Page 26 of Ask for Moore

My cheeks heated at her question. Ryland's lips parted, but before he answered, she held her hand up to stop him. “Never mind, I don't need to know the details about your relationship. Is it safe to assume that neither of you would like to relinquish this case?”

“That's correct,” I confirmed.

“Then I suggest you speak with your respective clients to see how they feel about the situation. If they are comfortable with you erecting an ethical wall between your professional and personal lives, we may proceed as planned. I will give you until tomorrow to get your ducks in a row.”

“Thank you, your honor,” we replied in unison.

She waved us back toward our tables, and we took our seats.

“This case is adjourned until nine o’clock tomorrow morning.”

As the judge banged her gavel, Mr. Burkhart leaned close and asked, “What in the hell is going on?”

“Let’s go find a conference room so that we may discuss a recent development in the case.” I stood and grabbed my things off the table. “There should be one available down the hall.”

“I hope this means Sanderson was able to talk some sense into his friends on the commission,” he muttered as he followed me out of the courtroom.

The high I’d gotten from kissing Ryland dissipated as I considered the repercussions I would face if this conversation went badly. I was starting to second-guess myself, but then I saw Ryland duck into the conference room where we’d kissed so he could talk to his client and took comfort in knowing that we were kind of doing this together. Just separately.

As soon as I was behind closed doors with Mr. Burkhart, I turned to him and said, “I need to inform you of a potential conflict of interest in your case.”

His cheeks turned ruddy. “What kind of conflict?”

“Um…” I bit my bottom lip. “I have become personally involved with the opposing counsel.”

His head jerked back as his mouth fell open. “You and Ryland Moore are a thing?”

I struggled to find a polite way to put it. “Yes, although our relationship hasn’t progressed very far yet. The judge has agreed that we can move forward with an ethical wall between our personal and private lives, but I would understand if you’re not comfortable with that. I can put a hold on things with Ryland.” I was really, really hoping I didn’t have to go that route…or the one I was about to suggest. “Or I could inform Mr. Arnoult that you require different counsel.”

“Hmm, I’m not sure that’s our best play here.” I remained silent as my client paced the length of the conference room, giving him time to decide how he wanted to proceed. Finally, he snapped his fingers and smirked at me. “You’re still on my side, right? That’s what the ethical wall mumbo jumbo is all about, protecting my interests?”

I nodded. “Yes, sir. If you choose to keep me on the case, I will continue to do everything in my power to get the outcome you’re hoping for.”

“Then carry on with whatever you’re doing with him. That lawyer's connections to the political leaders in this backwater place are even stronger than Sanderson’s. You might have found an even better way to get me the approval I need for my subdivision.” His gaze drifted down my body, and I barely held back a shudder of revulsion. “Good job using everything you’ve got to win this thing for me.”

That wasn’t what I had meant by “everything in my power” and was the exact opposite of how an ethical wall worked, but I was too repulsed to argue. At least I’d gotten what I wanted, even if it was for all the wrong reasons.

13

Ryland

My conversation with Marty had gone exactly as I’d expected. He didn’t care if I was dating opposing counsel as long as I did my job. He’d even wished me the best of luck with her and promised to come back up to Mooreville for the wedding if things worked out for us. And he had laughed when I told him that he was jumping on the gun since I hadn’t even taken Waverly out on our first date yet.

I was mulling over his confidence that this thing between Waverly and me could turn into something serious when she came out of the conference room where she’d been talking to her client. I wasn’t sure what the look Burkhart shot my way meant, but my shoulders slumped in relief when she smiled after he walked away. “It looks as though the ethical wall plan is a go.”

“Thank fuck.” I interlaced our fingers and practically dragged her to the elevator. It was awkward as hell riding down with both of our clients, and I let them exit before us so we could have some privacy as I walked Waverly out to her car.

It turned out that she had parked next to mine, and I fought the urge to press her against my vehicle as we stood between them. “Now that I have everyone’s blessing, I want to take you out on a date.”

“I’d like that, but I think technically, we already had one when we went to the sports bar. We had dinner and drinks, you paid, and then you walked me home.” She licked her lips. “I could go for one again if you wanted to go back there tonight.”

“I’m always up for a pub burger”—I stroked my thumb over her damp bottom lip—“but I was thinking we should go somewhere a little nicer for our first official date.”

“Well, now.” Happiness shone from her blue eyes. “Who am I to argue with that logic?”

“If anyone could, it would be you,” I teased.

She winked at me. “And successfully, too, if I wanted.”

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