“You could, if you were doing as well as me.” Cassie’s conceited tone turned Maverick’s stomach. “Which is why I’m here. I’m the new tenant. Cassandra Stone, Family Law. Sounds great, right?”
What the fucking fuck?
Carly’s eyes grew cold. “I see.” She eyed the man cowering behind Cassie.
“This is my architect. I’m redesigning.” Her upper lip curled as she eyed the space. “There’s no way I can work in this shithole. It’s bad for my aura.” She batted her lashes at Maverick. “Mine is bright yellow. Sunshine yellow, to be exact, and I’ve got to do everything possible to ensure it stays dazzling bright.”
This chick is loco.
Still, no response from Carly.
“I know Mom gave you until the end of next week, but could you be out by Friday?” Cassie continued. “Two days is plenty. I mean, according to Mom, you’re not busy, plus, she said something about you meeting clients in the park.” She snickered. “What a joke.”
“Cassie, I—” She cleared her throat. “Consider it done.”
What a sweetheart. Her family doesn’t deserve her.
Her sister stomped the floor. “Stop calling me Cassie! I’m not a child. My name is Cassandra.” Her phone buzzed and she yanked it from her gigantic handbag. “Hello. Let me call you right back.” She hung up. “I’m a busy, busy gal. Clients galore. Gotta run.”
Cassie sashayed up to Maverick. “My number is on my website. Cassandra Stone, Family Law. We should hook up sometime.” She flounced out, her architect scurrying behind her.
When the door banged shut, Maverick fully expected Carly to blow. He would have if one of his siblings had pulled that crap on him.
Instead, Carly smiled at Desiree. “Any calls?”
A total pro.
“Are you okay?” Desiree asked.
Carly shouldered her handbag. “It is what it is, right?”
“Your messages are on your desk.”
“Thanks.” She slid her gaze to Maverick. “I’ll leave you two to catch up.”
“I came here to talk to you.”
As she headed toward her office, she waved him over. “Come on back.” They entered her small office and she closed her door. “This eviction has hijacked my world.” She eased down onto the rickety wooden desk chair. “How are you doing?”
He took a seat in one of the guest chairs across from her. “I wish you’d said something to me.”
“Ash, I told you plenty. Plus, you’ve got your own stuff going on.”
“Have you found anything?”
“Nothing I can afford. I’m going to work from home and meet clients at a shared office space in Arlington.”
“I’m sorry your mom is kicking you out. I know this place is special to you.”
“I was worried about Desiree, but Hudson jumped at her offer.”
“My sister’s pretty resourceful.”
“I was told I had until the end of the month, but, you heard the latest. It’s probably better anyway. The less I see of my family, the happier I am.”
Even as a kid, Maverick had never liked Carly’s family. “I know that, babe. What can I do to help?”
“Thanks for offering. I’m okay.”
