Page 20 of The Scent of Happiness

“But yesterday, you said—”

“I know.” Theo looked past her and into the crowd, his eyes on Dixie. “Let’s just say I don’t like bullies.”

Emma returned with the coffee, and Brooke practically yanked the cup out of her hand. “Thank you,” she gushed. “You saved my life.”

“It’s pretty weak,” Emma said.

“Strong enough to get the job done.” Brooke inhaled the fragrant steam.

“Customer?” Emma murmured, tilting her head toward Theo.

“Nope,” Brooke said. “Emma, this is Theo Chambers. He thinks he’s going to be my lawyer.”

“Is he?” Emma asked.

“No,” Brooke said at the same time Theo said, “Yes.”

Emma looked back and forth between them with a raised eyebrow that spoke volumes.

“Emma, can you watch the table? Thanks.” Brooke gave her the Pumpkin Spice bar and pulled Theo into the back hallway where they could talk without being stared at by everyone in the room.

She held her coffee cup close to her face and considered Theo. Yesterday, he didn’t want to work with her. Today, he did. But had anything changed? “Let me ask you one question. Do you think I’m innocent?”

“We covered this.”

“Not to my satisfaction.”

Theo’s forehead wrinkled. “You’re very hung up on the spirit of the law. I’m more interested in the letter of it. This isn’t about who is right or wrong. It’s about what you can prove and who you can get to pay for it, especially in civil cases.”

“Still didn’t answer my question.”

Theo spread his hands. “Start over with another attorney if you want. Who also won’t care if you’re innocent, by the way.”

Brooke paced a few steps away from him and then back. “I hate this.”

“Huh,” he said. “I enjoy it.”

A half-laugh escaped Brooke’s mouth. Maybe that was the key. Not to find a lawyer that thought she was innocent, but a lawyer who loved the process enough to defend her either way. She and Theo seemed united in their hatred for Dixie, which counted for a lot.

“Fine,” she said. “Do we need a contract or something?”

“Of course we do. I’ll have one for you Monday. In the meantime, I can get started with research. I’m assuming the batch of soap you sold to Dixie is all gone.”

“Except for the bars I gave you.”

“I didn’t keep those.”

“Right,” Brooke snapped. “Because you thought they’d give you a rash.”

“No, they just weren’t my style. What’s wrong with the basic stuff from the store? It’s like a third of the price.”

“What brand do you use?” A picture of a lathered-up Theo flashed into her head.

“Whatever’s on sale, mostly,” Theo said. “Whole Foods had some unscented soap and shampoo, so I stocked up.”

“I suppose you wouldn’t want it to clash with your cologne.”

“What cologne?”