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Speak, Dawson. Speak!
Mr. Morgan’s tone is razor sharp. “We need you to dig up every medication Mr. Bradley was on. We hope to show he fell due to dizzying side-effects.”
But that’s not even close to the truth! Ihatethis case. And now I know why The Crusher answered—he wants something from me, of course.
“Mr. Morgan, I’m sorry…” I squeak out before my throat goes dry.
“Dawson, this isn’t up for debate. You’re in the office at eight a.m. tomorrow, or you’re fired.”
My mouth opens, and the words flood out. “Thank you for this opportunity and experience, Mr. Morgan. I have learned a great deal working for you. But I cannot sacrifice important time with my family.”
“What are you talking about? Your parents are on some cruise,” he says, indignant.
“Not all family is blood. And they need me right now. And, actually, I need them too. So, I won’t be in the office tomorrow.”
“Well, then. You’re fired.”
“That’s completely unreasonable, but best of luck. Oh, and by the way, shame on you for what you’re doing to that injured elderly man.” I hit the button on the steering wheel to disconnect the call.
I sit, staring ahead, in disbelief at myself.
I did it! I found my words and said my truth.
And now, I’ve got a broccoli dog decoration to hang on the Cherry Creek Christmas tree… and my final gift from Eleanor to pick up.
ChapterEleven
I roll into downtown,and it’s so late, I missed the Quinn family dinner and tree hanging tradition. I texted Sawyer back after reading his texts telling me that he desperately needed to talk to me. I responded by saying:meet me at the courthouse at 11:30. We’re just going to make it on Christmas Eve, and I know where our gift from Eleanor is.
I step out of my car in my coat, hat, scarf, and gloves. It’s dark, it’s snowing, and it’s cold.
Sawyer is standing in front of the courthouse wearing all his layers, and he’s smiling, relieved. I shove my hands into my pocket as I approach him. “Sorry it took me so long to write you back.”
The smile falls away. “Yeah. Why was that?”
I bite my lip. “I saw you hugging Françoise. In Gifts and Bits.”
“Oh, Dawson.” He rakes a hand through his hair. “There’s nothing between me and Françoise.”
“Maybe there should be. You two seemed to be enjoying yourselves. She’s single and lives in Cherry Creek.”
“She’s not the one I want.”
My heart trips over its next beat. “No?”
“Never. She was helping me out, that’s it.”
I blow out a breath. “Helping you with what?”
“I can’t say.”
“You can’t say,” I parrot, my voice turning sharp. “See? This is why I can’t trust you.”
“Trust?” Sawyer groans. “Dawson, jeez. What happened that made you think this of me?”
I stand silent, trying to figure out why I’m angrier than I should be at all this. I can’t quite grasp it, but it’s bubbling just under the surface. When Sawyer says, “I don’t get it. We were always competitive, but I never broke your trust.”
“Are you kidding me?” I snarl, my face growing hot. “You were my date for my debutante ball, which you knew meant everything to my parents. And a lot to me. I wasdesperateto make my parents proud, and you stood me up.”
