Meet Cute(24)

When I return to the office, I have a list of phone calls a mile long. One stands out among them because it’s not a client. Linda Thrasher left a message requesting a call back regarding Emme Hughes. I’m unsurprised the aunt has tracked me down.

Now I’ll have both sides of the story, so I can form an impartial opinion. Currently I don’t have many warm feelings for Daxton, and I would prefer not to let my own biases influence our future interactions.

So I call her back and agree to review some paperwork she has regarding her niece’s trust, and some concerns she has about Emme’s brother still being the legal guardian. If nothing else, it should help inform the case, one way or the other.





Chapter Seven





The Middle Woman


Kailyn



It’s not even noon and already my day has gone to shit. Half an hour ago I received a call from Emme’s school requesting my immediate presence thanks to my new role as conservator.

While I anticipated being involved in any financial decisions on account of the trust, I certainly hadn’t considered that I might be called in to deal with a fight. One that Emme apparently started with a boy in the middle of the cafeteria.

I’m currently speaking with the school principal, attempting to explain my relationship to Emme, when an irritated voice comes from behind me. “What’re you doing here?”

I turn to find Daxton standing in the middle of the office, gaze homed in on me and the principal, Mr. Proctor. Awesome. This situation has gone from bad to worse. I remind myself that dealing with this is going to get me partner, and when I get back to the office, I’m going to make sure Beverly agrees to the pro bono cases, no more “we’ll talk about it” brush-offs. This shit was not in my job description.

“The school is legally obligated to call me,” I reply evenly. He should already know this, so his irritation is unwarranted.

“Why didn’t you call to tell me you’d be here?” he demands, completely ignoring Mr. Proctor. I’m annoyed that his focus is on me, and not the real issue, which is Emme’s potential suspension.

“I did. I left a message at your office, and your assistant informed me you were already on your way.” I grace Mr. Proctor with a polite smile—his name is so unfortunate, much like his suit. “Can you give us a moment, please?” I grab Daxton by the elbow and guide him toward the front entrance, where there will be less ears and eyes should he decide to raise his voice again.

“We don’t need a moment. I need to see Emme. Where is she? I want to know what happened.”

“Your aunt is with Emme. We can go and get her now,” Mr. Proctor says.

“What? Why the hell is Linda with Emme?”

Jesus. He’s coming completely unglued.

Mr. Proctor adjusts his glasses and glances from me to Dax and back again. “She was upset and we felt it better she not be left alone.”

“Where are they? I want to see my sister.”

I dig my nails into his arm in warning, hoping he can feel the bite through the layers of what feels like a very expensive cashmere and silk suit. “I’d like to speak with you. Privately for a moment before that happens.”

“Would you like to use my office?” Mr. Proctor runs his hand over his tie uneasily.

“That would be lovely.”

Daxton’s eyes flash, but he follows me into the office. As soon as the door closes, he’s practically in my face. “What the hell are you doing?”

I put a hand on his chest to prevent him from getting any closer. I’m irritated that I notice how firm his pec is under my palm. “You know, generally when a man is close enough that I feel his breath on my face, he’s looking to rip my clothes off, not my head.” Why did I just say that? I push him back a step and remind myself to remain professional. And maybe it would be better not to antagonize a frustrated man. “And since we’re not at that place in our relationship, I’m going to need to set a few ground rules. First of all, do not get up in my space and use your size to intimidate me. It’s beneath you and absolutely unnecessary. I’m not the enemy here. Secondly, get a handle on your damn self. You have absolutely no reason to be irritated with me, since I’ve done nothing wrong, so why don’t you tell me why your first instinct is to bite my damn head off?”

“I wasn’t trying to…” He blinks a few times, smoothing a hand down the front of his suit. It’s such a nervous man-tell. He straightens, maybe realizing his behavior is a problem. “I thought you were dealing with the trust. Emme’s school issues are my problem, not yours.”

He tries to get around me, but I cross my arms over my chest and block his way to the door. “You think I’m happy about this? That I want to be here, apparently acting as your scapegoat because you can’t handle yourself or a thirteen-year-old?” Okay, maybe the last part was pushing it a step too far.

He takes a step closer, getting all up in my face. Again.

“You do not want to manhandle me. I’m wearing stilettos, and they can cause some damage to parts you may be fond of.”

“I need to see my sister and you’re preventing that. Aren’t you supposed to be protecting her? Instead you’re in here lecturing me.”

I exhale a long, slow breath and resist the urge to find out if my heel will break through the leather on his shiny black shoe. “Linda is familiar to Emme and she works here. It’s in her best interest to be with your sister in a crisis situation. You may not like it, but it’s the reality. Acting like a complete asshole isn’t going to help your case. Use your head, Daxton. If you walk in confrontational, you’re making Linda’s case for her. Is that what you want to do?”