Chapter One
Rory
Today was the day I finally asked Marshall Wilson out. I’d worn my favorite jellyfish Hawaiian shirt to work with the pants my sister swore were super flattering. My short, curly red hair had at least somewhat cooperated that morning and wasn’t its usual halo of frizz.
I’d only been planning to ask Marshall out for the last six months or more, since he’d joined our Mount Hope CASA office as the newest attorney. No biggie. But today was the day.
First, though, I had to wait for him to return from a court date while doing my usual job of juggling incoming phone calls, in-office appointments, and other front-office tasks. As I finished a phone call finalizing arrangements for an upcoming meeting, our boss, Jillian, strode over to my desk in our small reception area, curly reddish-brown hair flowing over the shoulders of her purple pantsuit.
“I have no idea how you make your job look so easy.” Jillian nodded approvingly as I ended the call. “You manage to make coordinating five different calendars sound fun.”
“It helps that I love my work.” I grinned up at her. “And I’ve got a great boss.”
“We do indeed have an awesome boss.” Tennessee, another of our attorneys and a friend, joined Jillian in front of my L-shaped desk. Like the rest of us, Tennessee loved Jillian’s commitment to our mission of advocating for children in the legal system and her easygoing demeanor. She was a pretty awesome director to work for. Unexpectedly, though, Tennessee also turned the praise on me. “And a great receptionist. You keep us running smoothly.”
“Wow, tag-teaming the compliments.” Narrowing my gaze, I glanced between them. “What did I do?”
“You were gone last week.” Tennessee had his long hair pulled into a ponytail. It bobbed with each of his earnest nods. “We missed you.”
“It was a good—or rather,bad—glimpse of what it will be like after you graduate.” Jillian shook her head mournfully.
“Aww. I feel the love.” I put a hand over my heart. I was enrolled in a low-residency master of social work program, and I’d spent the previous week on campus in Portland, doing a series of presentations and attending seminars. “And yes, graduation is getting closer. But I haven’t even started my job hunt yet.”
“Don’t tempt Jillian into creating a new position for you.” Tennessee laughed, but Jillian’s wizardry at winning grants was legendary.
“Funding remains elusive.” Jillian held up her index finger. “But trust me, I’m trying. You’re the best receptionist and administrative assistant we’ve had in a long time.”
“Thank you. How was the Howard court date?” I asked. Jillian being back in the office likely meant Marshall was as well. He was new enough that Jillian or Tennessee often accompaniedhim to court or other major events. They must have returned via the back stairs rather than the elevator.
“About as well as we could have hoped for.” Jillian smiled widely, magenta lips curving. “Marshall did an excellent job in his report and on the stand.”
Tennessee’s grin was much more mischievous. “Which, hopefully, means he’s in a good mood for you to?—”
“Congratulate.” I cut him off. Loudly. Tennessee was a friend and not usually much of a gossip, but perhaps he was tired of hearing about my crush and my failure to do anything about it. Also, his extroverted fiancé was wearing off on him, making the reserved Tennessee more outgoing these days. “As a friend and coworker.”
“Who are we congratulating?” Marshall himself emerged from the rear of our offices. We occupied part of the fourth floor of an older building located near the county courthouse that had last seen remodeling at least four decades prior. But as a nonprofit, location and price were the selling point, not the maze of rooms or the ancient amenities.
“You.” Tennessee beamed. “Jillian was just bragging about how well you did.”
“I wouldn’t say the job is getting easier, but I am getting more competent, one would hope.” Marshall was nothing if not serious. Some might call him uptight or grumpy, but I was drawn to how much effort he put into his work and words. He wasn’t exactly chatty, but when he did speak, it carried weight. More so today because he wore an elegant navy suit with a light-blue dress shirt and a blue-and-silver tie. He looked ready to give a keynote speech at a thousand-dollar-a-plate luncheon, but I’d rather dine onhim. He nodded in Tennessee’s direction. “And Tennessee gets credit for helping me prep all yesterday.”
“You are way more than competent and far too humble.” Jillian clapped him on the back. His back, like the rest of him,was lean and long. Marshall was well over six feet tall with closely cropped dark hair and a tan complexion slightly darker than Jillian’s coppery notes. “You did wonderful advocacy. The family is lucky to have you.”
“Thank you.” He dodged another pat from Jillian. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to hunt down some lunch.”
“Of course.” Jillian waved him on.
“And that’s why I’m here as well.” Tennessee pointed at my chair. Before Tennessee arrived two years prior, I usually lunched at my desk, but Tennessee volunteered to watch the front at least a few times a week so I could have an actual break. “Go to lunch, Rory. Hurry.”
“Thanks.” I grabbed my messenger bag from under my desk and scurried after Marshall.
I caught up to him at the elevator at the end of the hall.
“Hold the elevator!” I said cheerfully. “I’m going down too.”
My cheeks heated as soon as I said the words. I had no idea why everything I said felt like an innuendo around Marshall, only that he could make me blush like no other.
“You’re heading to lunch as well?” he asked.
