AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He can’t see my cheesy grin over the phone, right?
Nino
And genuinely sweet.
Ash
You must not know me that well.
It’s NOT sweet. It’s VERY selfish. You are MY breather, Nino.
My jaw drops, and this time, I need to say my piece.
Nino
Oh really? If I didn’t know you better, I’d think you’re coming on to me ;)
Considering the fact that he just mentioned that I don’t know him that well, I’m hoping he’ll get the hint: I’m at a loss.
Ash
Don’t get your hopes up, sweetheart. I’m no Sleeping Beauty waiting for a handsome prince, although your lips on mine did the trick.
Seriously, though, you’re welcome to stay at my place. It’s the least I could do. Please.
My eyes narrow. My mouth goes dry. My fingers have a mind of their own.
Nino
Okay.
CHAPTER9
WE’RE GOING TO BE FRIENDS
Ash
“Ican’t believe you asked a stranger to crash at your place. A very tiny place at that.” With a frown indicating his disapproval, Michael hands me the fourth designer suit jacket he’s tried on this morning.
Only a busy criminal lawyer would require my assistance finding him the proper attire in the wee hours of the morning the day after Labor Day; in truth, not so early, but our VIP clients can request appointments outside of regular business hours. Needless to say, he didn’t ask about the outrageous cost that my upscale department store will add to his hefty bill to have his suit of choice tailored the same day. He won’t bat an eye at the surcharge for an expedited home delivery.
The good thing about the indecent hour is that I’m fully caffeinated, fully functional, and fully mindful of my surroundings. There’s nobody around to eavesdrop on my inappropriate conversation with a client about my burgeoning friendship with a French guy whose lips touched mine.
“Oh, come on, Michael, not everyone can afford a four-floor apartment in Greenwich Village!” I’ve been to his impressive place on several occasions; his living room is bigger than my entire apartment!
I put the expensive jacket back on its hanger while I draw the curtain in front of him to give him privacy to get changed. His hand appears on the side of the thick burgundy curtain. Lost in my head, I berate myself for not being able to pinpoint what he needs as I grab the pants from him.
What’s wrong with me today? My inability to anticipate his needs is wasting his time. Dammit!
A swishing noise startles me as he pulls the curtain open. Brows furrowed, my client—and unlikely friend—insists, “You know I didn’t mean it like that!”
I gawk when I’m faced with a good-looking Michael wearing only a heavy white cotton undershirt, black boxer briefs, and white socks. There’s strongRisky Businessvibes despite the fact that he’s not donning tighty whities—which I despise—or Ray-Ban Wayfarers.
In silence, I admire his powerful thighs and take in the barely visible scars on his right leg. Over the two years we’ve known each other, the only information he’s shared about his accident was that it happened before he was ten and marked a negative turning point between him and his father, who’s also a lawyer.
“It’s so fun to tease you. You’re such an easy target.” I’m proud to call him a friend. I started working with him shortly after I met Alex on Tinder. We quickly bonded, seeing each other at regular intervals, although not as much as we’d like due to his fancy trips for work and pleasure.
Sharing personal tidbits with clients isn’t common, but Michael and I are around the same age, and he was the one to confess how he almost married the wrong person: his high-school sweetheart, Ella. Since then, he’s been dead-set on finding the right person and building a meaningful relationship. He’s preaching to the choir; no wonder we get along so well!
