Page 16 of Bishop

Pulling up the driveway, I parked and took a super deep breath before swinging my leg over the bike and grabbing up the roses. The floral scent enveloped me and the second I turned around, I found Emmy was walking from around the side of the house.

Her face had a deep frown etched into her features and it only seemed to deepen as I approached.

“Evening Emmy…”

Slowly, a smirk tugged at my lips and I handed her the pink roses, our fingertips brushing slightly, sending a jolt to my gut.

Emmy’s face remained in a frown. “What are you doing here?”

I shrugged at her question. “Pretty obvious.”

Her head cocked to the side slightly and I knew she was trying to figure out how I’d known where to find her. “No, it’s not…”

Finally, I noticed that we had an audience. Her sisters and her mother and a few other people were trying to figure out who I was. I could smell the fragrant aroma of food in the air and the sizzle of a grill had hit my ears as well.

“Oh, y’all got some crawfish, huh…mind if I join y’all?”

Her mom stepped forward, and I saw the resemblance immediately. “Who are you again?”

“Momma,” Emmy turned to her mother. “This is an…old classmate of mine. Zane Bishop.”

Her mother looked me up and down and then finally offered me a smile. “Well come on and get a plate. We’ve got plenty. Emmy, give me these, I’ll put them in some water.”

“We’ll be around the back in a minute mama,” she replied, handing the roses over.

When everyone had disappeared, Emerald whipped around, fire burning in her eyes.

“Zane Bishop what in the fuck are you trying to pull?” She snapped.

Still grinning, I gave her a response that had her shaking. “Only thing I’m trying to pull are your panties to the side.”

“Excuse me?”

I leaned in and licked at my lips. “Emerald, don’t pretend you didn’t hear me. Or I’ll be forced to say it again.”

She took a step back. “You need to go.”

“Your mother invited me to stay,” I shrugged. “And by the way, I texted you several times.”

“I saw…”

She was becoming so annoyed with me; I could tell she was about to lose her shit. “So why didn’t you reply?”

“Mr. Bishop…”

I stopped her. “Zane. Call me that, I like the way you say my name.”

Emmy pinched at the bridge of her nose. “First of all, you’re a client. And it’s after office hours, so that’s why I didn’t reply. Secondly, I’m not required to jump because you say so.”

“Well,” I came in just a little closer. “I’m sure you know by now the D.A. dropped those charges.”

“And how did you do that, by the way?” She sighed.

“You don’t need to know,” I licked my lips and watched as she followed my tongue. “But now, you’re no longer my attorney. Which means I can get as unprofessional with you as I want.”

I could tell my words had her reeling, and the tension between us had become thick as syrup. There was nowhere to run and she looked like she was either about to kiss me or slap me. I was down for either one.

“Y’all better come on for all the crawfish gone,” Summer hollered over to us before disappearing again.

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