Page 47 of Indiscretion

“No. I’m meeting a friend. I told you about it before.”

“A male friend?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but yes. A male friend.”

Dawson’s eyes narrowed. “Wait. Is this your ex?”

“Simon, yes. He’s in India for a while, but he’s from New York. He’s home for his sister’s wedding.”

“You looking to rekindle that?”

“No.”

“Doesn’t look that way to me.”

“Excuse me?”

He shrugged. “You’re all dolled up. It looks like you’re going on a date. Could give the guy the wrong impression.”

I put my free hand on my hip. “First of all,all dolled up? What are you, ninety? That’s something my grandfather would’ve said. And second of all, how is putting on a little makeup and wearing a nice outfit giving a guy the wrong impression?”

“Just telling you what I see.”

“What exactly do you see?”

Dawson’s eyes dropped to my toes and worked a slow path up my body. I could practically feel him on my skin. I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry.

“You look beautiful.” His jaw clenched. “Enjoy your date.”

“It’s not a date.”

“Whatever.”

“If I didn’t know better, I would think you were jealous.”

I’d said it because I thought Ididknow better, but Dawson’s face turned red.Oh my God. Is he really jealous?

He turned and walked away, without looking back. “I got shit to do. I’ll be in my office.”

Dawson’s door stayed shut the rest of the afternoon. It was just as well. The man was distracting, and I had a ton of work too. When five o’clock rolled around, I got ready to leave on time, something I hadn’t managed yet. I was meeting Simon at five thirty for an early dinner since he hadn’t adjusted to the time change and was trying not to since he was only home a short time.

I knocked on the door to let Dawson know I was going to take off.

“Come in!”

I opened the door. I’d wondered if Dawson had been avoiding me all afternoon, but it looked like he was up to his eyeballs in work. His desk was covered in papers and a half-dozen red file folders. He had his shirt sleeves rolled up to the elbow, and his tie was gone. I was pretty sure he’d been running a hand through his thick hair. I found the disheveled look oddly sexy.

“What’s up?” he said.

“I’m going to head out. I emailed you the motion on the Emerson file and put together everything for the discovery request on Catalano.”

“Thanks.”

“Are you going to be here late?”

“Probably. The ADA sent over two last-minute witness additions on the Fanning case that goes to trial next week. I’m trying to figure out what the hell they have to do with anything. Whatever I find could change my entire strategy, and I was almost done with trial prep.”

“Shoot. Okay, well, if you need help, I can always come in this weekend.”

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