Page 115 of Dial L for Lawyer
Logan pushes his glasses up. "That's ethically questionable on multiple levels."
"Thank you, Logan," David says. "At least someone here has sense."
"I have sense," I protest. "I just don't always use it."
"Clearly." David runs a hand through his hair. "Please tell me you at least made it clear the legal help wasn't dependent on her continuing to date you."
"Of course I did. I'm not a complete asshole."
"Debatable," Dominic mutters.
“I don’t want to be the one to rain on your parade,” David says. “But what happens if the other partners find out about this? They’ll haul you in front of the ethics committee and your name on the wall won't mean shit."
"Who’s going to tell them? The only people who know about this are sitting right here."
"And Serena," Bennett adds, his voice dropping to that quiet, serious tone that always cuts through my bullshit. "She's also in the know. That means Layla knows, Audrey too."
“And none of them are going to report me. This is a non-issue. I’ve pushed a boundary at most.”
“It’s more than a boundary,” David says, his expression grim. “It’s a conflict of interest that could get you disbarred. You’re thinking with the wrong head.”
“My thinking is just fine,” I snap, my patience wearing thin. “I did what I needed to do, and I don’t regret a single thing. If it turns out that decision fucks me in the ass professionally. Then so be it. I’d rather lose it all than go another day without her.”
A woman in a pink visor in the row below us turns around, her face a mask of pinched disapproval. "There are children here," she says, her voice loud enough to carry. "Would you mind not using that kind of language?"
A few other parents glance over, their expressions ranging from annoyed to scandalized.
"My apologies," I say, my voice tight.
"See?" David mutters, shaking his head. "Reckless."
Dominic just smirks into his beer. "Getting chewed out by the PTA. This is a new low for you, Kingsley."
I ignore them, my focus shifting to where Michaela appears at the railing, dripping and victorious.
"Did you see how I destroyed those kids?" she demands.
"Absolutely ruthless," I confirm.
"Like a Kingsley." She looks around at us. "Why do you all look serious? Are you talking about boring grown-up stuff?"
"Your uncle's questionable relationship choices," Dominic says.
She rolls her eyes. "You better not be saying mean things about Serena."
"We're not?—"
"Good. Because she's the best thing that ever happened to you and if you mess it up I'm never speaking to you again."
"That's a bit dramatic."
"I'm a kid. I'm allowed to be dramatic." She wrings out her hair, sending water everywhere. "Besides, she actually listenedto my mock trial. Do you know how many grown-ups just pretend to listen?"
"Most of them?" Logan guesses.
"Exactly. But Serena paid attention. She even gave me ideas for my closing." Michaela fixes me with a pure Kingsley stare. "Don't mess this up, Uncle Caleb. We need more girls in this family."
"Yeah, kid," Dominic says, "it's a real sausage fest up here."
