Page 36 of When You Give a Lawyer a Kiss

My pulse quickens as I crane my neck, searching the crowd.Why are there so many people standing around?

Harrison’s voice cuts through my focus. “Now you’re the one acting strange.”

I dismiss him with a wave and take a step forward, my gaze still roaming the area. Then, I catch another glimpse of red, the woman coming into full view, and my heart races with recognition.

It’s Reese.

She’s in the far corner of the room, wearing a black cocktail dress with a plunging neckline that hugs her curves and falls just above her knees. A smile tugs at my lips when I notice her sneakers—black with intricate, hand-drawn white-and-gold flowers.

My smile fades when a man comes to stand next to her. He’s tall and lanky with short brown hair and stubble on his face. He looks to be in his early twenties. A red haze clouds my vision and my jaw ticks as I watch him lean in to tuck a strand of hair behind Reese’s ear. He says something that causes her to laugh, and the musical sound is like a magnet, drawing me closer.

My patience snaps when the man has the nerve to put his hand on Reese’s lower back and hands her a bottle of water.

“I’ll be back,” I tell Harrison, not bothering to elaborate.

I move across the club with determination, oblivious to the other partygoers who give me a wide berth as I pass. When I get closer, I can hear Reese talking. “You’re the best, Noah. Thanks for this.” She takes a long drink from the water.

“Anytime, babe. Now shouldn’t you be getting back to work?” he says with a smug grin.

That’s when I notice the serving tray tucked under Reese’s arm.

What the hell is she doing working at a club?

Better question, why did he just call her babe?

“Shouldn’t you be doing the same?” she asks with a mischievous glint in her eye.

“I had to come over and make sure you were staying hydrated. Now, finish your water,” Noah says.

“Yes,boss,” Reese quips.

“I thought that title only belonged to me?” I cut in, my tone cold.

Her eyes widen with recognition at the sound of my voice, and her gaze shifts in my direction, holding the bottle halfway to her lips.

“D-Dawson?” she stammers, her cheeks turning red. “What are you doing here?”

Noah positions himself close to Reese as if to shield her.

“Dawson Tate,” I tell him, extending my hand.

He relaxes his stance when he hears my name and accepts my handshake. I give him a firm grip, establishing my dominance.

“I’ve heard so much about you. I’m a court clerk for the New York County Supreme Court. You’re kind of a legend there.” He chuckles nervously.

“I see. And how exactly do you know Reese?”

“We met during our freshman year in college. We’ve been friends ever since, and both of us work here. We’re also studying for the LSAT together.”

“I’m a server here,” Reese chimes in, holding up the empty tray. “And Noah’s a bartender.”

My mind reels at this information. Why didn’t she mention she had another job? Does she go home with Noah after their shift? Are they sleeping together? A flood of questions race through my mind as my gaze darts between them.

It never crossed my mind that Reese could be seeing someone. Now, all the logical questions I had pushed aside are suddenly pressing.

“Reese, can we talk somewhere in private?” I ask, tamping down my jealousy and the overwhelming urge to get her out of her.

The last thing I should do is make a scene, but I can’t wait to talk to her.

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