charity picks it up, looking at the screen, and hands it to me as she questions, “Who’s Sebastian Blake?”

“My lawyer.” I feel my face flush as she pulls the phone back into her, keeping it from me.

“You’re blushing.”

“I’m not blushing.”

She holds my phone up and away. “You totally are. Did you see that, Shawn?”

My employee does nothing to help me dodge Charity’s inquisition.

I lean forward and grab it from her hand rather viciously. “He’s the attorney I told you about. The man who’s going to get my stuff back from Hardin.” My voice is a little bit of a huff when I swipe the call to answer. “Hello? This is Amy.”

“This is Amy,” they both singsong my words back, taunting me.

I hold my hand up to the mouthpiece to block them out as I jolt away from the counter, getting away from the two of them.

“Miss Morgana, it’s Sebastian. I hope this isn’t a bad time.”

Charity rushes over to my side. “Is he cute?” she whispers rather loudly.

I shush her away and scurry toward my office, closing my office door in her face and resting my back against it. “Yeah. Now’s great. What’s up?”

“I’m looking over the file you gave me, and I’m going to do some digging. I have a cancellation tomorrow and want to set up a meeting with you before I book it up with something else.”

“You want to meet in person again?” I raise my hand to my heart and wonder why the heck it’s beating so fast. It must be his voice. It’s warm and inviting, spoken from his chest.

“We could do it over the phone if you can’t—”

“No. In person is fine. What time?”

“Well, I have to do all of my pro bono stuff after work hours. But we can still meet at my office.” He’s quick to say, which makes me smile. “Can you meet me at six? Here, at my office? I can text you the address.”

“Tomorrow at six is perfect. Thank you.”

“No problem. See you then.”

He hangs up, and I let out a huge puff. When I open the door, Shawn and Charity are as close to the threshold as possible, obviously eavesdropping, and they stare at me with smirks on their faces.

“What?” I ask.

“Oh, nothing. You don’t have to say anything. Your complexion says it all.” Charity points at my face, circling her finger as if it proves her point. “You said a lawyer was helping you. You didn’t say you had the hots for him.”

“I don’t!” I declare. “I just want to come off as professional as possible, and having my friends ask if he’s cute is not putting my best foot forward. Now, can we get back to work?” I point at Shawn with a stern expression.

He grins as he walks back to the workstation.

“And don’t you have a shift that starts soon?” I ask Charity, moving my eyes to the clock and back to her.

“Is it that time already?” She pouts as she grabs her bag. “This isn’t