Page 14 of Cause and Effect

“Julian, who is this lovely woman?” My mother smiled, walking over to us.

“Mom, this is Laurel. She’s the new attorney we hired. Laurel, my mother, Calista.”

“I’m a hugger,” my mother said, hugging her. “It’s wonderful to meet you.”

“It’s wonderful to meet you, too. Happy birthday.”

“So, Mom. What does this Declan guy do for a living?” I asked.

“He’s a Portfolio Manager at Sterling Capital.”

“He works for Shaun Kind?” My brows furrowed.

“Yes. You be nice, Julian. I really like him,” she said, patting my chest and walking away.

“I’m always nice, Mom!” I shouted.

“Are you, though?” Laurel smirked. “I may beg to differ.”

“Differ all you want. I don’t care.” I finished my drink.

“Laurel, come with me.” Morgan ran over, grabbed her hand, and took her to the other side of the bar.

“Julian, my attorney and friend.” Shaun Kind grinned, hooking his arm around me. “Any way you can escape the office tomorrow and fly to San Francisco with me for the day?”

“Why are you going to San Francisco?”

“Pierce Finley called, and he’s ready to negotiate his company. We’ll be back in the early evening.”

“I don’t have court tomorrow. What time?”

“The plane will be ready to leave at seven-thirty a.m. I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“Sounds good. Now, talk to me about Declan Ross.”

“What about him?” Shaun’s brows furrowed.

“He and Calista are seeing each other,” I said.

“Ah. Good for him.” Shaun smiled. “Calista is a great woman.”

“She is. That’s why I’m concerned,” I said.

“Declan is a good guy. If he weren’t, he wouldn’t be working for me.”

I couldn’t keep my eyes off Laurel, who stood on the other side of the bar, talking to Morgan and Melinda. She was so damn beautiful, and it sucked that she had three kids. Placing my hand in my pocket, I stopped my cock from misbehaving as I envisioned what her body looked like out of her clothes. My imagination ran wild, and no matter how hard I tried to stop thinking about her and bending her over my desk, I couldn’t.

Chapter Six

Julian

After we met with Pierce Ross, Shaun and I climbed into the back of the limousine.

“I’ll get the paperwork drawn up for you to sign and file it with the state,” I said.

“Excellent.” He smiled. “Let’s grab some lunch.”

“Sounds good. After, I need to make a stop at the Public Defender’s Office.”

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