Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Eden
Frustration brought me to the offices of Kent & Colt.
The court clerk called me thirty minutes ago to tell me that the Alcester case was set back another ten days at the request of Judge Mycella.
I noticed the rapport between Dylan and the judge.
They referred to each other by their first names during our sidebar. It’s evident that they have a connection outside the courtroom.
This unexpected delay is his doing. It has to be.
He knows that my client wants this case wrapped up as soon as possible. Prolonging the proceedings is an amateur tactic that some lawyers resort to when they want the other side to settle.
It won’t work with me.
I spoke to Troy Alcester right before I left my office.
I assured him that I’d do everything in my power to get the divorce finalized as quickly as possible.
His concern isn’t for himself. Troy wants his two daughters to have balance again. They’ve been stuck in the push and pull between their parents for months.
I walk toward the reception desk in the lavish office that Dylan shares with his partner Griffin Kent.
I did my due diligence once I realized that Dylan was my opposing counsel.
He set up this practice right out of law school with Griffin.
The reception area is decorated beautifully. It’s an elegant space. Kurt’s offices aren’t as lavish, but he hasn’t updated the flooring or the paint on the walls in the last decade.
“Can I help you?” A blond haired man wearing a black suit pops up from around a corner.
I glance over at the empty reception desk. “I’m here to see Dylan Colt.”
The man rushes toward me, his gaze on the phone in his hand. “I’m Gunner. I’m Mr. Colt’s assistant. He doesn’t have a meeting scheduled for the next two hours.”
Of course, he doesn’t. It’s noon.
He must be off somewhere enjoying a long, leisurely lunch.
“I’ll set you up an appointment for next week. Or if you prefer I can tell him that you stopped by.” Gunner stands directly in front of me. “If you give me your name and number, one of us will be in touch.”
Dylan’s assistant runs interference like his life depends on it.
“My name is Eden Conrad.”
His gaze drops to my wrist and the watch I always wear. Something has shifted in his expression when he locks eyes with me again. “Come with me, Ms. Conrad.”
I don’t question where we’re going. I follow Gunner down a long corridor. A few people come in and out of offices as we pass. All of them smile at me and offer quiet, “hellos.”
Dylan’s staff are polite and well dressed.
I’m impressed by what he’s built here.
Gunner slows as we approach the closed door of an office at the end of the corridor.
He knocks softly before he swings the door open.
“Jesus Christ, Gunner,” Dylan’s voice booms through the corridor. “You’re supposed to wait for me to tell you to come in. Get lost.”
I can’t help but laugh.
“Hold on,” Dylan’s voice is louder. “I know that laugh.”
Gunner takes a step back as his boss appears in the doorway of his office dressed in a light gray suit and blue tie.
“Look at what we have here.” He rakes me over. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“You look beautiful today, Eden.” Dylan flashes me a grin as he takes a seat on a brown leather couch in his office.
He sent Gunner on his way before he closed and locked the door to his office.
I don’t know what he thinks will happen between the two of us, but it’s not going to involve me taking off my navy blue dress.
I came to talk business.
“Why aren’t we going back to court this week?” I stand in front of him, propping one hand on my hip.
He leans back on the couch, crossing his legs. “You got a call from Judge Mycella’s clerk.”
“Peggy’s clerk,” I say with a smirk. “I know you two are friends.”
He fights back a smile. “That’s not a crime.”
“I’m not falling for your tactics.” I punch my hip out even more. “Troy won’t settle, Dylan. Your client’s terms are completely unreasonable.”
“Your client fucked my client over.” He exhales in a rush. “As much as I’d like to take credit for the delay, I had nothing to do with it.”
Studying his face, I narrow my eyes. I can’t tell if he’s being serious or not. “Why the delay?”
“Did the clerk not explain that there was a scheduling conflict?”
My shoulders stiffen.
The clerk did explain that Judge Mycella had a conflict that required the rescheduling of a few upcoming cases on the docket. I thought that was a cover for Dylan manipulating things in his favor.
“I play by the rules.” Dylan pats the couch next to him. “Come sit down. Let’s talk about this.”
I shake my head. “You’ll try and kiss me.”
That perks both his dark brows. “You’ll let me kiss you.”
I take a step back. “It’s not a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“You know why.” I grab the strap of the purse slung over my shoulder. “A kiss will lead to more.”
“My face between your legs?” His gaze drops to the skirt of my dress.
A knock at the door draws him to his feet. “Give me a second. I need to fire my assistant.”
My hand jumps to my mouth to cover it as I let out a giggle. “You wouldn’t fire him for knocking.”
He shoots me a quick wink. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”
I turn to watch as he opens the door. Standing on the other side is a tall man with brown hair. He looks at Dylan before his gaze lands on my face.
“You’re Eden Conrad,” he says quietly.
Dylan blocks the doorframe with his body. “I’m busy, Griffin. “
“We have a situation.” His eyes scan Dylan’s face. “It involves one of your cases.”
“It can wait,” Dylan insists with a glance back over his shoulder at me.
“It can’t.” He pauses before he lowers his voice. “Trudy Alcester is here. She’s in my office. She’d like a word.”