Page 29 of Be My Valentine

Of course, she was horrified by the subway!

Thoughts raced to Mark and an alarm rang in her head: she longed to see him. She feared his manner and temper, but she wasn’t so foolish as to have thought something had changed. She had been openly defended, perhaps there was a chance for a truce, both with her colleagues and with him.

She waved to Emma below the office and went upstairs, punctual as a Swiss watch. She had been adamant that she didn’t want to have privileges because she worked for the foundation. In fact, she had been picked on precisely because she had been hired through a family friend and then lawyer Arrow had taken her under his wing. She could only hope that it would bring her more benefits than burdens, and unfortunately, she wasn’t exactly optimistic. But there was no turning back. She would do her job, as always, head down, get on with it.

She set to work, waving goodbye with a nod. Annie Carson glowered at her.

“If she, could she’d whip me right here in front of everyone.” She murmured to Meg.

Her friend laughed.

“Arrow’s gesture was appreciated.”

“Really?” She marvelled.

“Kate, we’re not all like her! There have been a few rumors going around.”

“What are they saying?” Kate braced herself for the mauling.

“Mrs. Carson told us what happened at the pub. Why was it only I knew you had that second job?” Meg asked her.

“I don’t like to tell everyone my business.” she crossed her arms over her chest “What do they know?”

“Carson’s version is that you charmed the big boss, and he defended your honor after you winked at the Philadelphia lawyers.”

“What a liar!” she hissed, “That’s not what happened!”

Meg lowered her head to be covered by the computer screen.

“In fact, no one believed it. Annie Carson has a bit of a fixation with Attorney Arrow, which by all accounts is unrequited. Seeing him defend you must have been a blow to her hopes.”

“Yeah, and having me removed from her clutches won’t help.”

“She’ll be stewing in jealousy; it serves her right. It’s not the first time she’s picked on newcomers, especially if they’re young and single.” Kate remembered those were the exact words Emma had spoken “Usually Lawyer Arrow waits for the anger to fade away on its own, but this time…”

“What are you implying?”

“Do you think he might be interested in you?”

Kate pondered for a long moment.

“I think he’s been acting like a total jerk and is realizing it. He’s just treating me like a human being. No, I don’t think he’s interested in me in that way.” And Kate believed what she was saying.

“But you went out to dinner together!” Rebutted her friend.

“It wasn’t a date, he really needed to talk to me. He has a problem with his sister.”

“Miss Donovan!” Came the shout from the office.

Kate looked at Meg.

“I’ll call you tonight and tell you all about it. As you can see, not much has changed.”

Mark Arrow raised his head as he heard her come in.

“I’m glad you survived my sister.”

“She’s not so terrible, not to me at least!”