Page 25 of Hooked on Dallas
When I enter the break room, the conversation dies. Several lawyers who used to greet me with friendly hellos now avert their eyes. Only Tom offers a weak smile, though he seems uncomfortable.
With a sigh, I retreat to my desk. The dynamics of the office have shifted overnight, and navigating the change won’t be easy. If this tension continues, it might impact my work and relationships here. I didn’t want that, but what can I do to ease the situation?
Just then, Mr. De La Cruz emerges from his office and strides over to me. “Are you free for lunch today?”
Though the invitation is tempting, I hesitate. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea right now. People already seem uncomfortable with us dating, and being seen together during work hours might make things worse.”
“You’re probably right.” He gazes down at me, a crease forming between his brows. “I hate that they’re making you feel unwelcome here because of me. If ending our relationship would resolve things, please say the word. Your happiness and comfort are far more important.”
I reach up and smooth the crease with my thumb. “Don’t be silly. I care about you too much to let a little gossip scare me off.”Standing on my tiptoes, I press a soft kiss to his cheek. “We’ll get through this.”
A slow, heart-melting smile lights his face as he pulls me into an embrace. No matter what challenges we face, we’ll face them side by side.
After lunch, I prepare for more stares and whispers. To my surprise, the tension seems to have dissipated. A few colleagues even greet me with friendly smiles.
Has the gossip mill moved on already? I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but the change in attitude is refreshing.
When I enter the break room to fill up my coffee to avoid the afternoon slump, Mr. Taft waves me over to join him and a few others at the table. “So, you and Mr. De La Cruz, huh? I have to say, I didn’t see that one coming.”
My face heats at the mention of my relationship, old anxieties rising to the surface. But Mr. Taft’s tone is light and teasing, not judgmental. “We wanted to keep things professional at work,” I explained. “I hope it won’t be too distracting.”
“Not at all,” one paralegal, Jenny, insists. “After the initial shock wore off, we realized you two make a great couple. He’s been in a better mood lately, and you seem happy. That’s all that matters to us.”
“Really?” I blink back tears, touched by their support. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
“Besides,” Mr. Taft adds with a wink, “we’ve all had office romances at some point. Who are we to judge?”
The others chuckle in agreement. My anxiety fades, replaced by gratitude for my understanding colleagues and excitement at the new stage of my relationship. Mr. De La Cruz and I will continue to face challenges, but with the support of friends and each other, we’ll make it work. After all, the best love stories are the ones that overcome every obstacle.
17
Laura
The tangy aroma of fresh coffee wafts through my office as I tackled the towering stack of paperwork on my desk with renewed vigor. Things have been going splendidly since Dallas and I started dating. My work seems easier, the hours passing in the blink of an eye, and I even whistle while I file.
He strides up to my desk, a devilish grin lighting up his handsome features. “Laura, we’ve got a fresh case. A big one.”
My heart skips a beat. A high-profile case! This is another opportunity.
“The Johnson account?” I breathe, daring to hope.
Dallas nods, his dark eyes glinting with triumph. “They requested me. They know how skilled you are. I told you that charm of yours would come in handy someday.”
“That’s wonderful!” I leap up and throw my arms around him in delight, inhaling the crisp scent of his cologne. Dallas stiffens in surprise before relaxing into the embrace, wrapping me in his arms.
“I knew you were ready for this,” he murmurs, pride clear in his tone.
I swat his arm playfully, unable to keep the grin from my face. “Oh, stop. I had an excellent teacher.”
“That you did.” Dallas presses a swift kiss to my forehead before stepping back, a hint of color touching his cheeks. “Shall we get started, then? The Johnsons will be here within the hour to discuss the details of their case.”
“Definitely!” I chirp, already sorting through the files on my desk for anything relating to the Johnson account. My relationship with Dallas makes everything brighter and more vibrant, including my work. I have never been happier.
My enthusiasm dims as the reality of the high-profile Johnson case sinks in. This is unlike anything I have handled before, and try as I might, I can’t shake the feeling of being in over my head.
Dallas notices my uncharacteristic silence and furrows his brow. “What’s wrong, Laura? You’ve been quiet all morning.”
I bite my lip, hating to admit my doubts, but knowing honesty is the best policy. “I’m worried about the Johnson case,” I confess. “What if I mess up? It’s so important, and I don’t have much experience with cases of this magnitude.”
