Page 65 of Legal

I picked up my head. Seriously? He was very attractive; I couldn’t deny that. He’d also be rolling in money soon, if that type of thing mattered to me. Which it didn’t. I could make my own. He was in his late twenties, which automatically ruled him out, but it wouldn’t have changed anything if he were late thirties. It was flattering, but no.

“No, thank you,” I said. “I’m seeing someone.” Even though Kurt and I were no longer working together, I still had to keep it professional. ‘Seeing someone’ sounded like the most reasonable reason for a date rejection.

“Goes to show that I can’t win at everything.”

“Yes, well, have a nice evening, Mr. Reed.”

He smiled. “Likewise, Ms. Hudson. You know where to find me should you change your mind.”

No chance in hell, Kurt.

I went back to my car, relieved to be done for the day. It was almost five, and before I knew it, Chase would be over. I sat in the seat, thrumming my fingers on the wheel. I was contemplating the best route to drive home, considering rush hour on a Friday night.

I dug around in my purse for some lip balm and pulled out the pink key chain. I’d forgotten to show it to Chase. I saw it at one of the mall kiosks yesterday and bought it without a second thought. It was perfect, a pink guitar that played “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Very unusual and very cool. Of course, Hazel had instantly come to mind, not that she’d have any use for a keychain at her age. Perry had raised her eyebrows at that one—me buying something for one of Chase’s kids—but she was too busy telling me I’d freaking lost it because of the clothes to say much about it.

As I pondered between the freeway and side streets, I became very aware how close I was to Chase’s place. I twirled the key chain between my fingers. He was right on my way home if I took that direction. Which I probably should, since it’d be the least congested.

It couldn’t hurt just to pass by and check if his car was out front. I really wouldn’t mind taking a peek at that itinerary; plus, we were scheduled to meet soon enough anyway. I sent him a quick text to warn him. I wasn’t a fan of the pop-ins.

I was driving down Oakland ten minutes later, spotting the Ford in the driveway. I pulled over to the curb and parked, checking my phone. No response yet.

I walked up to the door and rang the doorbell, my butterflies having a field day. This was so unlike me, coming over when I knew there could be others around. No big deal, though. We’re just a couple of friends. Until six o’clock. Then we were fuck buddies.

“Whatever you’re selling, I’m buying.”

A guy stood in the doorway, hair dripping into his bloodshot eyes. I didn’t recognize him; it wasn’t one of his roommates. I guess I did look a little salesy in my suit and heels.

“Is Chase here?”

He held the door open, and I stepped inside. The air was thick with smoke, the acrid stench sticking all over me. Great. I glanced around and saw two guys and a girl passed out on the grimy-looking couch; her shirt pulled halfway off. A bottle of Jack was wedged into the arm and leaking onto the carpet. Really? The weekend had barely started.

He lit up a joint and handed it to me. I started to regret coming there. I didn’t have time for this shit. I shook my head, ready to leave when Trevor sauntered into the room, zeroing in on me. He looked even worse, an over-baked weed brownie. His smell filled my nose in a room that was already oversaturated.

“Hey, I know you. You’re the chick from the park.”

“Yes, hi. Can you get Chase, please?”

I’d been in that house before for a quickie session, but it was dark, and Chase’s hard cock was a major distracter. I hadn’t paid much attention to the surroundings. But being there now was a bucket of ice water in the face, followed by a jagged brick. It threw a huge amplifier over our differences. This was how many young twenty-somethings acted until they got their shit together, and I was not in that place anymore.

“He’s not here.”

“What? Yes, he is. His car’s out front.”Do not piss me off, Trevor.

“Nope. Grabbed his guitar and took off in Ric’s. In a hurry to see someone and couldn’t take the time to fill up his car. With gas.”

Guitar? His speech was slow, and it annoyed the hell out of me. I gritted my teeth. “No, that can’t be right. He’s meeting me soon.”

Another kid walked in, hands in his front pockets. “Hey, Ric. Where’d Chase go? She don’t believe me.”

Ric shrugged. “Ran off to meet some young chick or something.”

Trevor turned to me and waved his hand. “There ya go.” I frowned. No, that didn’t even make a bit of sense. “If you ask me, he made a mistake.” His breath was stinking up my personal space. I swiveled toward the door, but he caught my wrist. “You don’t have to leave. Join the party.” He locked both his arms on either side of my head, boxing me against the wall. “We can play naughty babysitter.”

I pushed aside my frantic heartbeat and looked him in the eye. “Put your fucking arms down. Now.”

A slow smile spread across his face, and he lowered them. “A firecracker.”

I hightailed it out of there, and when I made it back to my car, I let out an enormous breath. I really should consider taking some self-defense classes. That could have turned out much differently.

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