Page 28 of Indiscretion

Naomi took a seat across from me. “Your eye is all healed.”

“It’s still painful though.”

“Oh, no.” She lifted her hand to her chest, covering her heart. “I’m so sorry.”

I couldn’t hide my grin. “I’m teasing.”

She narrowed her eyes. “That was mean.”

I chuckled and sat down. “How’s your hand?”

“Turns out I need surgery. The bones set wrong, so they need to put in pins and stuff.” Naomi lifted her pink cast. “I’m going to be wearing this thing for a few more months. That’s why I haven’t been able to find a job.”

“Shit. I’m sorry.”

Her eyes sparkled. “I’m kidding. Gotcha.”

I shook my head. “Guess I deserved that.”

“You did indeed.”

I sat back in my chair and steepled my fingers. “So…do you have a resume?”

“I do.” She opened a leather satchel and retrieved a padfolio. Slipping a sheet of paper out, she set it on the desk and started to slide it over, then stopped. “Actually, would it be okay if we talk about my qualifications first, rather than going over this?”

I shrugged. “Sure.”

“Thanks.” She let out a big breath. For the next fifteen minutes, Naomi rattled on about her experience. She’d spent a few months working as a paralegal at Watson & Portnoy, a small, general-practice firm in Virginia, but it sounded like she knew her shit. She’d done everything from client intake to drafting complaints.

“It sounds like you’re more than qualified. But I have to ask… Why don’t you want to practice law anymore?”

She looked away. “Being a paralegal is a lot less stressful.”

I was certain that was true, but still seemed like there was more to the story. She didn’t offer it, though, even after I waited and gave her time to elaborate.

“Okay. Well, Ben said you worked at the DA’s office in Virginia.”

She nodded. “I worked at the Richmond County Prosecutors office.”

“You were a trial attorney?”

“Yes.”

“How long were you there?”

“Four years.”

“Tell me more about that. What kind of cases did you work on?”

“I started out doing class five and six felonies—animal cruelty, child neglect, forgery. After a year I was promoted to major cases. I worked on everything from capital murder to racketeering.”

“So you’re familiar with drafting discovery requests, opposition motions, and prepping witness and exhibit lists?”

“Very.”

“And you’re good with doing client intake and answering calls?”

“I’m good with whatever it takes for a job. I’m a hard worker.”

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