ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟝𝟝 #2
I tilted my head, taking the chair. "Did you not see the news? My name has been everywhere for the last few days."
"I've noticed."
"And I emailed you, but you never responded."
"What can I say? I'm a busy man." Ted glanced at his computer.
I stared at him. Apparently answering an email was an activity that required you to skydive now.
"I helped overturn Justin Deyes' conviction."
Ted nodded slowly.
"I heard."
"Wait- actually, I didn't just help. Judge Johnson and I presented the evidence, and the court ultimately found that Justin Deyes wasn't guilty."
Ted folded his hands. "Congratulations."
The word sounded almost obligatory. I tried not to let it bother me.
"I thought you might want to hear it from me."
"I saw the footage. News coverage made you very convincing." He gave a small shrug.
I wasn't sure if that was a compliment. "Err..thank you."
"I've got a meeting after this, Dixie, so make this quick." Ted glanced toward the clock.
My excitement dimmed slightly.
"Right," I took a breath. "I want my position back."
"I understand that things changed while I was gone. I understand Georgia has been handling some of the new cases."
"All of them." He said.
I frowned. "Okay. Most of them."
Ted leaned back. "She's been doing well."
"Has she?" I almost laughed.
Ted gave me a look. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, nothing!" I crossed my arms. "I just think it's interesting that suddenly she's handling everything."
"Dixie."
"Come on, Ted. I've spent years working here, and I know for a factI've won more cases than she has."
Ted's expression tightened. "That's not the point."
"So what is the point?"
He sighed. "Georgia has been...available."
"So have I."
"Not recently."
"Correct, because you practically forced me away from my job and everything." I stared at him.
"And you did. To my surprise, you became rather obsessed with this case."
I felt my jaw clench. "Well, do you remember when you thought I couldn't do it?"
"I never said that."
"You practically did."
"Dixie, you were putting an extraordinary amount of time into one case." Ted sighed.
"And it worked!" I smiled. "It worked, Ted."
He looked at me for a moment. "I understand."
"If you had trusted me enough to let me finish what I started, you would've seen that."
"Don't get too cocky, Dixie West." Ted's expression changed slightly.
"What? I'm not being cocky."
"You're sounding like it, so quit it."
I rolled my eyes. "Whatever."
"You've always been ambitious." Ted smiled faintly.
"That's usually considered a good thing in my book." I sigh.
"It is." He stood from behind his desk, and I watched him walk around it. "Especially in this business."
He stopped beside me. I expected him to say something about the case, but instead, his hand settled lightly against my shoulder.
He gave my shoulder a slow, caressing, stroke. It felt uncomfortable, but in that moment I froze.
"You know," he said quietly, "people who really want something sometimes have to show how badly they want it."
I looked at him. "I've already shown you."
"Well, Dixie, I think there's always more than one way to prove yourself." His hand remained on my shoulder.
I frowned. I looked at him confused for a moment.
"What does that mean?"
Ted sighed. For a moment, he looked almost frustrated and annoyed. "Never mind."
I blinked. "Wait, I don't understand.."
He removed his hand. "We can discuss your position later this week."
I nodded slowly. "Okay."
"I need to look at everything first. Your performance. The current caseload. Staffing."
"Fine." I exhaled.
Ted walked back toward his desk. "I'll email you."
"You promise?"
He smiled. "Yes."
"Okay." I relaxed slightly.
He picked up another file. "Dixie, come see me sometime this week. Congratulations again."
"Thank you." I turned toward the door.
It wasn't exactly the answer I wanted, but it wasn't a no.
And right now, I'd take that. I'd take anything, actually. I just needed something in my life to feel stable. I stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind me.
I didn't notice the way Ted watched me leave. I was too busy thinking about my career.
~
If I didn't feel so good inside, I made sure I looked my best on the outside.
The dinner Cameron had booked us was expensive and formal, so I wore a simple long black dress with a slit right at my knees. I wore simple gold heels to match, with my hair in an updo.
I looked good, I think.
That was something.
I grabbed my purse and headed downstairs. Cameron was already waiting by the front door. He turned when he heard my heels.
His eyes traveled over me before returning to my face. "You look beautiful."
I smiled faintly.
"Thank you."
He looked quite good too.
He wore a perfectly and pressed fitted black suit with a white shirt underneath, the top button undone instead of a tie.
His blonde hair was neatly styled with gel brushed back.
He looked like the Cameron I remembered. The Cameron I had met all those years ago at the business party his parents hosted.
My stomach still fluttered when I looked at him. I guess my feelings hadn't received the memo about our separation.
He opened the door for me. "After you."
~
The restaurant was beautiful. Cameron had chosen somewhere I'd probably never have thought to book myself.
"Mr. and Mrs. West?" The hostess smiled at us.
I glanced at Cameron.
"Yes," he answered.
She smiled. "Hi guys. Your table is ready."
We followed her through the restaurant. Except she didn't take us toward the main dining room. She opened a set of glass doors at the back.
I stopped.
Outside was a private courtyard.
There were only a handful of tables, all spaced far apart from one another. Small lights hung above us, glowing softly against the dark sky.
Our table was tucked into the far corner. Two chairs with candles, and flowers.
I looked at Cameron. "You booked this for us?"
"Unless there's another Mr. and Mrs. West hiding somewhere."
"It's cute. You didn't have to do all this." I smiled despite myself.
Cameron smiled at me.
We sat down and the hostess handed us our menus before leaving.
For the first few seconds, neither of us spoke.
I looked at the menu. Anything was better than staring at Cameron. Unfortunately, I could still feel his eyes across from me.
He cleared his throat. "So..."
"So." I looked up finally.
His mouth twitched."Great conversation, so far."
I gave him a look and he smiled innocently.
Cameron pointed toward my menu. "What are you getting?"
"I don't know."
"Here, I'll help you out." He leaned forward slightly. "You're acting like you're about to take an exam."
"The pressure feels the same." I laughed quietly.
He glanced at his own menu. "You'd probably like the salmon."