Page 123 of Don't Quit the Day Job

"Order some food in."

"What I want to eat can't be ordered." I growl into the phone. "I'm hard just thinking about you."

"Hard or hungry?"

"Both." I step into the hallway and stifle a groan as I spot Kingston headed my way with a huge scowl on his face. Skye is walking behind him, her long red hair piled on top of her head and she's mumbling something under her breath. "Hey, I'll see you in twenty minutes, Lila. Love you."

"Love you more." She hangs up and I put my phone into my pocket. "Hey Kingston." I walk over to my partner and he nods without stopping. "You got a second?" I press and he nods again before turning to Skye.

"Let me speak to Max and then I will meet you in the office. Please ensure you have all the correct files on my desk and be prepared to discuss what just happened." He's almost scolding her and I watch as Skye just rolls her eyes and continues walking.

"Have a great day, Skye." I smile at her. "Lila said you're coming to dinner on Friday night, right? Look forward to seeing you then."

"Thanks, Max." She beams at me, her green eyes crinkling in the corner. "I'm looking forward to it."

"You're having her over?" Kingston raises an eyebrow as he gestures me back into my office. He watches her walk away and then turns back to me. "Good luck with that." His words may sound polite, but his tone indicates that he thinks it’s going to be horrible. Interesting.

"With what?" I ask him as he closes the door behind me. "New assistant not going well?"

"Not as well as yours went." He grins and clucks his tongue. "You're welcome, by the way."

"For?"

"You wouldn't be knocking boots with Lila if I hadn't told you to hire her."

"Kingston..." I shake my head. "You're so classy."

"I know." He grins. "Gabe is back tomorrow by the way so we're going to have a morning meeting to go over the books and the status of some of our top cases."

"Sounds good to me." I nod. "It will be good to see him."

"We're going out for drinks in the evening as well, if you want to join. Not sure if the new ball and chain will stop you."

"I have the balls." I pat him on the shoulder and smirk. "And maybe I'll get some chains as well. Lila likes to experiment just as much as I do. Maybe you should get a girlfriend as well; stop you from being such a grouch lately."

"I'm not a grouch." He clears his throat and then shakes his head. "Okay, maybe I've been a bit annoyed lately, but Skye is driving me insane."

"Oh?" I hide a grin. "Why is that?"

"Let's just say she is testing my last nerves."

"So I take it you don't want to come to dinner Friday night?" I ask as he just stares at me. "I don't suppose you want to see her outside of the office, do you?"

"She thinks I never leave the office. She thinks my life is this job." He grunts. "Like I have no life. I could have ten dates tonight if I wanted. In fact, I could have one hundred dates tomorrow night. In fact, I should come on Friday with a date. Show Skye who the real workaholic is."

"Uhm?" I stare at him for a few seconds processing everything he has just said. "Is this your way of saying you're coming and bringing a date?"

"Yes." He grins suddenly. "And don't tell Skye. I want it to be a secret."

"Okay then. I hope you know what you're doing."

"Oh, trust me, I know exactly what I'm doing." He nods and heads back to the door. "Anyway, I'll see you later. I have work to do."

"Sounds good to me." I watch as he leaves my office, then I pull out my phone and text Lila. "Make sure to get food for two more on Friday and maybe some fire extinguishers as well because I have a feeling there are going to be many explosions at dinner."

I smile to myself as I send the text and wonder if love might come to another member of the law firm soon.

Epilogue

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