Page 13 of Attraction & Repulsion

Still, she shifted to make room. “It’s all yours.”

He slid into the seat, his cobalt eyes dazzling her. “I haven’t seen you in a while.” Then his gaze flicked to her forehead. “You got your stitches out.” With no hesitation he reached up to brush her curled hair out of the way, inspecting the scar. She was startled at his nonchalant touch, but even more startled by how it made her heart skip with trepidation.

“I got them out about two weeks ago, on my birthday,” she said, remembering how she had thought it was a treat getting her stitches out on her special day. Like a little birthday gift to herself. The surgical thread wasstarting to get annoying, and it was a relief to finally have them removed.

He lowered his arm. “When was your birthday?”

“August twenty-first.”

“Happy belated birthday.” He gave her forehead one more peek. “The doctor did a very nice job stitching you up. You probably won’t see it in a couple of years.”

Disappearing scars would make my life a whole lot easier, Carson thought.

“You look beautiful, by the way,” Jax added.

Carson flushed and raked her hands through her dark hair, hoping to tame any flyaways. Ever since the consultation, Noah had relentlessly tried to meddle, constantly asking if Jax had called her yet. Which Jax hadn’t. Carson forbade herself from deciphering what his lack of communication could mean and ignored why it made her feel disappointed.

“Thank you,” she said. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”

“Honestly, I haven’t worn a suit since Kristen,” Jax admitted. “She always wanted me to dress fancy.”

“Guessing you don’t like dressing up?” Carson eyed his pristine suit again; confident he had just purchased it for this event and this event only.

“Not even a little. If I ever get married again, which I’m still debating since the last time didn’t work out so well, I’m going to show up in jeans and boots.” He tugged at his collar. “I might even shower.”

Carson laughed. “That will be one lucky bride.”

Their conversation came to a halt when Hunter and Raegan returned to the table.

“What are you two smiling about?” Raegan asked while Hunter pulled out her chair for her.

“My future wedding,” Jax said.

“Oh, great,” Hunter complained. “This time, can you choose someone who isn’t a traitorous wh—”

Raegan smacked Hunter’s arm.

Jax grinned. “That’s the goal.”

“So, are you going to explain to me why you called Carson, Mr. Hoover?” Raegan pried.

“I had a meeting at her office with him,” Jax explained. “Except he was busy, so she took over.”

“Really?” Raegan raised her perfectly plucked eyebrows. “Why do you need to see an attorney?”

“Kristen got a new job, so I’m trying to end spousal maintenance.”

Raegan glanced at Carson. “Is that possible?”

“It’s possible.” Carson pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, giving her attention to Jax. “To be honest spousal support is rare for cases like yours. Judge Callaghan, who was assigned to your case, is a sucker for women’s sob stories in divorces. I typically don’t speak ill of the judges, especially at work and with clients, hence why I didn’t say anything during your consultation.”

Hunter shook his head. “I didn’t even know Kristen was capable of working.”

“Me either,” Jax fumed. “I’m still kicking myself for believing all her lies.”

Raegan looked nervously at Jax. “Are you sure you want to put yourself through all of that again? Since . . . you know . . .” Raegan, Jax, and Hunter exchanged glances as though there was a secret between them. A few times those glances were pointed at Carson.

Before Jax could answer, a screech from the speakers broke up their conversation. A short, plump man standing at the podium onstage loweredthe mic to his height.

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