Page 22 of Dial L for Lawyer
Her eyes widen, throat working as she swallows. "You can't be serious."
"Serious as a heart attack." I shift back slightly, though every instinct screams to press closer. "When this is over, if you still feel the same—fine. But until then, you're not allowed to lie about why you're here. Or what we both want."
Because I can see how badly you want this. Can practically smell it on you.
She opens her mouth but nothing comes out. Eyes dark, pupils blown, pulse hammering.
I check my watch. "It's getting late."
She blinks, thrown. "Caleb?—"
"Come on." My hand on her lower back feels the heat through thin fabric. "I'll drive you home."
The ride is silent except for the engine and city sounds. She stares out the window, hands folded tight, wheels turning.
Good. Think about me. About us. Everything you've been running from.
At her building, she's out before I can reach her door.
"Thanks for dinner," she says, speed-walking away.
"Tomorrow night," I call. "Client meeting. You're coming."
She stops, turns. "A client meeting?"
"Wear something nice. Six o'clock."
"This is insane."
"These are my terms."
She worries her lip with her teeth. "Fine. But just until the case is over. Every hour equals an hour paid."
"Agreed." Victory and hunger mix in my chest. "Every hour counts."
She nods sharp, business-like, but her hands tremble with her keys. "This doesn't mean... we're not... This isn't me falling at your feet."
"Of course not." I lean against my car. "Wouldn't dream of it."
She shoots me a paint-stripping look. "You know what I mean."
"I know exactly what you mean."And I know how long it'll take to make you forget you said it.
"Goodnight, Caleb."
"See you in my dreams," I mutter as she disappears inside.
CHAPTER 8
Serena
"You're joking."
Caleb doesn't even look up from his phone. "I don't joke about client meetings."
I stare at the yacht—no, this monstrosity needs a bigger word. Mega-yacht? Floating palace? It's three decks of gleaming white with enough dark glass to outfit a skyscraper. The nameSerendipityis scripted across the hull in gold letters. I can’t even begin to imagine how much this costs to buy, let alone how expensive it must be to staff and maintain. The level of wealth on display is insane.
"When you said dress nicely, I thought you meant business casual." I smooth down my navy Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress—a TheRealReal find from last year that I'd justified as an investment piece. Thank God I did.
