Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Mara
“This is the saddest excuse for a lunch I’ve ever seen,” Jayden mutters to me.
We’re standing in the staff lounge for our office, and if I wasn’t so hungry, the scene before me would be funny. For the holiday potluck, one person brought in a pan of cheesy potatoes, which are gone. Everyone else picked up trays of cookies from the store.
I pick up a hard chocolate chip cookie and take a small bite. “Well, we brought in cookies, so I guess we can’t complain.”
“I’m still complaining. After the morning I had, I think I’m entitled.”
He did have a shitty morning. Someone bumped into him in the elevator and spilled coffee all over his dress shirt, and he didn’t have an extra in his office, so he had to go to court in the wet one.
The judge dressed him down for showing up looking like that, and then another judge dismissed the charges in a DUI case because the defendant’s blood sample was mishandled.
It was a criminal case, so another attorney from our office was handling it, but we did some of the legwork on it. The defendant has served jail time for DUIs in the past, so it’s likely he’ll be out reoffending soon.
Bruce walks into the lounge and surveys the spread, shaking his head. “This is why we need a sign-up sheet.”
“What did you bring?” I ask him.
He looks at me, his nostrils flaring. “Are you ready for our meeting?”
I nod, fighting my urge to smile. I work through lunch often, but the men in the office turn into hangry beasts when they don’t get lunch.
Once we’re in his office, Bruce opens a desk drawer and pulls out a bag of pretzels, then sits down in his squeaky chair. “Okay, did you review those cases?”
I sit down in a chair across from his desk. “Yes.”
“What are your thoughts on the one that went down at Home Depot?”
“No deal. Plenty of witnesses and a victim willing to testify.”
He nods. “What about People v. McCoy ?”
“Is that the one where they both got arrested?”
“Yep.”
“Plead it. He’s remorseful and willing to go to rehab.”
“Do you want to sit in on my meeting with his counsel?”
I stand up and walk to the corner of the room, ditching the rest of my cookie. “Yes. Just check my schedule and add it as long as I’m not in court.”
“Will do. And People v. Hadsell is a bust because the victim won’t testify.”
“What?” I pull my brows together, my heart kicking up speed. “But he beat her unconscious.”
Bruce shrugs. “I can’t get a conviction without her testimony.”
I close my eyes, the photos of the woman’s injuries the police took at the hospital still fresh in my mind. Statistically, her abuser will keep hurting her, and it could be even worse next time.
“This is part of the job, Torres,” Bruce says. “You can’t win ’em all.”
“Can I talk to her?”
I can tell he’s about to say no, so I cut him off. “I’ll be gentle, I promise. I’ll mostly listen and if she’s a hard no, I’ll respect it. I just want a chance.”
“She said no. That’s it.”
“But she could change her mind. She’s pregnant, Bruce. Just one conversation, that’s all I’m asking for. If nothing else, let me have one last conversation with her to let her know about the help that’s available.”
He chews a pretzel, considering. “One conversation. Don’t make me regret it.”
“You won’t. Thank you.”
He scowls at the bag of pretzels and rolls the top down, putting the bag back in his drawer. “I’m going to get lunch, you want to join me?”
“I have to pass, but thanks. I’ve got a thing tonight, so I need to get out of here a few minutes early.”
He nods and stands up. “You know the drill. She comes here; you don’t go to her home.”
“Got it.”
“I look forward to being bested by an attorney who wasn’t even alive when I started practicing,” he says wryly.
I panic for a second, but recover quickly. “It’s not a contest. I just thought maybe having a woman closer to her age might help.”
His lips curve up in a smile. “I’m messing with you, Torres. In this division, we take all the help we can get.”
“I hope you’re proud of yourself. My arms hurt.”
Leo scowls at me that evening, his arms out at his sides like the kid in a snowsuit in A Christmas Story.
I really didn’t intend to make him uncomfortable. When I bought the men’s size small sweater-vest with one button and covered it with Christmas tree balls, I wanted him to look and feel ridiculous.
Instead, his very defined abs are on full display since the bottom of the vest is gaping open and he can’t put his giant, muscular arms at his sides without breaking the balls. His tipsy teammates are still calling him “ballbuster” from the last time it happened a few minutes ago.
“Do you want me to take off some of them so you can put your arms down?” I ask.
“Some of what?”
I give him an isn’t it obvious look. “The balls.”
He arches his brows and grins. “You want to touch my balls? We haven’t even been at this party an hour. Someone’s frisky this evening.”
“Offer rescinded.” I take a sip of my wine, scanning the room for Suki.
When I find Suki, I see that she and Carter are talking to Anson and Lucien, and Anson is staring at me.
“Time for some insincere affection,” I murmur, moving closer to Leo and looking up at him. “What would I be saying to you right now if we were together?”
His eyes are greener than any Christmas tree, something I don’t recognize swirling in them.
“No one’s ever fucked me the way you do, Leo,” he says, his voice deeper and gruffer than usual. “I never should have doubted you. Can I practice my blow-job technique on you again tonight?”
I don’t know if it’s his words or the wine, but I laugh. His eyes shine with amusement and he says, “What? You don’t think so? What would I be saying to you if we were together?”
I consider for a second. “Probably something like, Mara, you’re the smartest woman I’ve ever known. What charities do you support that I can write big checks to so I can, in some small way, make up for walking in on you in the bathroom?”
He holds my gaze, still smiling. “Like a desperate pervert.”
It’s what I called him in the heat of the moment that day, when I was panicking about him seeing me naked. But something about the way he just said the words is making my heart feel fluttery.
“The most desperate pervert I’ve ever known.”
It’s all I can do to get the words out, because Leo’s giving me the I’m about to kiss you look. And for some reason I can’t explain, I want him to. Is it my long-term lack of physical affection? The spirit of the holiday season? Whatever it is, I’m not a fan.
I clear my throat, ending the moment. “I need to go talk to Suki.” I pass him my wineglass. “Would you mind getting me a refill?”
He takes the glass. “You want anything to eat?”
“Mm, I’m good for now. I like to get my buzz on and then eat.”
“As you wish.”
I watch him go as he walks over to the bar, admiring his “pro dumper.” He’s built for long nights of endless positions in bed.
But just because he has a body that makes me salivate, that doesn’t mean he knows how to use it.
He could be one of those guys who jackhammer women into oblivion and rubs their clits like he’s trying to remove a carpet stain.
That has to be Leo. Suki has told me he’s what they call a grinder in hockey, because he gives a hundred and ten percent all day, every day.
He doesn’t score a lot, but he does whatever it takes to create opportunities for his teammates to.
I’m sure he’s the same in the bedroom, grinding his partners into the mattress.
“Need this?”
I turn to find Suki standing next to me, holding out a napkin.
“No, why?” I say, confused.
“I thought you might want to wipe away your drool.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh, please. I can admire the packaging without wanting to unwrap it.”
“Uh-huh. Either you two missed your calling as actors, or there’s something there. I saw the way you were looking at each other.”
“Pfft.” I take a sip of my wine. “Only because you know who was looking at us. We were talking about how much we hate each other.”
“Oh, I’m sure.”
I give her a sympathetic look. “I know you think you’ve got this all figured out and you’re mentally picking out your matron of honor dress already, but babe, Leo and I are like fetch. We’re never going to happen.”
“Because why would you want a guy who rescues freezing puppies? While also having those abs?” She sips her wine. “Where’s your glass, by the way?”
I don’t even realize I’m scanning the people in the room, looking for Leo, until my gaze lands on him.
There’s a woman talking to him in the drink line, and she’s laughing.
Though his washboard abs are out of view since his side is facing me, I can still appreciate the cut muscles in his thick upper arms.
“Leo’s getting me another one.”
Suki balks, throwing her head back slightly. “And he gets you drinks?”
I roll my eyes. “You know the situation. We’re playing at being a couple. He has to do things like that.”
“Does that mean you’ll be hanging onto his arm later and looking at him adoringly?” She smirks.
“Um, no. I’m here, and that’s me holding up my end of the bargain.”
“It is really nice of you to do this for him. It reminds me of me and Carter.” She furrows her brow, speaking in a low tone. “I can’t believe Leo wore that when he’s supposed to be happily dating someone. He looks like he’s on the prowl with his muscles on display like that.”
“I picked it out,” I admit.
Her eyes bulge and she laughs lightly. “I see. Just know that as your best friend, I’m entitled to at least a text within twenty-four hours of you clawing up his back for the first time.”
“Fetch, remember?”
Leo is talking to a man I don’t know now, and his back is facing me.
The small sweater-vest is stretched across his broad back, light hitting some of the shining ball ornaments.
I mentally file away a quip about him having a lot of balls for once, knowing I’ll find a time to use it at some point tonight.
I still can’t believe I told him about my dad.
Nothing and no one means more to me than my parents, and I safeguard their vulnerability with my whole being.
Probably because it’s also my own vulnerability.
They live in Indianapolis, where my mom’s sister also lives.
Aunt Rhonda is a big source of emotional support to my mom, and she helps with my dad’s care.
On our weekly FaceTime calls, my parents’ faces glow as I tell them about my work.
Even though I just handle speeding tickets and other mundane cases, they think I’m a rock star prosecutor.
They’ve been adamant since I left for college that they want me to live my life.
They don’t want me to be a caregiver to my dad.
He told me during my senior year of high school that the greatest gift I could give him would be to truly leave home and chase my dreams.
I usually make it home every six to eight weeks for a quick visit, but I still feel guilty I’m not there more. I thought when I started law school that I’d at least have the money to change their lives, but then I had to work on a case at my first law firm that went against everything I believe in.
And still, they’re proud of me. I’m an only child, and I don’t know if I’ll ever give them grandchildren. They’ve told me to do what makes me happy.
Being able to send them two hundred and fifty thousand dollars is going to make me ridiculously happy.
They might even be able to afford to move into a home that’s fully accessible for my dad.
They had to make the living room of their small two-story home into a bedroom after the accident because my dad couldn’t get upstairs.
“Mara?”
I snap out of my daze, looking at Suki. “Sorry, what?”
She shakes her head, a smile tugging on her lips. “You were off in your own world, staring at the guy you can’t stand.”
I wave a hand, dismissing her. “I wasn’t even thinking about him.”
“Right.”
I can tell she doesn’t believe me, but I drop it. Leo is walking back toward us now, a woman he passes gaping at his sweater-vest. But really, she’s gaping at his body.
And how can she not? That single button is fighting for its life, looking like it could fly off at any moment. I should have gotten him a frumpy turtleneck sweater.
Live and learn, I guess. I’ll be spending this entire evening with Leo and his abs, so my second glass of wine will be my last.
It’s not just his body, but those mossy-green eyes and his playful smirk, that could make me forget reason and ask him to come home with me.
God, would that be fun. I lick my lips just thinking about it.
It’s a terrible idea, though. The worst. I’m not here to see Leo in a different light and change my mind about him. I’m here for the money my parents are going to get.
Even though there’s good wine and I’m feeling more than a little bit merry, this is just a transaction.