“I guess I need to shake off seeing Cara with Duke. It’s just been too… I don’t know. I saw how he treated Savannah and how she changed because of him.”
I hooked my arm in hers. “She won’t. Cara’s in college. She’s not the rebellious type like Savannah. More importantly, Cara isn’t going to rob a store or do drugs or any of the other wild and crazy things Savannah did. She’s hurt, Mal. She’ll be okay.”As long as Duke doesn’t take her back.
“Says the girl who still has a thing for the guy who broke her heart years ago.” Mallory’s tone was light, but doubt hung in her words.
I was ready to tell her I was over Denim when the elevator doors whooshed open. It was as if they were signaling me to keep my mouth shut.You will only stick your foot in your mouth. You and Denim are not over.
Mallory’s heels clicked as she left the elevator. “Jade.”
“I’m coming.” I followed her onto our floor.
Dina lifted her head. “Mallory, your boss is looking for you. He sounds like he’s in a bad mood too.”
“Oh crap. I thought he was in court all day.” Mallory took off like the Flash.
I pressed my hands on the edge of the glass top of Dina’s desk. “Is Kelton in yet?”
Her brown eyes lit up. “He is, and he’s with some hot new client.”
“Please tell me he has brown hair and not blond.” I held my breath. The last person I wanted to see was Denim. Maybe I needed to rethink my strategy or employment.
Dina let out a dreamy sigh. “Blond hair down to here.” She touched her neck between her collarbone and her ear. “Blue eyes the color of his name, Denim. What a cool name, huh?”
I’d always thought the same thing. According to Denim, his parents had been ready to name him Richard until he came out of the womb with eyes the color of faded blue jeans. His mom was spot-on too.
Dina snapped her fingers. “Jade, are you in there?”
I blinked. “Sorry. I need to get to my desk.” Or maybe I could make up some excuse to leave until Denim was gone.
You can’t. Be strong, professional, and cordial. Show him you’re not interested in him anymore.The latter wasn’t true. But a relationship with Denim would only end in heartbreak and a river of tears.
Kelton’s door was ajar as I set my purse on my chair and blew out a breath.
I can do this.
Thetap, tap, tapof legal assistants banging on their keyboards kept time with my pulse.
Mallory’s voice trickled out of the office next to Kelton’s. “I can do that. Sir, do you mind if I leave at the normal time today?”
I was intent on hearing her boss’s answer until Denim’s husky laugh filtered out of Kelton’s office. Tingles broke out on my skin, and I was officially, utterly, and royally screwed.
“Seriously, Denim.” Kelton was all business. “The Feds have no cause to send you back to prison if you don’t cooperate. They may have sped up the parole board’s decision, but your prison record is clean for the early release program.”
“Dude, the government can do anything. If they can make a murder charge go away, then they can fabricate shit to put my ass back in jail.”
Kelton sighed as though he were one second away from shouting at Denim. “I thought you wanted to clear your name.”
“Do you know who killed Alvarez?” Anger simmered in Denim’s tone. “Even if we did find the neighbor or the person who actually shot Hector, would they willingly speak up or confess?”
“I’ll take a look at the offer, but that’s as far as it will go. You don’t need to sign anything. I’ll talk to the Feds as well. Now tell me how things went with Duke.”
After walking into Duke’s apartment the night before, I could guess that Denim and Duke’s reunion hadn’t gone well. Or maybe Denim had been dismayed to see me at Duke’s or horrified to know that Savannah had died. In a way, I was glad Denim hadn’t waited for me at the hospital. He probably would’ve convinced me not to go to Duke’s, and I had no doubt I would’ve given in. Well, maybe not. I had been beyond angry when I’d left Savannah’s room.
I was intent on eavesdropping, but Dina’s voice interrupted my trip down memory lane. “These came for you.”
I jumped a mile, holding back a squeal. The last thing I wanted was for Kelton to find out I was a nosy nellie. Inhaling, I turned to face Dina.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” She set a vase of orchids on my desk. “Someone loves you.”
