Page 36 of Romancing the Grump
“Franklin Mercer,” I say through a huge smile. “It is so good to hear your voice.”
“Same. How long has it been? You look great.”
“Thanks. You too. How’s Boston?”
“Freezing. How’s your jerk of a boss? You need me to come down there and beat him up?”
“Um, not my boss anymore, actually,” I say. “I started a new job a couple of weeks ago.”
“Please tell me you got him fired in the process,” Franklin says, his expression stern.
I glance over at Nathan, who is sitting on the bed staring at his phone, likely trying to look preoccupied, but his body is perfectly still, so I’m sure he’s listening.
It’s a little weird to have this conversation in front of him, but at this point, it would feel more weird to just leave, so what choice do I have? And honestly, if Nathan asked me about my former boss, I’d tell him.
“Not fired, unfortunately. I filed a complaint with HR, and they said they would look into it, but if anything happened, it wasn’t public. I got the sense no one was particularly interested in ruining the reputation of a well-respected member of the community.”
Franklin frowns. “I’m sorry, Summer. That’s truly awful.”
I shrug. “It was only ever his words. You know that’s harder to prove.”
“Yeah, especially when you’re a part of the good old boys’ club.”
“Oh, he’s definitely a part of that club. But good riddance, and now I’m working somewhere much better.”
“Anywhere is lucky to have you,” Franklin says. “Where did you end up?”
“Nowhere you would ever guess,” I say, glancing at Nathan. “I’m working for the Appies hockey team.”
Franklin smiles wide. “For real? I watch their stuff on TikTok all the time.”
“For real. I started a few weeks ago.”
“You know what?” Franklin’s voice takes on a teasing lilt. “This feels like a better fit. I always thought you were too soft for criminal law.”
Across the room, Nathan shifts and grunts.
“Franklin Mercer, you stop it right now. You’re just bitter I beat you in mock trial.”
His smile turns genuine. “I’d have been bitter had I lost to anyone but you. Now, what can I do for you? You said you needed a favor?”
I give Franklin a quick rundown of Blake’s situation and his family’s frustration with the court-appointed attorney, filling in the details as best I can from what Nathan told me.
“So, who is this kid again?” Franklin asks. “His last name is Sanders?”
I nod. “He’s the little brother of one of the Appies. Nathan Sanders.”
Franklin looks up from the notes he’s been scribbling for the last few minutes. “The defender? Crazy tall. Man bun? Permanent frown?”
I press my lips together to keep from smiling at Franklin’s astute description of Nathan. “I didn’t know you were such a fan.”
“Are you kidding? I love the Appies. I can’t believe you actuallyknowNathan Sanders. Is he as hot and broody in real life?”
I look past the phone to Nathan, who is frozen in place, looking incredibly uncomfortable. I debate whether I should flip my camera around and let Franklin say hello himself, but then he’d see that we’re very obviously in a hotel room together, which would trigger a round of questions I’m not prepared to answer. Especially not with Nathan listening.
“I plead the fifth on hotness,” I say, glancing over to see his reaction, “but he’s pretty broody. And he has this weird thing about parking spaces.”
Nathan looks up and rolls his eyes, his mouth lifting in analmost-grin.
