Page 61 of Maximum Dare
“No, not really. I brought something to read.”
I sat beside her, thinking this was damn uncomfortable.
On the rug next to her lay a copy ofWhere The Crawdads Singby Delia Owens.
“How’s the book?”
She followed my gaze. “Wonderful so far.”
The books in my To Be Read pile were also victims of my demanding job.
I looked around at the peeling paint and the dusty floor. The dimness was unsettling. The torch next to her picnic basket better have good batteries.
I resigned to sit awhile. “You don’t strike me as someone who believes in ghosts.”
“My aunt’s a clairvoyant.”
“That’s right.” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
A rustling down the hallway drew my attention.
“I’ve heard other strange noises.” She watched my reaction. “The trick is to ignore them.”
The small hairs on my forearms prickled. I scooted closer to her on the rug, shuddering at the thought of seeing anything that resembled a ghost.
I shook my head. “These dares really do push you to do questionable things.”
“They make you vulnerable,” she admitted. “They call it total exposure.”
“Funny.”
“After what happened Tuesday night I almost quit. Then I thought, what do I have to lose? Might as well keep going.”
Her adventurous spirit was inspiring.
In another universe we might have evolved into more than friends. Developed the kind of trust that’s coveted by those willing to give love a go.
I admired her flawless complexion. The weight of my stare must have made her self-conscious, because she looked away, revealing a profile that could have made a master like Vermeer weep.
She broke the quiet. “Do you like being a defense attorney?”
“Like is a strong word.”
“Because you defend criminals?”
“Innocent until proven guilty.”
“I heard you can get away with anything if you have a good lawyer.”
“I defend the law.”
“Have you ever defended someone you knew was guilty?”
“You can’t ask me that, Daisy.”
“But I just did.”
“Everyone deserves a trial.”
