As expected, the girl looked at me as if an alien had just walked into the coffee shop demanding everyone strip off their clothing. No one ordered black coffee as a choice.
“You should try being more adventurous with your life. Imagine how spicy your books could be.”
The sensual timbre of the voice behind me cut through the loud din of other customers. With a smile slowly crawling across my face, I turned toward the customer behind me. Alexia was grinning, her eyebrows arched and the look was more mischievous than two days before. She was dressed in another dark suit, and this time her long, curly hair was swept into a bun behind her head.
“Does that mean I should add in more creative romance scenes in my books?”
“I guess that depends on your audience. But let me suggest the Caramel Macchiato to spice up your world. I choose hot espresso with a double drizzle of caramel. Trust me.”
“Mmm… Often famous last words. Barista, I’ll have two, one for my friend.”
“You didn’t need to do that.”
“You can repay me if you’d like,” I told her as I pulled out my credit card.
Her eyes flashed. “What do you have in mind?”
“How about sitting with me while we drink our coffee?”
“I’d like that. I’m sorry I had to leave the other day. I had business to finish before I could head home. Duty calls.”
“Of course.” Nodding, I allowed myself a full gaze of her beauty, which of course she noticed. Yet there was no embarrassment on her face, just a sly smile.
“Here you go.” The barista slid the drinks in our direction and I grabbed both.
“Lead the way.”
Alexia found a spot in the back near the restrooms, passing three other empty tables. Why did I have a feeling she didn’t want to be seen? With me or in general?
As soon as we were settled in, she tipped her head toward the window overlooking the sidewalk.
“This is very good,” I admitted. “I’ll have to remember the order.”
“It’s my go-to drink when I’d had a tough day.”
“You have me curious. What do you do for work?”
She took another sip of her coffee before answering. “Alexia Martino, an attorney with Landers and Jacobson.”
“Oh, really?” The red flags had been raised for a reason. I’d heard of the firm she worked for. In a city of over sixteen thousand attorneys, Landers and Jacobson were considered a boutique firm, their lawyers representing victims of various crimes. A decent firm with little notoriety.
But said to be up and coming, so I heard. That was the extent of my knowledge and the information from years before.
“Yes, really.” I’d seen that look before. As if she’d encountered one too many people who’d questioned the possibility of her chosen profession.
“A couple of my best friends are attorneys. Since you know my background, you might be aware my longest lasting partner was a woman.”
“I’m aware.” Her eyes penetrated mine. Her appearance had little to do with the book I’d written. “Not a match made in heaven.”
“Why would you say that?”
She shook her head. “You don’t mince words in your books.”
“Remind me never to send her a copy.”
Alexia pursed her lips. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell a soul.”
Being around her was easy, maybe a little too much so. I was more relaxed than I’d been in a long time.
