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“I need a big boat. One to go to the Southern Ocean.”
His brows shot up. “That’s a long way. I’ll have to see what I can come up with.”
“I might get arrested.”
“As long as you’re not hurt, there are worse things that could happen.”
“Don’t encourage her, Lewis. She needs to give up this hippie business and take her proper place.” Her mother spoke sharply as she glared at her daughter with disgust.
“Good thing I’m the best lawyer.” Talk about a glacial stare. Alma’s mom did not appreciate that little morsel of facetiousness.
“I wouldn’t use you if you were theonlylawyer,” she hissed under her breath.
“Don’t be so hasty, Barn. Never know when you might need me.”
“You defend criminals. Heinous ones like mafia bosses.”
I was used to those slings and arrows. I didn’t make it my business to know if my clients were guilty. Only to prove they were innocent.
Somehow her barb stuck somewhere in my chest.
I shrugged off the uncomfortable feeling. “And they pay me lots to get them off.”
“I hope all that money keeps you warm at night.”
All eyes were on us. I didn’t need a confrontation with Alma’s sister, especially in front of her family. I’d prefer to stay in their good graces. And Alma didn’t take well to attention being off her.
“I think we’d all agree money does lots to keep us warm.” I grinned.
Her grandfather and father laughed. Her grandmother looked like she could see right through me. Her mother took another swig of what I was pretty sure was straight-up gin. And Alma peppered me with kisses.
If I didn’t have that money, I wouldn’t be in the Hamptons on Labor Day weekend with a beautiful woman who couldn’t keep her hands off me.
I flicked my gaze to JoJo.Ignore her.
Alma thought the world of her, but I didn’t need her approval or favor to sleep at night. Her opinion wouldn’t ever affect my success. She was nothing to me, and after this weekend, I doubted I’d see her again.
“Anyone up for a swim?” I stood and offered my hand to Alma.
She took it and bounced out of her seat.
Apparently, I felt dirty enough I needed the Atlantic Ocean to cleanse me.
CHAPTERFOUR
JOJO
“You know,being normal wouldn’t kill you.”
Mother flipped through her magazine without looking up.
We’d been sitting under the umbrella together for two hours and these were the first words she’d spoken.
“I’m helping change the world.”
She’d never understood why I didn’t like the same clothes as she and my sister did. Why I preferred handmade jewelry to pearls and diamonds. Why I chose to float from place to place instead of having an apartment in the city.
She snorted. “Keep telling yourself that.”
