Page 1 of Masked March

One

MELODY

My grandmother would have a fit if she were alive. To see me dressed like this. Like I’m some cheap flapper from the 20s, all I can think about is the run in my stockings. Jake’s eyes narrow on my legs. I’m sure he’s noticed. He sees everything.

In a curtsey position, I tuck the shin of one leg behind the calf of the other and smile while leaning forward to give him a view of more breast. Yes, I’ll use those, so he doesn’t focus on my slovenly appearance today.

“Late night?” His smirk sets my teeth on edge. Not because of the implications, but because of how stunning he is. And he knows it all too well.

“If you must know, yes. I was working on the Ballard files and discovered something new we could use if it goes to trial.” My brown locks fall over my shoulders, and I try to toss them back without looking like I’m desperate.

He spins in his white leather chair and faces the corner windows overlooking the resort. The snow is melting along the bottom of the mountain, already a warmer beginning to March than we’ve ever had. The sun is even peeking out at seven in the morning. “It won’t go to trial. The judge wouldn’t let that happen andyouwon’t either. Settle if you have to, but do the expensive job I pay you for.”

My neck muscles tighten. “I think,sir, if we hadn’t sued the paper for implying your sexual orientation is anything other than straight, then it wouldn’t have been a bigger deal than it needed to be.”

Flipping back to me, he laughs. A genuine, full, charming, seductive, and irritating laugh. “I thought lawyers liked to sue. Besides, it wasn’t rumors about my sexual orientation, and you know that. I make a living off my availability, and they implied?—”

“That you’re off the market, I get it. That could hurt your bottom line. But maybe it’s time to, perhaps, marry and settle down. With, um, whomever you choose.” Have I been waiting all these years for Jake to askme? Maybe. I mean, I do everything a wife would do. Make sure he has his breakfast and takes his vitamins. That he doesn’t stress too much. Rub his shoulders when he needs it. Attend functions with him when he needs a plus one for an invitation.

The fact that I do this while also being his counsel is demeaning. But he’s right. He pays me quite well. Not as much as he makes, but I earn a lot of money.

With no time to spend it.

“Anyway, back to the drawing board with you. Make sure you get my dry cleaning scheduled. And, oh. I need something…hmm…Italianfor lunch, I think.”

Preventing my eye roll, I turn around to face the hall. It comes out as a murmur because I don’t want to hear his snappy comeback. “I think Dustin would be better at handling that. You remember him. Yourassistant?”

Stopping by Dustin’s desk, I tap on the top with a manicured nail to gain his attention. He’s putting away his items casually. Because he can. Because he’s so useless. Jake only keeps him around because he’s someone’s son.

“Order him vegetable lasagna from Garbazzo’s for lunch and get his dry cleaning done.”

Dustin clicks away mindlessly with his mouse. “But he hates vegetable lasagna.”

I’m already at the door when I pause and throw the words over my shoulder, “I know.”

Jake is annoyingly correct. By mid-afternoon, I’ve already gotten the client to agree to settle after talking with opposing counsel. They’ll retract their story and issue a correction. No one wants to upset the man that runs this town. The mayor is just that in name only. Jake Connor is the one holding the purse strings.

Rubbing my temples to prevent a headache that’s threatening to settle in, I lean against the break room counter when Mateo strolls through to grab his lunch from the fridge. “Already one of those days, huh? Here. I’msureyou forgot to pack something, so I made two.”

He tosses me a sandwich from his bag, and I tilt my head at the warmness of the action. I think I could cry from his kindness. “You’re always rescuing me.”

A little chuckle parts his lips as he sits down at the table and kicks a chair out for me to join him. “I know. It’s worth it. Anyone who’s as annoyed with Jake Connor as me holds a special place in my heart.”

Taking a bite of the salami and pickles, I moan with pleasure. Mateo knows exactly what I like. “What did he make you do now?” I ask.

“Change the new building design.” His black locks dance as he shakes his head. “For the fourth time this week. I can only draw up so many plans before I get hand cramps.”

Tossing my head back with a laugh, the day’s frustrations lessen listening to his rants about Jake. “This was so good. Thank you.” I’m not just talking about the food, but that hit the right spot.

“You’re welcome. Are you ever going to get some groceries at your place? Last time I was there, it was just pickles and mayo in the fridge. And a sad old taco seasoning packet in the pantry.”

Brushing some crumbs off my pencil skirt, I stand and grab some water from the dispenser. “Ugh, if I had time, I’d stock it full. Or just hire a cook.”

“But I thought you liked to cook. Some places offer grocery delivery. All you have to do is order it, then put it away.”

With a heavy sigh, I dream of such a thing. Maybe I can take a moment now to peruse a list from an app. “I think you just miss my chicken and dumplings.”

“They’re so good, Mel.Sogood. Yeah, you caught me.”

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