Gareth slowly unbuckled his seatbelt. “Why are you defending your mother’s house, Hazel?”
She blinked, avoiding his gaze. “Because I could have bought her something bigger. I know she’s content and happy with this house, and that’s ultimately what matters and what I worked so hard for, but I still would have liked to repay her for all the years she gave up a life for me with a gigantic estate, diamonds, andjewels. You’re not the only one who makes the big bucks, you know?”
“Oh, yes. I know how much your commission costs your clients — and therefore us.”
She snorted. “I was merely stating that I would have bought her something bigger if she’d let me.”
“Don’t you women always say size doesn’t matter?” Gareth asked innocently, opening the car door.
Hazel rolled her eyes and followed. “Shut up. And be polite to my mother.”
“I’m contractually obligated to be polite,” he informed her. “For goodness’ sake, Hazel, relax. I’m here because I owe you a favor, not to embarrass you or judge the size of this house.”
She pressed her lips together and glanced uneasily over her shoulder at him as she hurried up the cobbled path to the front door, as if she didn’t know whether to believe him.
What the fuck?
Gareth walked faster, reaching her before she could ring the bell. “Hazel,” he whispered urgently, leaning over her shoulder, “have I ever judged you in my life, except for the gummy-bear clauses?”
“I don’t know,” she whispered, taking a barely perceptible step to the side, as if he was too close. But Gareth hardly registered it, as he was too busy staring at her in genuine shock. He’d known they had a difficult relationship, but of all people, Hazel was the one most likely to know that he…that he…
“You don’t know,” he repeated hollowly, unable to stop himself from staring at her. “How could you not know?”
“Gareth.” She turned her head and pressed the doorbell. “I thought highly of you — only to find out over the past few years that I was wrong,” she replied calmly. “So, I’m sorry if, for the sake of my sanity, I assume I have no idea who you are.”
He opened his mouth, his diaphragm knotting up. But before he could say anything, the door opened.
He recognized Hazel’s mother from photos. She was a small, plump woman with a short black hair, warm eyes, and an even warmer smile. “That was quick,” she said, surprised. “You really didn’t have to rush over. The lawsuit isn’t going anywhere.”
Hazel sighed heavily, but let herself be pulled into a hug. “Oh, I had time, it’s no problem,” she murmured, before casting an uneasy glance in his direction and saying, “Mom, this is Gareth Clark. He’s the lawyer friend I told you about. He’s going to help you completely free of charge.”
Hazel’s mother beamed. “That’s incredibly kind of you, Gareth. It’s okay if I call you Gareth, isn’t it? Friends of Hazel are friends of mine.”
Did the same apply to enemies? Because he was obviously more of an enemy.
So, I’m sorry if, for the sake of my sanity, I assume I have no idea who you are.
He wanted to clench his hands into fists, but stopped himself. Hazel may have earned a bachelor’s degree in the subject ofEnraging Gareth, but he had a damn master’s degree inControl. “Of course. Call me whatever you like,” he said, smiling. Mrs. Barrow couldn’t help it if her daughter was getting on his nerves. “I’m happy to help. From what I've heard already, the accusation against you is ridiculous.”
Her shoulders sagged with relief. “I thought so too, but the lawyer sounded so serious…”
“Don’t worry about Kosianos. I know him. He likes to bark, but I’ve always stopped him from biting.”
Mrs. Barrow placed a hand on her chest. “I think…I needed to hear that. This whole lawsuit thing has made me a little more uneasy than I let on.”
“That’s what those lawyers’ letters are designed to do,” he said gently. He had worked as a lawyer for a long time before joining the Hawks full-time; he was well aware that the first step was always to reassure his clients. “Legalese is designed to make you so nervous that you might just up and pay the exorbitant sum they’re demanding, Mrs. Barrow. Should I take off my shoes? Your floor looks so clean.” He nodded toward the tiles that led from the hallway into a living room furnished with comfortable, yellow-upholstered furniture.
“I’d appreciate it. And please, call me Thea! Oh, such a polite man.” She looked past him to Hazel. “Where did you pick him up?”
“Harvard,” Hazel murmured, and when Gareth turned to her, he noticed her displeased expression.
What had he done wrong now?
“Ah, you went to school with him?” Thea looked at him thoughtfully. “You know, I thought you looked familiar. I’ve seen your face somewhere.”
He doubted it.
“Aren’t you…”
