“Apparently you don’t need to. Your friend can just read my thoughts.” At River’s expression, Marina waved. “Okay. Go ahead.”
“You’re Latina, right? But you’re a total non-believer? Was there no religion in your house?”
“Now who sounds judgy?” Marina wished she’d told River no personal questions were allowed, ever. “And there are atheist Latin families, you know.”
River held up her hands. “Absolutely. I didn’t mean to push a button, sorry. It’s just that people who come from any kind of religious background are usually at least a little open to the possibility of something extra-sensory. I was genuinely just curious about your use of the word normal.”
Marina thought about that. “I stand by my statement.”
River laughed. “Okay then. Yeah, I guess we’re both normal in that sense. We’re not putting on a show, and we have no need to define ourselves by a stereotype. We are businesswomen. So some of your statement is factually correct.” She winked at Marina before going to pick up her food.
They walked back down a different row that would take a little longer. A small food truck caught Marina’s eye. It sold “Soul Smoothies” meant to give your spirit the boost it needed. She thought of tonight’s meeting and laughed at herself. Anything to get a good result. “Hold on.” She stopped and read the menu. “I’ll have a Chakra Cleanse, please. Let’s get rid of the gunk in my chakras. Don’t need that hanging around.”
“Um, Marina,” River said, looking critically at the menu. “You might want to rethink that?—”
“What? You think my chakras are clean already?” She laughed and proceeded with the order.
“No, it’s just?—”
“River, I can handle ordering my own drinks, thank you.” Marina detested little more than being told what to do. She’d meant this to be a fun, silly thing to connect them.
River held up her hand. “Understood.”
They stood in silence until Marina got her drink. It was actually pretty good, and the apple juice taste overrode whatever that slightly acidic taste beneath it was. “See?” she said, lifting it. “I like it. Like I said the other night, I have no problem in knowing what I want.”
River nodded slowly. “And you’ve never regretted a choice you’ve made or decided you didn’t want what you got after all? That seems illogical. Humans always have regrets.”
Talking to River seemed to require wading into deep waters. Marina had no intention of playing in them. “Has business been good today?”
River shrugged, clearly accepting the change in subject. “It has, but that’s no surprise. We always do pretty well at these things. I like them. I talk to a ton of people and learn all kinds of interesting things.”
“Like?” Marina couldn’t imagine wanting to talk to strangers all day about mundane subjects.
“Like that girl I was talking to when you walked up. She was really close to her grandmother, who flew planes in World War Two. The granddaughter is in training to become a pilot, to follow in her footsteps. Isn’t that great?”
It was nice, in a regular folks kind of way, and Marina smiled. “It is.”
They got back to the tent, and River handed the bag of food over to Audrey. “Guess I better get back to work.” She eyed the smoothie Marina brought to her lips but didn’t say anything. “Thanks for stopping by today. It was nice to see you.”
Marina bit her lip. Ask River out again, knowing how different they were? Or accept a strange acquaintanceship? “Likewise.” She tipped her drink at Audrey, who was busy eating a taco like she’d been starved for the last decade. Audrey gave a quick nod and took an even bigger bite, never breaking eye contact. “See you around.”
River nodded, her hands stuffed in her pockets, as Marina walked away. When she glanced over her shoulder, River had moved back behind the tables and was eating as well. Okay, she’d been hoping that River would still be watching her walk away, like she had the other night. That was stupid, especially since she wasn’t interested in having to keep talking about metaphysical things she found childish at best and maliciously taking advantage of needy people at worst.
She crossed the street and headed back to work. Time to get her head in the game. She had a promotion to earn.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” Marina said, holding out her hand and receiving the barest touch of Sheila Black’s hand in return. “I’m a huge fan of all you’ve accomplished.”
“I don’t need a fan. I need an attorney to help me build my empire.” Sheila’s razor sharp smile had likely been honed on the bones of her defeated enemies.
Marina followed Sheila and Montgomery to a table and gathered her thoughts. Her stomach gurgled, and she could only hope the noise of the restaurant hid it.
“Marina is our best. Her last case was practically unwinnable, but she pulled it out of the bag. Her win rate overall speaks for itself,” Montgomery said as he read the wine list. “I wouldn’t have put you in just anyone’s hands, Sheila.”
Marina nearly missed it, but there was no question Sheila gave her a quick once-over before returning to her menu.Interesting. Lesbian? Or does she just like my suit?There’d been nothing at all in her research that mentioned a partner of any kind. All knowledge could give you an edge you could use later.
“I’m going to cut to the chase, Marina.” Sheila set her menu down and looked intently across the table. “I’m going to be making purchases in the areas surrounding the Loop. I’m expecting pushback, but as you know from your research, I’m not one to back down.”
Marina nodded. “I’m aware. Your gentrification projects along the East Coast have caused plenty of sensation, but at a market value of thirty-seven billion, Black Pinnacle has the resources to make sure nothing gets in your way.”
