Page 45 of Cocky Counsel

“What did I lie about?” I asked with a decent level of annoyance in my tone.

“You said he was attractive, but you failed to mention that he was panty-dropping gorgeous,” she scolded, still looking past me. “I can’t say that I blame you, I would jump on that at every opportunity I had as well.”

“Okay, now you’re being ridiculous,” I huffed, moving around her as I hoped she would give in and follow me. “Let’s go before they come out, or I’m not taking you for tacos,” I warned. I knew that was the keyword to get her ass moving.

“Fine,” she sighed and turned to walk with me right as Ethan’s door opened and voices carried out.

“Eva, it’s nice to see you again,” Graham said, stopping me in my tracks. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before I turned around to look at him. I shot a quick warning glare at Brittany for her to be on her best behavior as I plastered on the professional smile I had mastered my first year out of law school.

“Graham, it’s nice to see you as well. How are you?”

“I’m well, thank you. This is my girlfriend, Soraya,” he said with his arm around her waist.

“You must be Eva,” she said before giving Ethan a smug smile. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I replied as we shook hands. I looked up at Ethan, wondering what she meant by ‘she heard so much about me’. His face was a faint reddish color as the blush crept across his skin. He shoved his hands into his pockets and looked away nervously.

“Well, we were just on our way out,” I said politely, smiling as I looked between the three of them. “Have a wonderful evening.”

I turned to walk away, thankful for the opportunity to get the hell out of there when I felt a hand grab my arm and stop me.

“Sorry, just a second,” Soraya apologized. “Graham and I are having dinner tomorrow night at Zenkichi in Brooklyn and would love it if you and Ethan could join us. What do you say?”

I looked past her, over to Ethan and Graham who both lowered their heads and avoided looking at me. What in the hell happened in that meeting and why was this woman who didn’t even know me, asking me to dinner? I could feel the anxiety starting to build as I desperately tried to think of an excuse when suddenly, I was thankful that for once I had real plans.

“I’m so sorry, unfortunately, I can’t make it. I have plans with my sisters for dinner and drinks tomorrow night.” I pulled my lips together in a sympathetic smile and slightly tilted my head to the side. I watched as Soraya’s face fell with disappointment. She glanced over her shoulder before turning back to me.

“Well, maybe another time.”

I nodded and was about to turn around to leave when Brittany decided to speak up.

“I actually just got a text message from Gabi that they have to cancel tomorrow night. Jackson is sick.” Her voice cracked at the end and I could hear the lies as she spit them out. I narrowed my eyes at her as I clenched my jaw. She smirked before she continued, “I also have to cancel for tonight, I just found out that my grandmother is visiting from out of town.”

I shook my head. She was unbelievable.

“Your grandma is dead,” I bit out quietly.

“Well, we’re very spiritual and we never say no to a random visit, so I gotta go,” she laughed nervously as my icy stare penetrated her soul. Or at least I hoped it did.

She turned on her heel and was down the hallway before I could stop her. I tried to slowly pull in a deep breath and calm myself before I turned back to face Soraya. Apparently, there was no way out of dinner with them tomorrow night after all.

“Well, then, I guess I’m free tomorrow night.” I shrugged my shoulders and tried to smile.

“Actually, since your plans got canceled tonight too, did you guys want to do dinner now? Graham and I don’t have any plans,” she said excitedly.

“That’s not exactly true,” he said with a growl.

“Your plans can wait,” she teased and shook her head before turning her attention back to me. “Men,” she sighed.

“So what do you say, Ethan? Dinner?” Graham asked with a heavy sigh.

“Why not?” He smiled, but it was the forced one that I had seen him use plenty of times during meetings that he didn’t want to be in. He pulled his office door closed behind him as we all walked out to the lobby.

Graham and Soraya walked ahead of us as I pulled back to walk with Ethan. I watched as they held hands and she leaned into him as they waited for the elevator to open.

“What the hell is going on?” I hissed quietly to Ethan.

“I’ll tell you about it later,” he whispered before he placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me into the elevator.

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