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ChapterOne
High heelsand ice don’t mix. So somebody explain to me why the hell I’m out in a Chicago snow storm in high heels and a pencil skirt? It wasn’t even December yet but apparently winter came early this year. If someone would’ve told me this is what my job would entail, I might’ve reconsidered. I threw my arms out, trying to catch myself before I hit the ground, nearly losing my briefcase in the process.
I told myself to wear different shoes when I left this morning. I could’ve just brought the heels along and changed when I got to the office. But stubbornness runs as strongly in my family as alcoholism and I kept telling myself I didn’t have far to walk and I’d be fine. Maybe if I crack my head open on the sidewalk, I’ll finally learn my lesson.
Strong warm hands wrapped around my elbows, steadying me before I could completely eat it and make a fool of myself.
“Woah. You okay?”
Grimacing, I righted myself and took a step away, flinching when my heels slipped again. The stranger frowned, offering me his hand.
“Here, let me help you. Are you headed inside?”
I nodded helplessly, too focused on keeping my feet on the ground to answer him properly. He rough hand gripped mine as he led me toward the stairs of my office building. Since the storm was just getting started there was nothing being done about the ice just yet and while I normally don’t like help from anyone, I begrudgingly admitted to myself that maybe just this once, I could use a hand.
I didn’t normally meet clients on a weekend but given the circumstances, I felt like discretion was key. The door was unlocked, the weekend security guard eyeing us suspiciously from his desk as we stumbled inside. His eyebrows rose when he noticed it was me, leaping up from his chair and rushing to stand in front of us.
“Miss Sloan! Are you alright?”
Blowing my bangs out of my face, I swiped at my jacket, dusting off the light layer of snow that had accumulated. I should’ve driven here. I just can’t stand driving in the winter, especially in a snowstorm. A shiver rolled through me at the memory of the last time I had been in a car during a snowstorm. Never again. I’d rather take the train and walk in the snow for miles.
“I’m alright, Eli. Thank you.”
His gaze lifted, focused over my shoulder. Oh right, the stranger who helped me. I turned, forcing a small smile. “I appreciate your help, Mr…”
He stuck out his hand, grinning at me. “Just Jaime is fine.”
I took it, giving him a firm shake but I paused as I studied him. Deep dimples on each cheek struck me dumb for a second. I’d been so focused on keeping my feet, I didn’t stop to look at him until now. He puts the word adorable to shame. Stylish blonde hair, light green eyes, and just a hint of scruff on his face. His hair was tousled from the storm and a few strands fell onto his forehead, giving me the urge to reach out and brush it away. He was wearing a nice gray suit with a cream colored overcoat, but it was his tie that caught my attention.
“Is that Star Wars?”
His grin only grew, mischievous green eyes dancing. “Yes. The suit comes with the job. I gotta make it fun somehow.”
His tie was dark blue and if you weren’t paying attention, you’d probably overlook the little storm troopers printed on it.
Blinking a few times, I frowned. I wasn’t normally so befuddled by a guy but Jaime left me feeling a little unbalanced and I wasn’t entirely sure I liked it. I shook my head to clear it, realizing too late that I was still holding his hand. Jerking away, I grimaced at the unprofessionalism I was displaying. What’s with me today?
“Is there something I can help you with?”
He shoved his hands into his pockets, bouncing on his toes, his gaze flicking to Eli before returning to me. “I’m here regarding the meeting scheduled for today.”
My eyebrows went up. He wasn’t the man I was expecting to meet and immediately my guard went up. Given who I was supposed to be meeting with, I was wary about strangers approaching me about it. I waited for him to say more but he just gave me an expectant look. It seemed like as long as we were standing in front of Eli, he wasn’t going to speak on the matter, which made sense. It was the entire point of meeting on a weekend in a mostly closed office.
Even though I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted to be left alone with this man, no matter how good looking he was, I gestured behind me and forced a smile.
“Well, if you’ll follow me, my office is this way.”
Spinning on my heel, I led him down the marble hall of the building. I’ve been working at Barnum & Wyler law for a little over a year now and I still couldn’t stand this building. It always seemed cold and during the winter, it was downright frigid. The brown paneling on the walls did nothing to warm up the space. Our offices were situated on the second floor of an old government building and even in the summer I had to fight off the urge to shiver. Intricate old fashioned elevators opened to another hallway with marble floors and pretentious art on the walls. I’ve mentioned before commissioning local artists but no one seemed to care about that sort of thing and just dismissed me.
Our offices were on the right. I unlocked the glass door, flicking on the lights to the main reception area. Standard gray carpets, uncomfortable leather chairs, it was all very cliché. I marched past the reception desk, down the long hall. All the offices had glass walls so there was no sense of privacy. I ended up bringing a privacy screen from home just to make my clients feel more comfortable.
My office was right in the middle, one of the smallest since I’ve been here the least amount of time. Everyone had their eyes on the corner office but I didn’t really care either way. I wasn’t here to focus on mundane things like that. I was here to work and I’m good at what I do.
Unlocking the door, I pushed it open and gestured inside, turning on the light as I followed him in. I hung my coat on the stand by the door while watching him take in the space. The privacy screen stretched in front of the window, blocking the view of my small cheap looking desk, two old leather arm chairs in front of it, and the plant my mother bought me when I first started. It was only alive because the janitor has been watering it for me. I kill every plant my mother sends me but that’s never stopped her before. She likes to spend money and seems to think plants are the way to shower people with affection. She did stop sending me the more complicated plants to take care of. I kept giving them back to her half dead or brown and brittle and she figured out pretty quickly that only the easy stuff would do.
Sitting behind my desk, I pulled a notepad from the top drawer and grabbed a pen from the cupholder in front, settling my gaze on Jaime. He took off his overcoat, draping it over the back of the armchair before sitting down. Resting one ankle on the opposite knee, he leaned back, looking relaxed and easy going, which was unsettling. Most people who come looking for a lawyer are a little more uptight.
“So, how can I help you?”
