Page 34 of The One for Forever

So, whatever the explanation for Rex’s moods lately, I’m not letting it affect me. I’m certainly not going to imagine that it means more than it does. I will not succumb to foolish dreams that won’t come true.

I’m finally getting over him, and it feelsso good.

Instead of wasting my time pining for unattainable men, I’ve been focused on my work. That’s how I find myself staring at my laptop, lost in thought, when a knock comes at my office door.

I look up, expecting to see Rex. But it’s Derek Keller, defense counsel for the upcoming Printz trial and my former law school classmate. Except for a couple of hearings in the courtroom, I haven’t seen him since the night of the gala. Certainly wasn’t looking for him, either.

I paste on a smile. “Derek. What are you doing wandering the halls of the DA’s office? Not spying on our work product, are you?”

His grin is equally fake. “I just finished a meeting with the DA. Surprised she didn’t invite you.”

“I’ve got plenty of other things to keep me busy.”

“I can imagine. Busy work is a drag.”

I know he’s just trying to provoke me. To make me jealous that he’s leading the defense while I’m second-chair. It’s not going to work.

But I’d be lying if I said Derek’s presence didn’t irk me. Simply because he’s a reminder that we’ve made no progress on finding that anonymous witness, or the evidence our mystery person promised.

The online threats against me have died down for the moment. I know Sylvie and her team have continued toinvestigate. They’ve succeeded in identifying some of the ringleaders posting nasty things about me online, but the culprits have all been random fans of Amber Printz. Nobody with the kind of inside access to make them our mystery witness.

Sylvie’s efforts to learn more about the burner phone and who bought it haven’t led anywhere. She sent an investigator to the convenience store where it was purchased, but the person had paid cash and the surveillance footage had already been recorded over.

If I want that evidence before the trial begins, I can’t wait for Sylvie to dig up a lead. I have to make a move of my own.

Derek makes a show of glancing left and right. “Where’s the guard dog? I thought you didn’t go anywhere without him.”

“You mean Rex? I assume he’s getting lunch. He doesn’t spend every second with me.” Though I’m sure there’s a Bennett Security car keeping an eye on our building entrance. They’re a permanent fixture lately.

“Could’ve fooled me. Are you that afraid of public criticism?”

“Not at all, but I don’t appreciate threats and harassment.”

He snorts. “A thrown milkshake is hardly a pattern of harassment, Quinn.”

I stand up from my desk. I won’t let him bait me. But ugh, it’s hard not to respond. “Don’t you have better places to be?”

“Yes, I do.” But instead of leaving, Derek takes a step into my office. His eyes rove over my desktop. I snap my laptop shut. “Is this really what you envisioned when you graduated?” he asks. “A low-level job upholding the system? You’re better than this.”

Wow. He’s got more of an attitude than usual today. I’m opening my mouth to tell him off when a shadow looms in the doorway. Rex has just returned carrying a bag of takeout. His expression is as dark and stormy as the rain clouds that rarely grace our Southern California skies.

“Is this gentleman bothering you, Ms. Ainsley?” Rex asks. Playing up the bodyguard role to the max.

I suppress a grin as Derek whirls around to face Rex. My rival covers his shock well, but I can tell his bravado is a facade. Can’t blame him. Rex is kinda scary when he’s like this. “Oh. The guard dog is back. I was just leaving anyway.”

Derek slinks by Rex, who moves from the doorway just enough to let him pass. Then, at the last second, he leans over Derek and whispers, “Woof.”

I can’t hold in my laughter this time.

Derek scurries away, and Rex comes into my office, closing the door most of the way behind him.

“Thank you,” I say. “I needed that.”

“It was fun for me too.” The corner of Rex’s mouth lifts in a satisfied smirk. “If you want, I’ll find out which BMW in the parking lot is his. I can let the air out of his tires. Just say the word.”

I snort. “Don’t tempt me. I’m trying to be more mature than that.”

“Are you saying I’m a bad influence?” he teases.

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