Page 53 of Pride & Precedents

I angrily rake my hands through my hair and scowl at her.

"There was nomoment, Naomi. That kiss was not only inappropriate, it was unethical. I'll have to drop your case now."

She huffs out a breath, her acid tone slicing through me.

"Wow. You're acting like I attacked you. Like you didn't kiss me back. You were two seconds from unbuttoning my blouse!"

My palms are sweating. I was such a fool to take this case.

"Naomi," I croak, swallowing around the tightness in my throat. "This whole thing was a mistake. You know there can't be anything between us. I'm your attorney. I can't be anything more than that."

The fight drains from her face.

"You're right, of course," she says, her tone resigned. "I'm really sorry I put you in this position. Between moving cross country, the new job, and the divorce, I feel like I'm going crazy.And thenthe one that got awaybasically saves me from my scumbag husband... I guess that's another cliché.Woman can't get over the guy who ghosted her." She laughs humorlessly.

"Naomi," I say, confused, "am I the guy who ghosted you?"

She lets out an unladylike snort and rolls her eyes.

"One minute, we're hanging out all the time, studying, grabbing meals together. The next, you're not answering my calls, acting like a complete stranger. Yeah, I'd say you ghosted me." Sarcasm drips from every word.

I take off my glasses to pinch the bridge of my nose.

"Are you serious, Naomi? Is that your version of events?"

She looks shocked at the bitter edge in my voice.

"Well…Yes."

Years of resentment and unresolved heartbreak bubble to the surface, and I pound my fist on the table, sending papers in every direction.

"That's rich. That's really rich, Naomi. You're right. Wedidhang out all the time. We studied. We hooked up. We were basically a couple!" Thank God for frosted glass so the entire office doesn't see me lose my shit.

"I thought so too!" she cries, reaching for me. I yank my body away.

"Oh, yeah?" I shout, anger sour in my mouth. "Then why the fuck did I show up to study that day and find you fucking Tanner?! Tanner! My teammate!" Her face goes pale, which just makes me angrier.

"You didn't know I knew about that, did you?'I never loved him. You were such a catch'," I mock, imitating her voice. "Well, you were just as bad as he was! I mean, shit, Naomi, I was fuckingin lovewith you!"

The words hang in the air between us, and I will away angry tears.

"Henry," she whispers, eyes in her lap. "I…made a mistake. He was flirty, and he was always around, and I… We weren't exclusive, you know? I didn't realize you wanted that."

I slouch into my own chair. My eyes are unfocused, and I remember I'm not wearing my glasses. I put them on and feel my composure return.

"That's why I was there that day. I wanted to make things official."

A tiny whimper leaves her lips. I'm too drained to care.

"I can recommend an associate who'll do a great job completing your petition," I say, slipping back into lawyer mode. "I'll pass along all our work so you don't lose any time."

"Thank you," she murmurs. She rises to get her purse and smooths a nonexistent wrinkle from her jacket.

"I'm sorry," she whispers.

The door opens and closes with a muffled thud, and she's gone.

Chapter twenty-two

---