Page 6 of Linc
“You sound like this is a done deal, like there aren’t any other options.”She gives a nervous laugh.
“I’m not a man who likes to waste time.I like results when I see something I want.When I saw you this afternoon and then again tonight, I knew we’d be perfect for each other.”
“Wow, okay um…” She brings her hand up to her forehead and starts to rub it close to her hairline.It’s a nervous tick she has and a dead giveaway that she needs more reassurance.
Being an attorney, you have to be able to read the people you select to be on a jury if you have any chance at winning.Watching a person and figuring them out has taken me years to learn and perfect but my team and I are really good at reading people and their signals.
“Give me your number and I’ll call you later on today,” I say and pick up her phone from the table.
“Are you always so bossy or is that an attorney thing?”She teases and I think we’re going to fit together like perfect puzzle pieces.
“It’s amething,” I answer and plug my number into her phone then send myself a text.
I drop some cash on the table and reach for her hand to help her out of the booth.A tingle flushes up my wrist as I lead her out and onto the sidewalk.
“Did you drive?”I ask as we cross the street.
“No, I rode with Saylor.I can grab an Uber or cab,” she says then starts to look up and down the street.
“Not a chance in hell,” I tell her.This will also give me a chance to see where she lives and not have to use the firm’s PI to get me the information.
Tugging her back in front of the bar across the street, I hand the valet my ticket as we wait on the curb for them to bring my car over to us.
“There’s someone following us,” Everly leans in whispering close to my ear, as the smell of vanilla invades my nose.I have to catch myself to not sniff too loudly as to alert her.
I follow her line of sight and see who she’s talking about.
Dale.
Now this is going to be interesting to explain.
“It’s his job to follow,” I say and she tears her eyes away from Dale to me.She looks utterly confused and it makes me chuckle.“He’s with me.Handling high profile cases sometimes means that I’m not the most liked person in America.”
“Oh.”Not only is she a smart woman but a very observant one at that.At least she’s aware of her surroundings.
“It’s just a precaution, nothing to worry about.”I wave it off, hoping she’s not too uncomfortable having someone follow us around, but I can’t take the chance that a psycho family member doesn’t come out of the woodwork to attack me for doing my job.She nods and I can tell she wants to ask more, but thankfully the valet rolls up with my car.
“This is your car?!?”Everly’s shocked tone makes me glad I picked the Bugatti tonight.
“She’s a beauty, isn’t she?”
I hold the door and assist her in the car, almost catching a glimpse of her upper thigh.A groan leaves me as I close the door, thinking about what she has on under that white dress of hers.
The drive over to her apartment is a quiet one.I’m not sure what to think as she seems to have built walls all around her.I want to reach over and snatch her hand but I’m not sure that’s the right move.
All too soon we pull up to her apartment complex but neither of us make a move.Finally, after several long moments, Everly shifts her tiny body towards me.
“I had a nice time tonight Lincoln.Thank you for the coffee and chat.”
Why does she sound like this is the last time we’re ever going to see each other again?Surely, I didn’t blow it that bad.We were just talking about making weekend plans, so what changed?
She moves to find the handle to the door but I stop her with my hand on her exposed thigh.
“What just happened?I thought we both had a great night?”I question.
“We did, I did.”
“Then what is it?Why do you sound like you’re about to block me from your phone?”Not like that would stop me from getting in contact with her.
