Page 20 of Only Fate

“There will never be anyone in this town as fabulous as you,” I say with a laugh.

“What can I do for you?”

“Can you give me Adrian’s email?—”

“One sec,” he chirps. “I’ll transfer you to him.”

“Wait!” I shriek. “No?—”

It’s too late.

I lose him. The line rings twice and then stops.

“This is Adrian.”

Goose bumps spread over my entire body at the sound of his voice.

It’s the perfect mixture of masculine and sincerity.

“Hey.” I exhale a steady breath. “It’s Essie.”

“Essie.” He slowly repeats my name, his voice deepening as it ends.

Heat crawls up my spine.

No. No.

The mere simplicity of this man’s voice shouldn’t turn me on.

I clear my throat to empty my thoughts.

Doesn’t work as much as I hoped for.

“I’m representing Brielle Huxley in the divorce from her husband, Rhett,” I tell him, my voice growing more professional, “one of your clients.”

“Rhett said she didn’t have representation.”

“She does now, and we expect Rhett to pay her attorney fees.”

Brielle worked in the office of Rhett’s plumbing company, but he only paid her minimum wage. She spent her paychecks on bills, so she has no savings. Even with the discounted rate I gave her, she can’t afford legal bills.

“Rhett won’t go for that,” Adrian says like he’s suddenly Rhett’s bestie.

“His attorney had better talk him into it then.”

“I don’t work for you.”

I can’t help but mock his words and roll my eyes. “She wants primary custody. Alimony. Half of everything.”

“How about we discuss her demands over drinks tonight?”

I frown. “How about you pay attention to what I’m saying, and that won’t be necessary?”

“I’ll come to your office then.”

“You are banned from my office. No jerks allowed.” I drum my fingers along my forehead. “All I need is your email so we can discuss the case professionally.”

“Don’t want to do drinks? Understandable. You probably need to eat after a long day’s work. We can meet for dinner, and I’ll write my email on a piece of paper for you. Shirley’s. Seven o’clock.”

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