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Calista
My palms growsweaty at the thought of seeing Hayden, and I rub them on my apron. Several times. After a moment’s hesitation, I retrieve his business card, the one I didn’t have the courage to throw away. It’s been sitting in my pocket since he first offered it to me, and I’m grateful to my past self that I didn’t get rid of it. Who knew I’d actually be in a position to not only need his help, but actively chase it?
Harper snatches the card from my hand. “‘H. Bennett. Attorney-at-Law. 20010 Greystone Blvd. Suite 901.’ Wow. He didn’t put his first name on it. Talk about boundaries.” She shifts her attention to me, a sly smile playing about her lips. “And yet, the elusive Mr. Bennett gave you his first name.”
He didn’t just give it to me.
He ordered me to use it.
I shrug, feeling the opposite of nonchalant. “I told you, he and I knew each other because of my father’s trial, but we’re mere acquaintances.”
She shoots me a dubious look. “Yeah, acquaintances, where one of you knows a deep secret that the other wants. One that’s big enough that he’d be willing to pay you hundreds of dollars for it. Feed your lies to someone else.”
“You really think he’ll pay that much?”
“Why don’t you tell me?” She shrugs. “You’re the only one who knows the value of the information you’re keeping from him.”
“I need to think about this.”
She waves the card in my face. “Well don’t take too long. Time, and stalkers, wait for no one.”
“Thanks for that.” I sigh and take the business card, running my thumb over the letters. “Do you mind if I make the phone call real quick? I need to do it before I chicken out.”
“Go for it. You know the Sugar Cube isn’t that busy at this time of day. I can handle the customers.”
“Thanks.”
I duck my head and walk over to the phone located on the back wall behind the counter. My fingers tremble when I dial the number listed on the card. Harper gives me a double thumbs up. I smile at her, but I’m sure it’s more of a grimace.
After the first ring, a woman answers, her voice crisp and no-nonsense. “District Attorney’s Office. How can I assist you?”
“Um, hi. I’d like to speak to Mr. Bennett please.”
“He’s not taking calls at this time. Would you like to leave a message and a callback number?”
I grind my molars. Harper’s right; I really need a cell phone. It’s not like I can live inside the Sugar Cube until Hayden calls me back. The idea isn’t unappealing. Unlike my apartment, the cafe has a security system, a telephone, and food.
“No, that’s okay,” I say. “I’ll call back when he’s available. Can you tell me when that’ll be?”
The woman hums and the sound of her typing drifts through the phone. “It depends. Are you a family member of a victim?”
I was.“No.”
“Listen,” she says, her voice cutting, “If you’re calling for personal reasons then you should try his cell. If you don’t have that number, then it’s because he doesn’t want to speak to you. Got it?”
I nod, even though she can’t see me. “Yes, I do. Thank you for your time.”
“Have a good day.”
The way she says it sounds like she’s wishing for me to get run over by a car.
I hang up with a sigh. Harper races to my side, her gaze searching my face. “What happened?”
“The receptionist wouldn’t let me speak to him. She made it sound like I was an ex-girlfriend desperately wanting to get back with him.”
“I can’t see Mr. Fuck-me-harder Bennett with a girlfriend. As a result, she’s probably dealt with the one-night stands in his life who want a relationship. Or she’s used to random women trying to hit on him all the time. I can understand. I’d be more than happy to call his office and offer him a blowjob.”
“Harper!”
