Page 210 of The Last Good Man

I need a few seconds to compose myself and not leave a trail of regrets in my wake.

But my mouth can’t stay shut as I gather my things and watch her move to her desk.

“Still doing that pro bono work?”

A nonchalant smile tickles my lips as I yank the strap of my bag over my shoulder.

She inhales deeply as she slides into her seat, moves the mouse, and wakeshercomputer.

My stare is on her face while she absently navigates through folders or maybe checks her email.

“Uh… Yes. I’m still doing that.”

Her fingers run furiously across the keyboard, at odds with her expressionless face.

“I’m getting a new case next month.”

I freeze.

She pushes her gaze up and gives me a smile of icicles.

My legs feel like wool.

“What happened to the other client?”

“He asked to be reassigned.”

“Can he do that?”

She shrugs, no longer looking at me, focused solely on her computer.

I can’t move.

Has Jax asked to be reassigned because of me?

“Apparently…” she murmurs, obviously upset.

She finally rises from her seat while I get the hint and move toward the exit.

“I got a call and was informed thathehad asked for someone else.”

“Uh… Great…? I guess? For him, I mean.”

I mumble stupid shit while she walks with me, smiling with urgency on her face.

The woman is hungry, and she wants me gone.

“All right,” I say, stopping at the door. “I better get going then. See you next week?”

“Sure,” she mutters, and I’ve never felt her more detached and unhappy.

MELODY

“What’s the name of that place again?”

The cab driver looks at me as I tell him the name of the diner.

“And then I need to go home,” I say.

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