Chapter Four
Evangeline
“Angie?” I hear Kamii yell from her office.
I was just about to pack up my things for the night, but instead, I click off my screen and walk toward her office.
Standing in her doorway, I watch as she attempts to pick something up. Finally giving up, she asks, “Can you please pick up the pen I dropped over here?”
The laugh I’m trying to hide sneaks through as I walk up to her, grab the pen, and put it on her desk. “Was that all you needed?”
She shoots me a glare, clearly stating not to mock her. Yet, we both fall into a fit of giggles in a matter of seconds. “I’m such a mess. When will this baby just come out already? Sheneedsto come out.”
I offer her a reassuring smile. “Just a little while longer. She’s not done cooking, yet.”
“I’m so over this, but here, sit. I wanted to see if you have plans tonight.”
“Not really. What are we working on?”
She takes a deep breath, pulling her fingers up to her lip where she starts to lightly tug. I’ve been working with her for years, and this is her tell-tale sign; something’s wrong.
“What’s going on here? What’s up with the lip thing?” I ask.
Her fingers drop instantly. “What? Nothing?”
“Kamii, you only tug on your lip when it’s something serious. What’s wrong?”
“Ugh! Preston says the same thing. Am I that obvious? I’m an attorney. I run courtrooms, yet with my personal life, it seems people can read me like a book.”
I grin because what she’s saying is so true, but that’s beside the fact. “So really, what’s up?”
“Preston and I need your help, and we were hoping you could have drinks with us tonight?”
“Sure, whatever you guys need. Where should I meet you?”
“Here, help me up and let’s walk to Rickhouse. Lord knows I need to walk as much as I can.”
When we arrive, Preston is already seated in a booth in the back, and we head toward his table. I love the way his face brightens when he sees us walking up.
The love they share is evident more and more every time I see them. I know there’s more to their story than what Kamii’s told me, but I’ve tried not to pry too much.
After he says hello to his wife and leans down to talk to his unborn daughter, he turns to me. “What can I get you to drink, Angie?”
“I’ll take a Dirty Shirley, please,” I respond as I slide into the booth, and Preston walks to the bar.
“Shut up. You’re kidding me, right?” Kamii almost yells in disbelief.
I point my finger, daring her to challenge me. “What’s wrong with that? Don’t make fun like I haven’t grown up because I still like my kiddie drink.” It wouldn’t be the first time someone made fun of my drink of choice, but I don’t care. I loved Shirley Temples as a child, and now, I love them with vodka.
“No, it has nothing to do with that. It’s just—” She takes a deep breath. “I knew you were perfect for what I’m about to ask you, and you just proved it right there.”
“With my drink order?”
“Yes, with a simple drink order.” She lets out a laugh as she wipes a small tear that slipped out of her right eye. “My close friend, Becca, used to order Dirty Chai at Starbucks, and I’ve always said you reminded me of her. Did I ever tell you exactly how Preston and I met?”
“No, actually, I’ve never heard. I assumed you knew him before the murder case last year, but I never wanted to get into your personal life too much.”
She laughs almost nervously. “Yeah, it might shock you a bit, but that’s why I want to talk to you.”
