Her eyebrows raise a bit and her lips pucker together.“It wasn’t a request.I don’t want to be the one to deny his demand.It’s about the case you refused to take.”
“What did he say?”
“I don’t want to repeat what he so eloquently said.He’s not happy.”
“Tell him I’ll be there in a minute.”
“I’ll tell him.”She closes the door behind her.
“Why don’t you want to take the case?”I put my hands on his desk and pull up to his desk.
“The both of you are making me rethink the choices I make professionally.This falls into the category of can I sleep at night knowing I helped this person who I wouldn’t leave you alone with for a second?”
“Ah, I see.It’s good to know we are having such a positive effect on you.I’m sure your father won’t think so.”
“Don’t worry about my father.”He gets off the desk.“I’ll be back.”
“Take your time, I’ll go talk to Karen or look around.”
“Stay in here.I don’t want you wondering around by yourself.”
I jokingly say, “Is a crazed well-dressed lawyer in a thousand-dollar suit going to jump out at me?It’s that dangerous I need an escort, ah?”
He looks at me with all seriousness before he opens the door.“You have no idea.I mean it, stay in this room.If you need something, pick up the phone and Karen will get it for you.You know the bathroom is in this room.Don’t leave.”
I smile to myself when he closes the door.So overprotective, borderline controlling.What can happen to me in a building full of lawyers?
Thirty minutes later I’m still sitting behind his desk, waiting.His father is not going to like me if he keeps refusing cases.The door opens and I look up with a smile, thinking it’s Nick.Imagine my surprise when I see the bombshell that can only be describe as a cross between Marilyn Monroe and Scarlet Johansen standing in the doorway, Karen frowning behind her.Then I’m shocked back into reality when recognition hits me.This is the woman in the picture.Paige.What is she doing here?She looks at me and turns back around, whispering to Karen.I see Karen make a face that says she doesn’t like her.She looks at me over Paige’s shoulder and mouthssorrythen she picks up the phone to make a call.
Paige turns back to me with a brilliant smile.I’m not into women, but I would switch over for her, that’s how gorgeous she is.She stands in front of the desk I’m sitting behind and holds out her hand to me.
“Hello, I’m Paige Sinclair.An associate here at Alexander and Alexander.And you are?”Associate?She works here with Nick?He didn’t tell me that.I realize I’m being rude and take her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you.I’m Catherine, Catherine Reed.”I see her smile fall but put back on her face faster than I can get up from my chair.It momentarily slips again when I stand and she sees my stomach, pulling her hand from me like I slapped it away.She must know who I am.I don’t think she’s thrilled to meet me.
“You are huge.”
Really?I don’t like her.
“Who are you to Nick if you don’t mind me asking?And how far along are you?”
“Seven months.I’m his girlfriend.”
“Nick didn’t tell me you were pregnant.Is it his?”
What the hell?Taken aback, I say, “Yes, it’s his baby.”You bitch.
“He mentioned he was dating a girl named Catherine, but he didn’t tell me you were pregnant.It was almost two months ago, though, and we were working hard together.You don’t know how much I appreciated him letting me share his hotel room with him in L.A.”
“You must be mistaken.Nick was by himself.”
“No, you’re mistaken.I was there with him.He didn’t tell you?Then again, why would he?Don’t feel bad.We have history, we may drift apart for a while but when we get together we pick up right where we left off.”
“You’re lying.”
“Why would I lie?”
“Because you’re jealous, and you’re still hung up on him.”
