Page 50 of Just A Little Fling

I looked at the blue crayon he put in my hand and fiddled it between my fingers. My brain was still at war with itself, but both sides of me, big and little, wanted only one person to soothe me. Except we didn’t have the kind of relationship that let me call him in the middle of the day and ask him to stop by my office because I needed him.

After I’d hightailed it out of there on Sunday, I’d hibernated in my house for the rest of the afternoon and evening. Since then, I hadn’t brought myself to call him, even though he’d left silly text messages on my phone checking in with me. I’d responded with short answers but had refused to engage past that. Except now I wished I had because I desperately wanted Babbo to tell me everything was all right.

I needed him to tell me it was fine and it wasn’t my fault Rory was upset. If he could add that I wasn’t about to lose my job and Gabe would still respect me, that would be even better. He could reassure me that my life hadn’t changed, except now more people knew what was going on in my head, so I could be more open with everyone. Okay, that last one was a toss-up for a good or bad idea, but either way, I still wanted Babbo to say it to me.

CHAPTERTWELVE

LEVI

“Levi, there’s a Gabe Alves on the line for you. He said he’s not a client but that it’s important he speak with you right away,” Jack said through the intercom.

“Yeah, I know him. Go ahead and put him through, please.” I waited impatiently for him to come through, and as soon as I heard the buzz, I jumped in. “Gabe, it’s Levi, what’s going on?”

“Hey, Levi, sorry to bother you at work, but I was hoping you could help me with something.”

“Yeah, yeah, of course.”

“Your new tenant, Nico, is my assistant. Do you know who Babbo is?”

“I’m not sure I understand what you mean.”

“I don’t want to give too much of his personal business, but the only emergency contact I have are his parents, and I don’t think they are the kind of help he needs right now. He said he needed Babbo.” The potential implications of what Gabe had said crashed through my brain. “Any guesses who that could be? I thought maybe he’d introduced a friend to you by that name. I feel terrible that I don’t know any of his friends. He says he likes to keep his private life out of the office, so he always meets them away from the office.”

I only made noncommittal noises. “Does he need someone to come get him? He’s at work?” Before I even finished the sentence, I was signing out of my files and looking around for my jacket. If Nico was in trouble, it would be me who helped him.

“Yes, he’s here. It’s not anyone from his family, is it?”

“No. Text me your address?” I provided my number and my phone pinged almost instantly.

“How long do you think it’ll be before Babbo can get here?” Gabe asked.

“I’m taking care of it right now.” I glanced at the address, and it wasn’t too far away. I could be there in ten minutes if traffic and parking cooperated. Whatever was going on with Nico, under no circumstances would I sit in my office and not go to him if he needed me.

After he left the house on Sunday, he’d been MIA except for one-word responses to my silly memes. They were viewed right away rather than leaving them to sit. I knew he was hiding in his bungalow. He wanted someone to prove to him he was worth the effort.

Yes, he denied wanting commitment, and I could accept that, but it didn’t mean I couldn’t be his friend. And from what I could tell, he didn’t have many…maybe even any…that he thought he could depend on. It was up to me to change that. I slammed my laptop shut, stuffed it in my bag, shrugged on my jacket, and headed for the door. I’d gotten no farther than opening it when Mrs. Wellington-Chaumont swept into my office.

Goddammit

“Levi, I’m so glad I caught you.” The impervious tone grated on my nerves, but I schooled my features and projected a neutral expression. If I was lucky, she wouldn’t notice the clenched jaw I knew I couldn’t hide.

“I’m so glad to see you, but we don’t have an appointment, and I’m on my way out.” There was no reason to beat around the bush. I wasn’t staying.

“I’m well aware that we don’t have an appointment, but as your client, I expect my attorney to be available to me when I need him.”

“Unfortunately, I have a family emergency, so I won’t be able to stay. However, Jack will be happy to make an appointment for you tomorrow.” I turned to him and said, “Move anything around tomorrow that can be to accommodate Mrs. Wellington-Chaumont.” Jack nodded and turned to his computer to look at my schedule.

“Ma’am, what time would be most convenient for you?” Jack called from his desk in a bid to distract her.

“I won’t be pawned off on your assistant.” I barely remembered to turn my head before rolling my eyes. Jack, however, saw it and quickly hid his responding grin behind his hand.

“You’re not being pawned off on anyone. I’m asking my legal assistant to look for an appointment that will accommodate you tomorrow. I am unavailable right now.”

“And as I just explained to you, I need to speak with my attorney today. You are my attorney, are you not? Yes, you are. Turn yourself around, go back to your office, and we can have this discussion in there.”

“Ma’am, that’s not what is happening. I’m leaving. At this point, you can make an appointment or not. In fact, I don’t feel comfortable leaving you with Jack because he doesn’t get paid enough to put up with you. I’ll call you tomorrow and set up the appointment with you myself at my convenience. Do we understand each other?”

My words hung in the air, and I knew I was skating close to the line. There would be a consequence for this, and I hoped like hell it wouldn’t be one Jack paid along with me.

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