Page 67 of Indiscretion

“I still think you’re wrong, and that’s not always the case. But you were right this time.”

I dug into my pants pocket. “Hang on, let me get my phone out so I can record you saying that last part.”

She smiled again, and this time it reached her eyes. Naomi had momentarily forgotten about her sick sister, the two little kids she was going to have to take care of, the asshole she’d thought was her friend, and losing her license to practice law. It was a beautiful damn sight, her smile. And I wanted nothing more than to give that to her—even just a few moments of forgetting. Don’t get me wrong, I’d like to make her forgetother ways, too. But I’d take what I could get.

Naomi yawned, and even though I would’ve rather stayed right here and told her jokes—do whatever it took to keep that beautiful smile on her face—it was a reminder that I needed to clear out. She needed sleep, and unfortunately, I had to get to court.

I smacked my hands on my thighs and pushed to my feet. “I should get going.”

Naomi stood, too. “Okay. I hate to ask for any more favors, but Molly and Ryder’s summer camps don’t start until nine thirty. Would it be okay if I worked ten to six today?”

“Take the day off. You haven’t even slept yet.”

“I’m good. I catnapped on a chair when my sister fell asleep. I just don’t have anyone to drop them off for me. Frannie’s going to call her sister-in-law to pick them up, so I can work later and still get the hours in. I just need to shift my starting and ending time a bit.”

“Do whatever you need to do. But I think you should stay home and get some rest. Go visit your sister later.”

“I’m really fine. And I can pop in at lunch to see her.” Naomi rested her hand on my arm. It made my barely awake body jump to life. “Thanks again, Dawson.”

“Anytime, babe.”

She walked me to the door. “I just thought of how I’m going to say thank you.”

“Oh yeah?”

“My mother’s coconut upside down cake. She used to make it all the time when we were kids. My sister has her recipe box. I’m sure it’s in there.”

I was tempted to say something about what I’d found in the bathroom. But this wasn’t the time, though I could definitely have some fun until it was. Catching her eye, I smiled. “Sounds good to me. You know I’ll eatanythingthat smells like coconut.”

Chapter 18

NAOMI

“How’s your sister?” Dawson stopped at my desk the next afternoon on his way back from court.

“She’s doing much better. They gave her a second transfusion today, but her color has improved, and she has a lot more energy already. They’re going to keep her at least another day, though.”

“Well, do whatever you have to do workwise. If you need to be home to take care of the kids or shift your hours or work half days, it’s all good.”

I smiled. “That’s very sweet of you. But Cynthia, Frannie’s sister-in-law, came to stay for a few days. With the two of us, it shouldn’t be a problem working my normal hours. I do appreciate you offering, though.”

Dawson nodded. “Just a heads up, I have a client coming in with her now ex-husband. They own a mortgage brokerage company and were both indicted for mortgage fraud. They were still married at the time, but the case has dragged on for two years, and it’s become more complicated since they split up. Worse, when they told me they were getting divorced six months ago, I advised that they should have separate counsel, even though they were charged jointly. NowEmilyrepresents the wife. So this should be a fun-filled afternoon.”

“Oh my. Yeah, that sounds like an interesting dynamic. Is there anything I can do to help you get ready?”

“No. I’m good. But I have a prospective new client I’m meeting with tomorrow. Maybe you could do some research on him and let me know what you come up with? I like to do a bit of due diligence before I sign on anyone new, to see what I’m potentially getting myself into and know what type of questions to ask when they come in.”

“Sure thing.”

“Thanks. I’ll email you over his name and what I know about his case.”

A half hour later, Dawson was on the phone when the receptionist buzzed to say his client’s wife was here with her counsel. I figured I’d help out and get them set up in the conference room, so I went out to greet them.

“Hi. I’m Naomi Heart. I work for Dawson.”

The woman who I’d assumed was the client stood. But her attorney was too busy typing into her phone to look up. I waited. When Emily finally dragged her nose from her cell, she blinked a few times. “You…”

I smiled and extended a hand. “It’s good to see you again, Emily.”

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