Page 5 of Detective Daddy Next Door

I smile too, waiting for her to say more. I wait for her to mention anything resembling me making partner, but she doesn't. I'll have to be patient. I've been patient for years, but a little more patience won't hurt.

"I'll get back to work," I announce.

She looks up as if she's forgotten I've been sitting in front of her all this while. "Oh, yes. Please do. Good job."

"Thank you," I say as I make for the door.

A little more patience is what I need.

At lunchtime, Daisy and I go to our favorite place, a bistro just three doors down the street. It's a place where they serve the most delicious rice, chicken, and salad.

"What are you having?" Daisy asks as we settle down in our favorite spot, a booth beside a window where we watch people go by as we eat.

I squirm as I open my mouth to answer.

"Rice, chicken, and greens," we say in unison, and both laugh.

She shakes her head and her thick dark hair swishes from side to side. "You're like a pregnant woman. You eat the same thing every afternoon. I won't be surprised if you do turn out to be pregnant."

I laugh as the waiter comes over to get our order.

"Pregnant? I haven't…" I start to say, but trail off. I'm about to say I haven't been with a man for a while now, but that's not true. I was just with a man last week. A man who turned my world upside down. A man who handled my body as if he'd known me for years. Sadly, as good as it felt, he's a man I never want to see again. Men always think women are the emotional sex. They think just because you have sex with them that you automatically want a relationship. What a joke. He talked to me as though he knew for sure that I wanted to trap him. I don't even know his last name, or what he does for a living, or where he's from, but he already concluded I wanted more from him. Anyway, I'm glad he's gone for good with his egotistical self.

The waiter comes back with our order and places our plates in front of us.

"Please, let me know if you need anything else," she says and leaves.

"So, what is Micha saying about your promotion to partner?"

I take a forkful of rice. "Nothing."

"She's still not bringing it up?"

"No. But I'm hoping it's soon. I've given so much of myself to the firm. Going on seven years now. I know it happens in most firms after ten years, but we don't follow the rules in Maestro firm," I say, putting the forkful of rice in my mouth.

"I hear Fern is looking to become a partner, too."

"I heard that as well, but she's only been with the firm for four years."

Fern is a colleague I don't really get along with, and I'm thankful we don't share an office. I'm glad I share an office with Daisy, who is the sweetest person I have ever met. She has the kindest brown eyes, and her face is almost always spread in a smile.

Daisy came to Long Beach just a year ago from Philadelphia with a law degree. Micha hired her, and we've been friends since then. Sometimes she hangs out with me and Ava, my best friend. I met Ava about a year ago at a conference that was held in San Francisco. We chatted and found out we both live in Long Beach. We exchanged numbers and met up with each other when we got back to town. And like they say, the rest is history.

"Fern doesn't deserve it. You do way more than she does. You just got us a high-profile client. How many high-profile clients has she brought in?"

I tilt my head. "Well, to be fair to her, she brought the upcoming artist, Ezra."

"That's it. And Ezra isn't even an A-list artist."

"He's just starting out. He'll get there," I respond.

"The fact remains that you’ve done more for the company than she has."

I laugh and nod. This is why I love her. She's so good for my ego.

"Micha had better seriously consider making you a partner before another firm snatches you up."

I laugh again and think about it. If I found a better offer, would I leave?

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