Starting Now (Blossom Street #9)(44)

Robin had joined the gym, hoping to lose a few pounds and make herself as attractive as possible. She thanked Libby for that. Without her fellow attorney spurring her on, Robin would have dropped out long ago. When they first started exercising together they’d been casual friends. Gradually Robin had grown closer to Libby, but not so much that she felt comfortable sharing her feelings about the judge. Still, she could tell Libby had guessed there was a man behind Robin’s interest in losing weight.

Over the last two months, Robin had come to think of Libby as a close friend. Friend enough that she’d been willing to help Libby find employment. It’d been grossly unfair for Libby to be laid off in the first place. Despite the generous severance package, being unemployed had been hard on Libby in a number of different ways. Her ego had been badly bruised—and after so many months without work, her confidence was wounded, too.

Robin had sympathized and wanted to help. She saw much of herself in Libby. Both were hardworking, determined, goal-oriented, and focused. Robin couldn’t imagine what she’d do if she were to lose her job. No doubt, like Libby, she’d assume she’d find another one without a problem. But would she?

Back in her office after the hearing, Robin sat down at her desk and braced her head in her hands. Embarrassing as it was, she felt she needed to connect with Alice Rabe and apologize for bringing Libby to her attention. She’d given Libby a glowing personal recommendation and apparently Roy had as well. By showing up late, Libby had made not only herself look irresponsible, but Robin, too.

Reluctantly she reached for her phone and was connected with the deputy district attorney in short order.

“I take it the interview with Elizabeth Morgan didn’t go well.”

Alice snorted.

So it’d been that bad.

“That’s putting it mildly. Your friend,” Alice said with heavy emphasis placed on the word friend, “arrived in jeans.”

Robin squeezed her eyes closed. Could this get any worse? “Although this isn’t an excuse, I believe she was at the hospital.”

“I didn’t give her a chance to explain. To her credit she did apologize.”

Alice could be brusque, but Robin knew her to be fair.

“Not only did she arrive almost fifteen minutes late but she seemed completely unprepared for the interview, flustered, unfocused, and overly nervous.”

“Let me assure you that Libby isn’t normally like that.”

“So you’ve talked to her?”

“I have,” Robin admitted.

Alice hesitated. “You said she was at the hospital?”

Robin regretted mentioning it. “It wasn’t an emergency … she volunteers there.”

“Oh?” This appeared to interest the deputy district attorney.

Robin squared her shoulders as she realized she might as well say it. “Libby is generous and caring.”

“What does she do at the hospital?”

Robin tucked her arm around her middle. “She rocks the newborns.”

“That was why she was late?”

“Apparently they got terribly busy this morning.” Talk about weak excuses.

“So she didn’t have time to change her clothes?”

“Apparently not.” She wanted to ask Alice how Libby’s résumé read. Robin had gone over it herself, helped Libby fine-tune it, hoping a fresh pair of eyes would help.

“It goes without saying that I won’t be hiring your friend.”

“I understand,” Robin murmured, and then because she felt obligated, she added, “I wanted to call and apologize. I feel terrible that this happened.”

“It isn’t your fault,” Alice was kind enough to say. “Anyway, I appreciate the call,” she continued, “but I believe I’ve already made my choice.”

“I understand perfectly.” Robin disconnected the line and then exhaled deeply.

A couple of days later Robin planned to work late, like she did most nights. It was Friday and she didn’t have a single plan. That said a lot about her life—her job was her life. Seeing what had happened to Libby made Robin decide she was in no frame of mind to remain at the office. Grabbing her briefcase, she headed out of the courthouse. Her pace was hurried, although she didn’t have anyplace special to go or anyone to meet.

She was heading toward the parking lot when she heard someone call her name. When she turned to see who it might be, she saw Roy … Judge Bollinger. Instantly she felt her pulse accelerate. Her mouth went dry.

“Robin, my goodness, you move like a speed walker.” He was breathless and his round face appeared flushed.

“Sorry, I didn’t realize you were behind me.” If she had she would have slowed to a snail’s pace. They hadn’t spoken in several days and she’d despaired that they ever would again.

“I understand the interviews were held the other day for the position I mentioned. How did your friend do?”

Robin immediately looked down. “Not well, I’m afraid.” When she glanced up again she found that his eyes had warmed with sympathy.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“I am, too.” Thankfully he didn’t know the details, and she wasn’t about to tell him.

“I know you’ve probably got plans this evening—”