Page 114 of Only Fate

When the server returns, we order two mimosas.

As soon as I take my first sip, I hear someone yell my name.

I lift my gaze to find Valeria walking toward us.

“I thought that was you!”

Adrian is right on her heels.

I want to sink into my chair and disappear.

“My apologies for the other night,” Valeria says, joining us. “To make it up to you, lunch is my treat.” She quickly pulls out a chair and sits between Lainey and me without waiting for an answer.

Adrian rudely does the same.

I smile at Valeria and then glare at Adrian.

Lainey extends her hand to Valeria. “I’m Lainey.” Her eyes drift to Adrian, a smile gracing her lips. “It’s nice seeing you again.” Her tone isn’t flirtatious. It’s more friendly.

I motion between them. “You two know each other?”

“Adrian posted a paralegal ad,” Lainey explains. “I interviewed with him before I did you. He didn’t hire me, but said I’d make a better fit working for you. I thought he was blowing me off because he wasn’t interested in hiring me. As it so happens, you and I were a better match.”

My gaze travels to Adrian. “You did that?”

He scratches his cheek and nods. “Terrance put out the ad, thinking maybe we’d need another paralegal with me joining thefirm. We already had one, so you needed her more than we did.”

Valeria clasps her hands together. “Aw, how sweet.”

“Definitely sweet,” Lainey agrees. She motions between Adrian and me like I did with them moments ago. “I didn’t know you two had a little thing going on.”

A little thing?

Adrian chuckles at her comment.

“We most definitely do not have athing,” I argue.

“We most definitelydohave a thing,” Adrian corrects, leaning back in his chair and smiling innocently. “She’s keeping it from you to stay professional, her being your boss and all.”

I’m going to kill him.

Though I’m not too proud to admitinternallythat it was nice of him to send Lainey to me. But as a certified grudge holder, I’d appreciate it if he continued behaving badly, not doing good deeds like that.

Tell me my favorite reality show is trash.

Hide my Oreos.

Don’t be sweet.

“A rival romance,” Lainey says, perking up in her chair. “I’ve seen so many rom-coms about this. Let me tell you, they always end in a happily ever after.”

My mimosa threatens its way up.

Valeria grins from ear to ear.

When the server comes to take their drink order, I ask for another mimosa. Valeria does the same, and Adrian sticks with a water.

I sit there, awkward and quiet, while Lainey and Valeria discuss the menu. Every so often, I do offer my input on my favorites.

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