Page 53 of Mr. Flirt

I sat back in my office chair and stared at the glass wall overlooking my two paralegals’ workstations. It was Sunday, and they obviously didn’t need to be here.

And did I?

The thought of spending the day with Shep ate at every thought I had. I’d never been good at relationships. They weren’t a priority. They couldn’t be one for so long that I forgot that some people actually liked having a second half.

But then I hopped right into a profession that demonstrated the ugly side of getting emotionally and financially entangled with another human being.

I shivered and hugged myself, running my hands up and down my upper arms to make the chill go away.

Yet, it was nice having someone to laugh with over the weekend and trade glances over the dinner table while sharing inside jokes that his friends and family weren’t privy to, and just being held...

I let out a sigh and chuckled, shaking my head.

“Don’t let Cupid fool ya,” I muttered to myself, pushing away from my desk. “He’s fun now, but he’s also the man who showed up to a dating event impersonating someone else.”

One of my coworkers, Karlie, popped her head into my office and smiled. “I thought I heard the elevator earlier.”

“You know how it goes.”

She smiled and let out a sigh. “Especially when you’re a woman hoping to break through the barriers and nab partner at the firm.”

I chuckled and nodded, knowing I’d been an associate for far too long with the money I brought into the firm. It was an unspoken truth that no matter how hard we worked, how many hours we billed, and how many cases we won, we still had to work ten times harder than many of our male counterparts to gain the same promotions and recognition. Sometimes, it felt like stepping back into a time warp with the good ol’ boys club. When I was in law school, I’d roll my eyes at such notions, and then I stepped into the real world. There were days when I dreamed of leaving it all behind and opening up my own firm, but that came with many pitfalls too.

“Did I hear you say something about a dating event and an impersonation?” Karlie stepped into my office. “Please tell me I did so I don’t feel so bad about my own dating life.”

I chuckled and nodded. “I’m glad to help in that area. If you’re ever feeling low about things, just knock on my door.”

“So, you tried one of those dating events?”

I nodded slowly. “I did, and it was a disaster. I could have been disbarred had I gotten my hands on the guy.”

Karlie chuckled. “Ah, good times. Always a good day in Seattle when you feel like strangling a potential suitor.”

“Right?” I grinned. “And would you like to hear the best part? Or maybe it’s the worst part.”

She nodded eagerly. “Let me have it.”

“I ran into him again thanks to my sister, and the next thing I know, I’m agreeing to coffee.” I shook my head. “It’s like I should already be setting aside a retainer for your services.”

Karlie chuckled. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. You could represent yourself in the divorce.”

I laughed and stood, reaching for my purse. “Are we doomed? Did this profession doom us to a fate worse than divorce?”

“Have you already had coffee with the guy?” she asked.

“Yes, and I’ve even met his sister.” I sounded absolutely defeated. “He’s a great guy apart from all the red flags waving around in front of me.”

She leaned against the door as I strapped my purse over my shoulder. “So what? He pretended to be someone else at a matchmaking event? I wish I had enough guts to do that.”

I snickered. “I like your way of thinking.”

“Calling it an early Sunday night?” she teased.

“I’m headed to my house for dinner with him.”

“Oh, wow. This is very unusual for you.”

“It is, and I’m sure this time next month, I’ll be regretting everything, but we’re keeping it casual.”

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