Page 6 of Cause and Effect

“That cheesy look on your face tells me otherwise.”

“Don’t you have work to do?” I cocked my head.

She shook her head and left my office.

“What?” I shouted, holding out my arms.

Okay, maybe I was a little rude. Sighing, I stood, grabbed my coffee, and walked down to Laurel’s office.

“You got a minute?” I asked, standing in the doorway.

“Sure,” she said. “Come on in.”

I entered her office, where she put picture frames on her desk.

“Sorry if I was a little rude in the kitchen. I’m intolerable until I’ve had my coffee.”

“Apology accepted.” She smiled, and my cock twitched.

“Anyway, welcome to The Hamilton Group.”

“Thank you, Julian. I appreciate it.”

I walked over to her desk and picked up one of the picture frames, staring at the three little girls, who were all smiling.

“Are these your nieces?” I asked.

“Those three angels are my daughters.”

I gulped as my stomach twisted in a knot.

“Your daughters?”

“This is Stella. She’s ten. And these are the twins, Sara and Sophie. They’re nine.”

“Huh. They’re cute.” I set the frame back on her desk. I assumed the father wasn’t in the picture, but I had to know for sure.

“Do you have full custody or share custody with their father?” I asked.

She stared at me momentarily, and I was lost in her beautiful blue eyes.

“I have full custody. Their father, my husband, died two years ago.”

“Oh.” My brows furrowed. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“Julian,” Melinda stood in the doorway. “James Peterson is on the phone for you.”

“Thanks, Melinda. I have to take this call. I’ll see you around.”

I stepped into my office and picked up the phone. “James, how can I help you?”

“I have a new deal for your client.”

“Oh yeah? What deal are you offering?”

“Five years. Out in three with good behavior.”

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