AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Laura doesn’t even seem to notice. Her eyes are as wide as saucers, and she’s looking at me like I’m a ghost.
“Oh no!” Piper gasps. She grabs a tissue from her desk and blots uselessly at the coffee stain.
“It’s—it’s okay!” Laura says quickly. I wish for a hole to open in the ground to swallow me.
“The new attorney?” I manage.
Laura’s shirt is a stiff white button-up. It’s not sexy.
Correction: Itshouldn’tbe sexy.
She tugs at her braid. “Flowers?” she asks.
I shrug. “Piper handles the new employee welcome gifts,” I explain. It’s certainly a front, but I’m glad that my voice is even. I need to get control of this situation—and fast. “Looking forward to seeing your work, Miss James.”
I look pointedly at the door. It’s as clear of a dismissal as I’m able to manage with Piper watching us, her sharp eyes considering.
“Thank you, Mr. Donovan.” Laura’s voice is as stiff as her shirt now. She nods once to me and holds out a hand.
I don’t want to touch her. I’m afraid to touch her.
I shake her hand, ignoring the way my pulse picks up.
“Let Piper know if you need anything.”
Piper grabs Laura’s elbow, chatting as she leads her away. Both women throw a glance at me from over their shoulders as they leave.
I fall into my chair.
I am so fucking screwed.
CHAPTER 3
Laura
Seven days and a jaw ache so bad from fake smiling that I had to get an ice pack later, and working with David Donovan is no easier.
That first day was easy enough—I was mostly training with Josh, the lawyer who I’ll be taking cases from when he goes on paternity leave. Even the second day wasn’t so bad.
But now, it’s Monday again, and I feel just as overwhelmed as I did last week.
I make a vow to avoid him the best I can, and then promptly run into him in the hallway.
Coming from opposite sides of the hall and turning in the same direction, I take a moment to just look at him. David is a fantastic person to look at—his dark hair, chiseled features, and nice fitted suits make him look more like a model than a lawyer.
I suppose being the senior partner of a firm named after his family has a lot to do with that. He is playing a part, at least some of the time.
Our eyes catch, and I look away. I am so, so glad that I can barely remember the night we were together. Even just a few glimpses of memory are enough to make me blush.
“Miss James,” David says, his eyes flickering across my face quickly. It was just an assessment—something fast and unobtrusive. But his golden brown eyes are captivating to me, and I find myself holding my breath just to make sure that he sees whatever he’s looking for.
“Mr. Donovan,” I reply. I’m grateful my voice comes out clear and firm, instead of the breathy shake I was afraid it would be. “Have a nice weekend?”
He falters in his step.
It’s quick, and he’s back at a punishing pace almost as quickly. It put me just a half of a step farther than him, and I’m honest to god shocked by it.
“Quiet.” He licks his lips.
