As I approach his desk, he’s gathering his paperwork to put into his backpack. He stops and turns to face me, leaning against the back of the desk and crossing his arms in front of his body. “So tell me, how did you guess my name?”
I tilt my head to the side, showing him the slightest grin. “Well, that’s my little secret. Just like you said, though, you can learn a lot about a person if you pay close enough attention.”
“I’m impressed. Still can’t believe I got your name wrong. First time that little game didn’t work out for me fully. Please tell me Angie isn’t your real name. Give me some kind of hope.”
I close my eyes, smiling but nodding my head slightly. “Okay, I’ll give you that. Angie isn’t my birth name. I legally changed it years ago.” I can’t believe I just told him that. No one here in San Francisco, or hell, in California, knows that Angie isn’t my real name. For some reason, I felt comfortable enough in this moment to admit it.
“Okay, I feel a little bit better now, like I’m not a complete failure at my own game. But how did you know mine?”
“I was already trying to guess what it was before you even spoke. I guess I like to play little games, too.”
He laughs. “That doesn’t answer my question, though.”
“I looked at what you were wearing, how you walked, your body type, the fact that you carry a Vans backpack instead of a briefcase.” I pick up his backpack to prove my point. “Then, just like you, I paid attention and took a gamble. I guess you can say I’m good at reading facial expressions. You gave it away when your eye twitched slightly after I said Cole.”
“Nicely done. You just might be cut out for this lawyer thing after all. So do I get to know your real name?”
I shake my head. “Nope, sorry. To you and everyone else, I’m Angie.” I start to walk away but look over my shoulder. “No offense, though.”
I hear him chuckle as he says, “None taken. See you Wednesday, Mrs. Smith.”
I turn back again, giving him a quick smile before saying, “It’s miss.”
