Page 19 of Silver Flirt

Understanding dawns in Brett’s eyes. He nods, waving me off. “Say no more. I've got you covered here. Go take care of your girl.”

I flash him a grateful smile before pushing through the door and jogging to my truck. I peel out of the parking lot, tires squealing against the asphalt.

Hang on, baby. I’m coming.

Chapter Six

MELISSA

I sit on my living room couch in my silky pink pajamas, tears streaming down my face as I clutch my phone to my ear.

“I just couldn’t do it anymore, Lisa,” I sniffle. “I can’t work for a firm that doesn’t believe in helping people.”

Lisa makes a sympathetic sound on the other end of the line. “But quitting your job as a partner? Are you sure that was the right move?”

I take a shaky breath, trying to steady my voice. “I had to. I can’t stay somewhere that stifles my ability to help people and make a real difference. It goes against everything I believe in.” I wipe away a tear. “I need to find my own path, even if that means starting over.”

I glance around my dimly lit living room—the expensive but impersonal furniture, the pristine white walls devoid of family photos. I’ve sacrificed so much for my career—maybe too much.

“Well, if anyone can handle this, it’s you, girl. I just hate seeing you hurting like this.”

“I’ll be okay,” I assure her, trying to believe it myself. “I have plenty of money saved. I can take some time to figure out my next steps.”

But underneath my brave facade, I’m terrified.

Who am I without my prestigious job and my identity as a successful lawyer?

The doorbell rings, startling me out of my thoughts. I groan in annoyance. Who could possibly be at my door at this hour? All I want is to wallow in my misery and finish this bottle of wine.

“Let me call you right back, Lisa. Someone’s at the door.”

I set my glass down on the coffee table and pad over to the front door, not bothering to check my appearance. Whoever it is will just have to deal with my puffy eyes and ratty pajamas.

I swing open the door, ready to send away whatever salesperson or neighbor has chosen to disturb my pity party.

But the sight that greets me stops me short, my mouth falling open in shock.

Bash Cooper stands on my doorstep, his handsome face etched with concern.

“Bash?” I blink up at him in disbelief. “What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t coming until tomorrow.”

He steps closer, his masculine scent enveloping me. “You were crying on the phone earlier. I decided that tomorrow was tomorrow was too long to wait.”

“You drove all the way from Barton Beach because I was crying? Bash, that’s over four hours away.”

“Baby, I would drive to the end of the earth to see you if I had to.” His hand gently cups my face, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. “Can I come in?”

Still stunned by his presence, I numbly step aside to let him enter.

“Sorry, the place is a mess,” I mutter, hastily grabbing a throw pillow to cover the wine stain on my couch.

He waves away my apology, his eyes never leaving my face. “What’s going on, Melissa? Talk to me.”

I sink back onto the couch, burying my face in my hands. “I quit my job today.”

The cushion dips as he sits beside me, his strong arm coming around my shoulders. “What? I thought you loved being a lawyer. What happened?”

The words pour out of me, a torrent of frustration and disappointment. “I just couldn’t take it anymore. They cut the pro bono program, Bash. It’s like it meant nothing. After all the good I’ve done over the years, after all the people I’ve helped, it’s like they don’t even care anymore.”

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