Page 95 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 2

“Bear with me here.” She sits forward, resting her hands on the table. “You’re wrong about me willingly working for other attorneys. I work for you because you help people out of bad situations, situations that destroy them and the people around them. It’s an ugly process that our world dictates, not you. You aren’t tearing them apart. You’re giving clients hope for a happier future.” She stops and looks out the window, seeming to gather her thoughts. “You’re more than your job, Rad,” she says, her eyes on me. “You’re a friend who stands by their side through one of the most difficult times of their lives. And that is why I work for you and not for the firm.”

“Like I always say, everyone needs an Ashleigh on their side.”

I’m grinning when she says, “Robert Marché canceled again. He’s open for a video call next week, but he’s stuck in California and can’t get back to New York until after the fifteenth.”

Personally, that suits me just fine. Professionally, I’m starting to wonder if he even wants this divorce by how much time he’s spending back in LA. “He’s focusing on business there while reassuring me that his priorities are here. It’s not adding up. Can you verify the residency clause? He’s walking a fine line, and I can’t let him jeopardize my career by not protecting ourselves.” Residency is not an issue I’ve encountered with a client before since they usually live here year-round. It’s a given. I do know that if he’s trying to get the sweeter deal by lying, that will play into the outcome.

When our names are called, I get up and wait at the counter, not wanting to think about the partner position or get lost in the weeds of the minutiae of my cases. I need a clear head for that.

Thinking about Tealey is much more entertaining, even with the topic of marriage coming at me sooner than expected. Marriage is something that I’ve let skate by whenever it was even hinted at by a woman. But I’m glad Tealey talked to me, even if it wasn’t an easy conversation to have. She’s making sure she’s on a path that leads to what she wants. She’s protecting herself, and I can respect that.

Knowing I’ll see her in a few hours helps return my good mood. The way we’ve flirted for the past month has been fun, and then how we progressed to acting on those flirtations in the Hamptons.

In the last week alone, I’ve discovered she makes delicious deconstructed eggplant Parmesan and mixes a mean paloma cocktail.

The woman’s got mad cooking skills, and though she carries doubts that her bedroom skills are up to par, I tell her the results speak for themselves. And then I apologize for coming so fast.

Retrieving the drinks, I notice how the paper cups are lacking in design. Tealey could fix that.

I set the cups down on the table and sit across from Ashleigh again. I open the file to review that everything is in order and all my paperwork is here as a backup to what I filed online. Ashleigh says, “Can I say something about your personal life? Share an observation?”

Some teens walk in, talking loudly, and cause me to look up. Returning my attention to Ashleigh, I say, “Of course.”

“You dedicate so much time to your career that you seem to be searching for answers that can be found outside the office. You’ve always enjoyed the bachelor awards, but maybe that and your work aren’t enough anymore.”

We’ve tiptoed around this topic before. We both know I don’t have a life and what I’ve sacrificed for my career. She only says this stuff because she cares and worries about me, so I’m notupset. But unfortunately, Tealey and I agreed just this morning that we wouldn’t share our private lives with others. “Is there a question in there somewhere?”

“No. Just that I see the change. It’s slow, but it’s happening. Trust me, Rad, you’re going to fall so hard you won’t know what hit you. And then you’ll finally see the light. All the pieces will fall into place after that, and hopefully, you’ll find more work-life balance.”

“The light? Why is it always about seeing the light?” I sigh, rolling my eyes.

“Did you just roll your eyes?”

“Did I?”

She laughs. “You did. That’s new.”

“I must have picked it up somewhere over the weekend.”

With a knowing grin, she sing-songs, “Must have. Or someone has rubbed off on you.”

She sees right through me.Guilty as charged.Tealey’s definitely been rubbing off on me, and I on her.Fuck.Now I can’t hide my smile. Ashleigh pounces. “Who has you smiling like that, boss?”

Handing her the file, I stand. I grab my briefcase with one hand and my coffee in the other. “As fun as it has been to analyze my life, let’s get to court.”

30

Tealey

Rad’s magnetism puts women under a spell, and his charisma causes men to envy him. I’ve seen it firsthand. Rad Wellington is a gifted man when it comes to who he is on the inside, but my goodness, my heart and other parts are enjoying the full package.

Rolled-up shirtsleeves. A black and chrome watch on his wrist. That Adam’s apple that dips down to tease me. His jaw that ticks when he’s deep in thought . . . or greedily taking me in like he is now. Gah! It’s too much!

I’m a lucky woman indeed because he came home to me.

His keys jingle around the hook, and he never breaks his stride on his way to me. A man on a mission. “Are you hungry?” I ask the giant of a man coming toward me. He takes hold of my head and sweeps my hair to the opposite shoulder.

I open myself up, my neck begging to be kissed, and Rad never disappoints. With warm lips against my rapidly heating skin, he breathes, “I don’t want to eat food. I don’t need anythingto drink. I only want you. All I’ve thought about all day is being buried deep inside you.”

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