Page 45 of Legal

Everything was moving right along until my coffee maker refused to work. Ugh. I unplugged it and plugged it back in, checked if it was clogged, knocked it around a little. Still nothing. Be careful what you wish for. The universe must have taken notice of me ranting yesterday and decided to deliver me a broken present to fix. Nice.

I sighed, then shook it off. It was really no big deal. I’d woken up early enough and had plenty of time to run out for coffee before I anchored myself to the office chair.

I grabbed my purse, hopped in the car, and was pulling back into my driveway with a twenty-ounce cup in nine minutes flat. As I neared closer to the garage, I noticed a box sitting on my front porch.

I parked and darted up the stairs, wondering exactly what I’d find. It seemed to be my day for gifts, which worried me just a bit. A small envelope was taped on top, so I peeled it off and held it up to the sunlight before opening it.

Argh, just open it already. I tugged the card free from the envelope and immediately went to the signature.Chase. My throat tightened. Up until that very moment, I hadn’t even entertained the thought that he was the sender. Why, I didn’t know, except that maybe I didn’t want him to be so I blocked out the possibility.

Jillian—My peace offering. I’m sorry for overstepping my bounds. Chase

I picked up the box and carried it inside. I looked it over well, then shook it.Clunk. I set it on the table, stared at it a while, then picked it back up and turned it upside down.Clunk. I did everything except open the damned thing.

Ridiculous. What exactly was I afraid of?

I grabbed scissors from the drawer and skimmed the blade along the top, breaking the tape. I pulled the cardboard apart and… Hot sauce?

I took the small bottle out and read the label:Lunacy Sauce. Was he trying to tell me something?

I grabbed the sauce and my coffee and went into my office. Should I keep an eye over my shoulder today? Maybe my next surprise would be a visit from the funny farm-mobile.

My accounts were organized in front of me, all the calls I needed to make lined up in order of importance. I had my coffee and was ready to kick ass, but….

Hot sauce?

I set my phone down, and my eyes had barely flicked over the computer screen before I heard thedingof a new text.

Is that what you call it? Hot sauce?he replied.

I examined the bottle again. My vision may not be as good as hindsight, but if it looks like a duck and quacks like one, it’s a damn duck.

It’s not???

No. What you have there is liquid gold. The screaming headliner in my fajita recipe.

I smiled big.So where are the opening acts?

Do you think I’d give it all up that easily? I’m not that kind of guy.

I’d been taking a deep sip from my cup when his text had come in, and I almost sprayed it all over my desk. After I had finished coughing, I started to laugh, and it took me a while to stop. It felt good.

Thank you.My fingers stilled, and I inhaled a heavy dose of air. It was time to suck it up and apologize.I’m the one who should be sorry, Chase. I had no right to go ballistic on you. You were just trying to do something nice.

I stared at the screen, drumming my fingers on the desk, waiting for a response.

Apology accepted.

I set the phone aside and downed the rest of my coffee before getting to work. I scheduled a few meetings between candidates and their respective new offices. I billed clients and checked in with prospective hires. I had put in a solid four hours before I heard theding.

What time can I pick you up on Saturday?

I flattened my lips together. Saturday? Was there something going on I didn’t know about?

To take you out to dinner, he followed up a few minutes later.

Was he still stuck on that? It’d come back to me earlier, the memory of Chase tricking me into saying yes, but I was planning on him not holding me to it.

Your methods were devious. It wasn’t fair to ask me during my post-orgasmic coma.

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