“We heard back from Marjorie. She wants to move forward with the case.”
I pointed at Hallease as I walked closer to her desk. “Just like I told you she would. Good thing we’ve already begun the preliminary work for that case.”
Hallease quirked her lips, and I inhaled, bracing myself for whatever she was about to say.
“Tell me.”
She held out her hands. “I think you might be seeing this all wrong.”
I set the box of pastries on top of her desk and folded my arms over my chest. I remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
“Okay, I’ve been gathering intel through Kelvin’s social media accounts like you requested, right?”
I nodded.
“And I haven’t seen any hint of impropriety.”
I laughed. “Is that right?”
“Yes.” She stood and rounded her desk, bringing her tablet with her. “Look.” She pulled up Kelvin’s Instagram account. “Not a hint of another woman.”
I peered at her with a raised brow. “Because he would put his cheating on full display on his Instagram feed?”
“Okay, so no, he wouldn’t do that, but I’ve searched for who he follows. Not one of those fake model types in the bunch. He hasn’t commented on any naughty pics in months.”
I chuckled at her use of the word naughty.
“All the recent articles I’ve found about him only talk about football and the charity work he does. Oh, and he’s donated a sizeable amount of money to the injured firefighter’s organization.”
I let that sink in. The Injured Firefighters of America was an organization doing great work around the country. They’d reached out to my family when Corey got hurt. Hearing he donated to the cause might’ve endeared me a little to him, but it didn’t mean he wasn’t a cheater.
I shrugged, arms still folded, and turned to Hallease. “He donated some money. Lots of athletes and people with means donate to charity. It’s a tax write-off.”
“But I don’t think it’s only that.”
I let my shoulders sag. “Hun, I know you want to see the good in people. So do I, but experience has taught me differently. Some of the men who appear to be the most loving and attentive have the most skeletons in their closet.”
I paused as an image of my father came to mind. For years, I believed he and my mother had the perfect marriage. Then the truth came crashing down around me, and I began to realize that even men who you thought would never betray your trust could and would.
“Let it go,” I insisted when Hallease tried to continue making her argument.
“Fine.” She frowned and moved behind her desk. Soon, she furrowed her brows and gestured to the box of baked items. “Are we expecting a new client?”
I opened the box and held it out for her. “No, I needed breakfast. I figured you did too, and—” I was interrupted by a knock on the door as it opened.
“Woah,” Hallease said as Don entered.
His presence sucked up all the air in the room. My throat went instantly dry when he pierced me with those damn eyes of his.
“Good morning to you too,” he greeted, smirking.
His mischievous smile widened as he pivoted toward Hallease.
I shuddered but quickly shook it off and cleared my throat. “Don, you remember, Hallease,” I introduced, although I probably hadn’t needed to. “Hallease, Don.”
“I remember,” Don said, stepping closer and holding out a hand for Hallease to take. “How could I forget such a beautiful face?”
It was lame, but Hallease ate it up, giggling as Don pressed a kiss to the back of her palm. I spotted a large manila folder in his free hand.
