Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 66323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“And didn’t end up doing the nasty?”
I laugh and shake my head at him. “Nope. No sex. I’m pretty sure I’d sleep with him on the second date, though.”
“I hope so. I want to hear all the delicious details.” Danny checks his watch. “Before I skip out of here, how’s the big job going?”
“The one with Florence Paddington?” I ask as I log into my laptop. Danny nods. “I don’t actually speak with Florence much. I speak with her assistant. But the renovations are almost done, and I think it’s beautiful.”
“Well, everyone was clamoring for that job, and I’m still jealous that you got it. Oops, I have a client in five. See you later, beautiful.”
“Have a good day.”
Before I can open my email, there’s a knock on my door, and I look up to find a huge bouquet filling the doorway.
“Uh, hello?”
My assistant, Liz, pokes her head around the blooms and grins. “Delivery.”
“It isn’t even nine in the morning.”
“Someone’s on their toes,” she says as she sets the vase on the corner of my desk. Her pretty brown eyes are full of curiosity. “Read the card.”
“I will, after you leave.”
Her expression falls, and she sticks out her lower lip. “Killjoy.”
When Liz closes my door once more, I pull the card from its holder and sigh.
Best pizza I’ve ever had. XO
Holy shit, I’m a goner if this is the norm when it comes to Gray Sterling.
Chapter 4
Gray
“You’ll pay the fine to the clerk on your way out of here,” the judge instructs my client, looking over the frame of her glasses to stare him down. “And I don’t want to see you back in my courtroom. Understood?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” Pete says with a nod. “Thank you.”
“Court adjourned,” she says, hits the gavel on the desk, and then exits the courtroom.
“Thank you,” Pete says to me, shaking my hand. “I didn’t want to go back to jail, man.”
“Then clean your shit up and stop getting into trouble,” I suggest. “For real this time.”
“That’s the plan,” he replies and leaves as I gather my papers and put them into my briefcase before walking to the courtroom door. I don’t usually handle matters like these, but it was a favor for a friend.
“Mr. Sterling?” A young woman approaches me with a big smile. “I have a delivery for you.”
She passes me a white to-go cup of coffee.
“I didn’t order this.”
“No, sir. It’s from Stella McKenna. The note is on the side of the cup. Have a good day.”
She rushes off, and I hold the cup up to read it.
Are you still awake?
With a laugh, I walk to the wall of windows that look out across the city, set the briefcase on the floor next to me, and pull out my phone.
She may be in meetings, so I shoot her a text rather than call her.
Me: Thanks for the shot of caffeine. Still awake over here. You?
I take a sip of the drink and scowl down at it. Jesus, it’s so sweet it’ll put me into sugar shock. But the gesture was sweet, as well, so I just shrug and chance the coma as I take another sip.
I have another case in thirty minutes, so I check my email and drink the coffee. A few moments later, I get a reply from Stella.
Stella: No one could sleep with these gorgeous flowers on their desk. They’re too pretty. Thank you.
The florist worked fast. Excellent.
Me: You’re welcome. Have a good day.
I sip the sugary coffee as the three dots bounce on my screen.
Stella: You too! Talk to you later.
“Why are you all smiles?” Brandon asks as he joins me. “You never smile.”
I drop my phone into my pocket and eye the other man over my cup as I take a sip.
“I smile.”
“Rarely,” he amends. “What’s up?”
“I saw Stella last night.”
“Jesus, you really are moving fast.”
“I like her.”
“Are you taking her to the thing tomorrow night?”
I frown over at him. “What thing?”
Brandon rolls his eyes. “The thing. The celebration party McMasters is throwing.”
“Ah, that thing,” I reply and rub my hand over the back of my neck. “Is that tomorrow?”
“Yep. Bring her. I’ll have Danny with me, and she’ll have fun.”
“Are you insinuating that she wouldn’t have fun if she only knew me?”
“Okay, she’ll have more fun. And so will Danny. He comes with me because I want him to, but he’s usually bored stiff. Can’t really blame him.”
“Actually, it’s not a bad idea. I have to go, but I want to spend time with Stella, so it’ll work.”
“Excellent,” Brandon says and pats my shoulder. “I’m due in court. See you later.”
“Good luck,” I reply with a nod.
Am I ready to introduce Stella to everyone I work with? It seems fast, given that I’ve been on exactly one date with her.
“Fuck it,” I mutter quietly and grab my case, headed for the next courtroom. “I’m not going to overthink it.”