Page 33 of Pride & Precedents

"First of all, there is no rule about personal conversations. I just don't allow personalcallsat work." She looks at me with an expression that says she's not buying it, but I continue. "Fine, I'm not big on small talk, but Mila, getting your J.D. is way bigger than small talk."

She looks down at her hands, and I realize I've been idly stroking them with my thumb the whole time we've been talking. I quickly pull my hand back into my lap.

"So," I say, changing the subject. "Have you chosen a specialty?"

She hesitates. Our working relationship may be great, but clearly, our budding personal relationship lacks trust. I clench my fist to keep from touching her again and paste on my most comforting smile.

"It's OK if you're not interested in going into divorce law. It's not everyone's cup of tea."

She visibly relaxes, and I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

"Honestly, I'm just focusing on passing the bar for now. After that, maybe…entertainment law? My sister's been working as an AD for a while and she's fantastic. She's even taken a few meetings with A24, though she hasn't landed a gig with them yet. It's going to happen any day, though."

The love she has for her sister is unmistakable, and I smile to myself. My brothers may be a pain in the ass 90% of the time, but family is everything to me.

"That sounds like my personal hell. Between the actors, musicians, producers, and directors, the small talk is endless."

She gives me a rueful grin and shakes her head.

"'Hell is other people', huh?"

I hide my grin and turn to look out the window.

"Not in all cases."

My implication is clear, and the sexual tension rises around us once more. I smirk when I notice her press her thighs together and continue to fidget with her purse strap.

"Sorry to take you so far out of your way. Will this be your first time traveling north of Columbus Circle?"

I grab my chest in mock offense.

"Ms. Sanchez, how dare you! My mom's last four birthday cakes have been from Conti's Pastry Shoppe. We couldn't risk baking her anything ourselves after The Salty Buttercream Disaster of 2019."

Her chest shakes with laughter, causing two of my favorite assets to jiggle enticingly. My eyes rake over her body and I'm past the point of caring if she sees me.

"First, that is hilarious, and you've gotta tell me the whole story sometime. Second, you should try Artuso Pastry Shop. Their black-and-white cookies are my go-to whenever I want to celebrate…or whenever I need a pick me up…or whenever I need a sugar fix. Basically, whenever I want." She motions up and down her body. "I rarely say no to sweets, if that's not obvious."

I'm not sure how to respond to that, but she doesn't seem to be talking down about herself, so I let it pass.

Well before I'm ready, the car pulls to a stop in front of the brick tenement building. Murray comes to her door and helps her out and I realize I'm clenching my jaw at the sight of his hand on her lower back, even though I'm sure it's not sexual. Murray has been happily married as long as I've been alive.

Not willing to be outdone, I jump out of the car and run around to meet her when she reaches the sidewalk. She raises an eyebrow in question.

"My mom would pinch my ear if I didn't walk you to your door." She looks at me doubtfully but doesn't protest when I follow her into the building. We step onto the elevator, along with two boys no older than twelve. They are wearing khakis and blazers with a school crest, hunched over a tablet the taller one is holding.

"Wow! You made an End portal in Survival mode? I've only ever made one in Creative mode."

"Do you know where the strongholds are?," the short one asks.

"I found one, but the Piglings took me out before I could place the Eyes of Ender."

Camila's chest is shaking with suppressed laughter again, and I bite my lips to avoid laughing, too. As soon as we step off the elevator, both of us break down.

"Did you have any idea what they were talking about?" I ask, happy she hasn't asked me to leave. She sighs.

"Unfortunately, yes. My younger brother is still very much into Minecraft, though he pretends he's too cool to play." She walks to a door at the end of the hall and I wordlessly follow her inside after she holds it open in invitation. Her apartment is veryher. It's bright and colorful, with way too many throw pillows on the couch and large windows that let in the early spring sun. Bold and beautiful.

She gestures towards the kitchen.

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