Page 13 of Dreaming of You

Chapter Four

Barrett stopped by his office late Friday afternoon to check in on the remodel. To his relief, everything was done. The walls were painted, and the new carpet installed. Warm lighting bathed the rooms, and the furniture had been delivered and set up. His first client would be coming in on Monday, and he was ready for business.

However, as he considered the sleek couch and glass coffee table in the reception area, he found himself wondering if he might have gone a little too modern. This décor had probably fit better in the downtown office he'd previously inhabited, rather than this old Victorian with its nooks and curves, some of which he'd had recently eliminated.

Modern was good, he reminded himself with a frown, hating that Kate's voice had gotten into his head. And it wasn't just her voice, either; it was her fiery blue eyes, dark hair, and beautiful curves. Yeah, he'd definitely spent way too much time thinking about her the past week. He hadn't actually seen her since she'd stormed out of his office several days earlier, but he'd been acutely aware of footsteps overhead and the occasional melodic laughter that drifted down the stairway.

He tensed as he heard the outside door to the building open and then close, followed by a knock on his door. He walked over to open it, mentally preparing himself to go another round with Kate, who would no doubt have noticed the new wallpaper that had gone up in the entry and stairwell the night before. But it was an attractive redhead standing in the hall.

"Can I help you?" he asked.

"I'm Shari. I work upstairs with Kate. I thought I'd say hello. I assume you're Mr. Fox?"

"Barrett Fox," he said, shaking her hand.

"It's good to meet you."

"Is it?" he couldn't help asking.

Shari grinned. "I know you and Kate didn't get off on the right foot, but the cupid statues were more my fault than hers. I was the one who placed the order, and I was the one who suggested we store them down here." She glanced past him. "Wow, you've really changed everything, and in only a couple of days."

He moved back as she stepped inside. "It needed a facelift."

"It looks very…sophisticated…much like you. Although, I assume you don't always wear a tuxedo to work. I suspect I've caught you on your way somewhere."

"The Winter Ball. My date is meeting me here."

"That should be fun. I've heard it's an amazing party."

He shrugged. "We'll see."

"Well, I won't keep you." She turned to leave, then paused. "Will you be working here alone?"

"No. I have a paralegal assisting me—Jackie Carpenter. She'll be starting Monday."

"I look forward to meeting her." Shari paused. "I understand you're a divorce attorney."

"I am."

"Do you represent the women or the men?"

"It depends on the case, who wants to hire me, and how well I think we'd work together."

There was an odd look on Shari's face. "That makes sense."

"Do you know someone who might need a divorce attorney?" he asked.

"Maybe. I don’t know yet. Do you take on new clients?"

"All the time."

"Are you good?" she asked bluntly.

"Very good," he returned.

She smiled. "I like your confidence."

"I think Kate called it arrogance."

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