Page 15 of Objection to Love

“Hey, don’t knock my hobbies just because they’re different than yours.”

“I don’t think most people would consider taking baths a hobby.”

“Most people aren’t very smart then. I need to go. I’m going to be late.”

“Be late, then. Add a little variety to your life.”

Em tapped a finger against the strap of her bag and lifted her umbrella over her head, anxious to get to her car.

“I’m serious. I bet it would do you a world of good to shake things up a bit.”

“You don’t even know me, Garrett Clarke. How could you know what would ‘do me good’?”

He shrugged and took another sip from his drink.

“What are you drinking?”

“Herbal tea.”

Em’s eyebrows flew up her forehead of their own accord. “Herbal tea?”

“Mmhmm. It’s good. You should try it sometime.” He looked so relaxed, standing there with his arm resting against one of his porch columns and a lazy smile on his face.

Em, on the other hand, was feeling jolts ofsomethingdown to her toes. These morning chats had to stop. She was starting to dream about this guy. And she was sure it was only because of her stress over him delaying her in the mornings.

At least, that should be the only reason.

“Okay. I will. I gotta go. See you around.” She waved and stepped off the porch into the rain.

“I’ll make you some tomorrow,” he said. As if they had tomorrows. As if this was some sort of relationship.

“Mmhmm, sure. Bye!”

She darted for her car andawayfrom Mr. Garrett Clarke. Mr. Nosey, Strange, Too-Attractive-For-His-Own-Good Clarke.

Chapter 7

Em

“Hey,Stephanie,haveyoufiled the motion for the Williams case?”

“Oh. Uh…” The twenty-one-year-old, perky blonde looked around her desk distractedly. “No, I haven’t. But I’ll do that ASAP!”

Em smiled at her, but the expression felt pained. Stephanie was nearing the end of her three-month trial period, and despite being Mr. Standson’s niece, Em was pretty sure she either needed to be fired or assigned to a different prosecutor. Stephanie’s lack of work skills was part of the reason Em was always at work so late.

Only part. But still.

She backed into her office but left the door open for when Stephanie inevitably forgot how to file a motion and needed to ask.

“Hey, Stephanie, a group of us are getting together after work for Rachel’s birthday. I hope you’ll join us!” Em recognized Parker’s voice, one of the juvenile prosecutors.

“Oh, that sounds great, thanks! Who’s coming?”

Through the half-open door, Em watched Parker sit down on the corner of Stephanie’s desk. Em barely refrained from sighing. With the exception of herself, Parker was the youngest member of the group at thirty-one. And he was always hitting on Stephanie. It was distracting at best and revolting at worst. The man would hit on anything with legs. Stephanie just happened to have the shapeliest legs of them all.

“Oh, pretty much the whole office. Derek can’t come because of his new baby, but everyone else should be there.”

Everyone else should be there?Be where? Em never got an invitation.

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