Page 53 of Home With You

"The one for the meeting today." She reaches across me and grabs the stack of folders. She rifles through them and yanks one out, then shoves the stack at me. "Hurry, up. We're going to be late."

I set the files down, glancing at the clock on my desk. It's almost four. I didn't realize it was so late. I've been working nonstop since I got here. I didn't even have time for lunch. I was hoping I'd be able to sneak out at noon and go see Raine but then Lisa piled more work on me and I couldn't leave.

"Why are you still sitting there?" Lisa barks, staring down at me.

"Sorry." I hop up from my chair. "Let's go."

But instead of leaving, she stands in front of me. "What's going on with you?"

"Nothing. Why?"

"You've been acting out of it all day. Are you sick?" She steps back, pointing her finger at me. "I don't have time to be sick. If you're sick and didn't tell me—"

"I'm not sick."

"Then what is it? Why are you so out of it today?"

"I'm not. I'm fine." I go around her and head to the conference room.

Lisa's right. I haven't been myself today. I can't stayed focused and it's taking forever to get my work done. It's because of Raine. I keep thinking of her and our date last night. It wasn't really a date, but it felt like it was, especially at the end, when we kissed.

That wasn't just any kiss. There was something between us. Something that confirmed it wasn't just her physical appearance drawing me to her that night in the coffee shop. It was more than that. I felt something for her I can't explain. It's why I can't get her out of my head. Why I've been distracted at work. Why I keep waking up at night, unable to sleep.

She ran off last night and I don't know why. I know she felt something from that kiss. It wasn't just me. So why did she leave?

I have to talk to her. Find out what happened last night. I've been counting the minutes until I can get out of here and go see her. I just have to get through this meeting and then I can leave.

Everyone's already in the conference room when I get there, including one of the partners. The meeting is about our client who owns the hotels. I was hoping I wouldn't have to work on this case but I did such a good job on the research Lisa assigned me that she convinced her boss to keep me on the case.

"Miles, tell them what you found," Lisa says halfway through the meeting.

I have no idea what she's talking about. My mind has been on Raine the whole time and I haven't been listening.

I straighten up in my chair. "What specifically are you referring to?"

Lisa glares at me, but forces out a smile. "Tell everyone what you discovered about the man's history."

She's referring to the guy who fell down the stairs. The one who's suing our client.

"My research found that he spent time in jail for minor offenses," I say, "including loitering and petty theft."

"And he was homeless at one point, correct?" Lisa asks.

"Yes, but that's not a criminal offense."

"But it will prove to the judge he's just out to get money," Gerald says. He's old, and one of the original partners of the firm. He's too important to show up at meetings like this but he's good friends with our client so he's overseeing the case.

"The medical records show his injuries were substantial," I point out. "It's not unreasonable for him to ask for compensation."

"Whose side are you on?" Gerald asks, narrowing his eyes at me.

Lisa kicks my foot under the table. "I'm sure Miles is just pointing out issues we'll need to address with the jury, assuming we're unable to settle out of court."

"Settling is the only option," Gerald says. "If this goes to trial, every one of you is fired." He looks at each of us at the table. "And settling is our last resort. Our client shouldn't have to pay a dime to some opportunistic homeless man seeking damages for his own carelessness."

Carelessness? The guy wasn't being careless. He was just trying to walk down the stairs. He fell because our client didn't fix his staircase.

"He's no longer homeless," I say. Lisa kicks me again under the table but I continue. "He works as a mechanic now and bought a house last year."

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