As for his case with Hamilin & Casey, it ended in Des's favor before it got too far. They settled by giving Des two million dollars and apologizing for their former employees' actions. Des couldn't say he wasn't happy that everything ended so quietly because he didn't want his life to be plastered on the front page of the news or some headline on the internet. Even with his father running for senate, he had been able to stay completely out of the spotlight.
Des wanted to give Erin the credit for the law firm's quick folding, but he knew it had something to do with his parents. They were trying to cover their asses to make sure the pressdidn't get a whiff of what happened. Des was sure this was another play on his parents' part, and they were getting ready to ask him for something and use giving him his inheritance as leverage. But Des had learned how to play the game just like them and had one more trick up his sleeve. Until then, he was going to live his life.
“I know,” Des said. “But isn’t it great? I haven’t been here in a while. I used to sneak out sometimes without my parents knowing, and mostly, I would people-watch, wondering who was on a date or just out to have fun.”
“I wouldn’t say an amusement park is a good place for a date,” Moor complained.
“You don’t think so?” he mused.
“Look at my face and ask me that again.”
Des looked at Moor and noticed he was far from happy. “Fine, if you don’t want to do this, we’ll leave. I’ve just been having a few good days and thought this would be good for us to hang out and have fun.”
“Do I look like I’m dressed for fun?” he asked, moving his hand up and down his body.
Des’s eyes roved over the taller man, in an expensive navy blue suit, a black shirt, no tie, and a pocket square. Des, on the other hand, had gone a bit more casual with a white V-neck sweater and dark blue jeans. Sighing, Des had known this was going to be a mistake, but he had listened to Bianca, who'd encouraged him to text Moor. Gray, on the other hand, was completely against it but wouldn't give a reason why. It was during one of their painting sessions when the conversation came up.
"So now that you're able to live the life you want, when are you going to start dating?" Bianca asked.
"For fuck’s sake, Bianca, let the man breathe," Gray said, putting the paintbrush down.
"Stop being a hater, Gray. Just because he has time to get down and dirty with someone, and you don't."
"Who says I don't?" Gray asked.
"All you do is work," Bianca added.
"And all you do is party. When in the hell are you going to grow up?" Gray growled, glaring at her.
"Alright, alright," Des butted in. "That's enough. You two were talking about me, remember?"
Back in college, Gray and Bianca had dated briefly, but they broke up, and neither would tell the reason. Des had the strange feeling that it wasn't Gray's idea and that his best friend still had feelings for Bianca. He grew increasingly jealous each time Bianca met a new guy, and it didn't help that Bianca was getting serious about her current boyfriend. Des wished Gray would find someone to love because Bianca only saw Gray as a good friend.
"You're right, Desi," Bianca said. "Sorry, he just makes me angry sometimes. Anyway, let's not get into all of that. How about I set you up with someone."
"No thanks, but I kind of like someone," he told her. "He's an old patient of mine and helped me out the night I got into the fight with that guy. His name is Othello."
"Oh my gods, you don't mean Othello Moor?" Bianca asked.
"Yeah, you know him?" Des asked.
"I don't know him, but I know of him. He's hot, right?" She smiled. "Tall, dark, and so fucking handsome and rich as hell "
"Don't you ever fucking quit?" Gray snapped at her and then looked at Des. "Don't get involved with Othello Moor."
"What? Why?" Des questioned.
"Yeah, why?" Bianca interjected.
"I don't have to give you a reason why. Just do as I say."
"You're not his father, and he didn't ask you to be," Bianca argued on his behalf, rolling her eyes. "Des, if you like Othello, call him and go on at least one date, see where it goes before you close the door on something that could be worth it. Don't listen to that idiot." She smiled. "I could get his number if you want. I’ve got connections. It might not be his personal number, though I hear he's pretty private."
"Nah, it's all good. I have his number already."
"What?" Bianca said just as Gray spoke.
"How did you get it?"
