Page 1 of Silver Fake

CHAPTER1

Lisa

“Boy,you sure got a lot of balloons for someone you hate.”

Denise is grinning from ear to ear, and even on this video call, I can see the devious twinkle in her eye.

I press the button to flip the camera around so she can see my face.

"The balloons came in a pack," I explain with a laugh. "And can we focus, please? I can't tell if this banner looks straight." I turn the camera back around.

"The banner looks perfect. " Denise takes a bite of her sandwich. "Mr. Grizzly is going to love it."

"He'd better love it," I snort, adjusting the last balloon. "This party is costing the firm a small fortune."

Not to mention my lunch break.

I glance around the expansive banquet hall of the La Rubia Hotel. Nobody has ever thrown me a surprise party. And if they did, it wouldn’t be in a place this nice.

Large, ornate chandeliers hang from the ceiling. The tables are draped in crisp white linens and adorned with elegant floral centerpieces. A grand piano sits on a small stage in front of floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a breathtaking view of the city skyline.

It’s honestly a bit over the top. But when you work for the most successful law firm in Houston, money gets thrown around after a win as big as the one my boss just had.

"And I don't hate him." I fiddle with the banner one last time, then step back to admire my handiwork. "He's not even a bad guy. He's just...grumpy."

I've been John Barton's legal secretary for a year and a half now, ever since he started at Carter & Folkes. His brilliance in the courtroom is undeniable, but he's a far cry from my last boss, who retired with all the fanfare of a beloved patriarch.

I've always considered myself a people person. I love connecting with the attorneys I work for, understanding their needs, and working to meet those needs. But despite my best efforts, there's a cool distance in John's demeanor that I can't seem to penetrate. It's why I gave him the nickname Mr. Grizzly.

One night, after too many glasses of wine, I made the mistake of telling Denise that I thought John was handsome.

Needless to say, she's been teasing me ever since.

Denise wiggles her eyebrows at me. "He's just grumpy because he has a crush on you."

I roll my eyes. "My boss does not have a crush on me." I run my fingers through my hair to put it into a ponytail.

“Yikes,” Denise frowns. “What happened to your hand?”

I hold up my hand to the camera.

“Oh, this? I was opening some decorations and accidentally sliced my palm with a box cutter. I promise it's not as bad as it looks. The hotel just didn't have any smaller bandages in their first aid kit."

Denise eyes my hand skeptically. "Do you think it's going to ruin our plans for the weekend? I love going to the beach, but I would hate for you to be in pain."

"Nah, we'll just have to drink more wine," I tease. "No little cut is going to stop me. The beach is happening, bandage or not."

"That's the spirit! What time are you heading this way?”

“As soon I get off work. My suitcase is already in my car, so I’m heading straight there after I leave the office.”

Denise frowns. “You’re not staying for the party?”

I look around the ballroom and sigh. “I don't think so. Mr. Grizzly isn't much of a surprise party fan. I don’t want to be here if he’s going to be his usual grumpy self after I put in so much work to do all this for him.”

"As long as you're sure." Her eyes light up suddenly as she changes the subject. “Did I mention I saw Jessica Rose at H-E-B the other day?”

I groan internally.

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