Page 49 of Love, Rekindled

“Well, thank you for your service.”

Ben smirks with a laugh. “If you say that to everyone who served in this area, you’ll lose your voice.”

I nudge him with my arm. “Still, thank you. If I lose my voice, that’s the least I can do to show my appreciation.”

“Well, thank you for thanking me.”

“I think you’re missing the point of the thank you.”

“I guess I am.” Ben shrugs. “Tell me about your job...”

The first thing that comes to mind is my ex. My disgust rises as I think of him. Stupid asshole. But then comes disappointment, not because he’s my ex, but because I love practicing law. I enjoyed researching, making lists, checking things off knowing that rules would work themselves out because of the laws people before me determined to be just.

Never in college did I think some man would be what I thought of first.

“Hmm…” I say the word slowly. “I was a contracts and litigation attorney. It’s truly as fascinating as it sounds. Lots of reading, studying, reading over old cases and then coming up with a plan.”

“Oh, I remember how much you love plans.”

“I do.” I smile.

“I would bet that you still keep lists for everything too...”

“You would be correct.”

Ben shakes his head and I remember how much he thought I was a headcase for them. “I’m glad that some things haven’t changed.”

There’s a look in his eyes that makes my heart race.

“Well, unlike you.” I tuck my hair behind my ear, feeling really uncomfortable and shy. “You changed a lot.”

He nods. “That I have.”

“Not too much, though. You still have that mischievous look about you.”

Ben chuckles. “Here we are.”

He opens the door and I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it’s more of a conference room than an office. There are two small desks and then a round table in the middle. I didn’t think I’d have a corner office, but I wasn’t really thinking I would share either. It’s cozy, though, and for Jackson, hopefully I can help.

“Is there someone else that will be in here?” I ask.

“Yes. Me.”

Well, shit.

“I see.”

“We’re sharing this office for now. Jackson thought since most of the work will require us both to bounce the info, no point in us having to walk back and forth. My office is usually right down the hall, but it’s too small for another desk.”

“Sounds very...” Stupid. Close. Intimate. Dumb. “…efficient.”

He chuckles once. “Yeah. Good word.”

“I’ll take the left side if that’s okay?”

“Sure. I don’t really have a preference so whatever works.” I put my purse down, grab a note pad and pen. “So what is the client you’re working on and what do you need my legal knowledge for?”

Ben makes his way to the table, putting a bunch of folders together. “It’s a foreign dignitary and his family. The dignitary is one thing, but his son is an...idiot. A total fucking moron. He keeps screwing up, getting his father into trouble, and we really needed a lawyer on payroll to help us when he screws up again.”

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