“I know what you could have come up with. Go to Ted’s office yourself and ask him out to lunch or dinner.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Why?”
“He’ll think I like him.”
“You do. Hell, I’m thinking you’re in love with him.”
“I’m hoping he notices me. Asks me out first.”
Trish’s eyes widened. “You’ve been pining for the man since you were eighteen years old. Playing hard to get is not the strategy for this situation.”
Darlene blew out in frustration.
Trish sighed. “If I happen to notice that Ted’s coming in to see David, I’ll call you. Okay?”
Darlene blushed. “I’d appreciate that.”
“I just don’t understand why you can’t walk up to the man and start talking to him instead of pining for him from afar. You’re an outgoing, friendly person.”
“I’ve always been tongue-tied around him. At my graduation picnic, he approached me. I was a blubbering mess. All he said was congratulations and asked me about my plans for the future. I stuttered so badly; I know he thought I was a complete idiot.”
“I’m sure he just thought you were a sweet, shy young lady,” Trish eased.
“He’s so…so….handsome, smart,…and really successful. He’s really successful as a P.I. I heard from the girls at the beauty salon that he’s worth a couple of million dollars.”
“Hell, you wouldn’t know it. Does he still wear that black leather jacket and wrinkled T-shirt?”
“Not all the time,” Darlene said sheepishly.
Trish chuckled.
Two African American males approached the booth. Darlene and Trish looked up at them as they approached.
“Good afternoon, ladies. We were wondering if you two would be interested in joining us at our table for dessert?” the one with dreadlocks asked.
Trish and Darlene looked at each other in amazement.
“That’s very friendly of you,” Trish breathed out as she sized up the muscled specimens before them.
“Thank you, but I can’t. I have errands to run,” Darlene said.
“I don’t,” Trish replied.
“Trish, you’ve got a job to get back to.”
“I’ll call the sergeant and tell him I got held up in traffic,” Trish said as she stared at the more muscular man closer to her left.
“Trish, you just got that job.”
“Temp job,” Trish said as she smiled at her admirer.
“You said you would do me a favor at that temp job,” Darlene said.
Trish gave an ‘I’m sorry’ look to her potential young suitor. “She’s right.”
“Maybe you and I could…get together later. How’s Saturday night?”
“That would be great,” Trish said trying to suppress her excitement.
He reached into his backpack and pulled out a pen and mini post-it note. “You mind jotting your number down, Trish?”
Trish’s smile widened as she took the pen and post-it. She wrote her name and cell phone number down. “So, what are we going to do Saturday night?”
“I figured we could meet here around eight for a quick bite, then go to a club,” he said.
“That sounds like fun,” Trish said.
“Is it a date?”
“Absolutely, uh- uh-” Trish stuttered because she didn’t know his name.
“Jamal.” He reached into his backpack again and handed her a card. “It’s my business card from my part-time job, but it has my cell phone number on it.”
Trish took the card and gave him back his post-it and pen. “Telecom Global?”
“Yes, I’m just a part-time sales rep. I have to pay for my books somehow.”
“Oh, of course,” Darlene said and smirked at Trish.
*******
Darlene and Trish walked along the sidewalk in the downtown district of Clary. They were heading to David’s office.
“I can’t believe you are going out on a date with that child,” Darlene said, shaking her head.
“Did you see the muscles coming out of his shirt? Honey, he is no child,” Trish said proudly.
“Did you see the fraternity letters on that shirt? He’s a college student.”
“I saw everything about that chest, thank you very much,” Trish said with a mischievous grin.
“Oh, my.”
“You know, I admit I was depressed about this divorce, but now I’m realizing how free I truly am. Hot, young flesh, free for me to sample.”
“Daddy said no overnight guests,” Darlene spat out.
“I didn’t say I was going to sleep with him, and if I was, I wouldn’t bring him back to your father’s house. That would be disrespectful. Nice to know what you think of me.”
“Sorry. I have never seen you flirt like that before. I thought you lost your mind for a second.”
“Not exactly, but I’m afraid that my libido is in overdrive.”
Darlene rolled her eyes. “We should have stopped for some ice water.”
Trish laughed. “It’s cold enough out here. I’ve cooled down now.”
“But, seriously, if you’re ready to date again, you should keep an eye out for more realistic and long-term options.”
“And where am I going to find eligible men that want a serious relationship? Dating is difficult in the nineties. Seems like it’s harder to meet people.”
“What about Internet dating?”
“No way,” Trish said as she turned her nose up.
“There’s nothing wrong with it. I’ve heard plenty of success stories. That’s how my cousin in Tulsa met her husband.”
“I prefer to meet men the old-fashioned way,” Trish said.
“I do, too, but that’s not how it’s done, now. We are living in the age of the world wide web.” Darlene stopped walking.
Trish stopped. “You want me to post an ad looking for love?”
“Just think about it. That’s all I’m asking,” Darlene said.
“No way.”
*******
Trish walked into the reception area of the law office just as David was walking out of his office with his briefcase and a black trench coat in hand. His face was like stone and devoid of emotion as usual.
“Good, you’re back. I’m meeting a potential client for a late lunch. I’ll be back around three. Try not to burn the place down while I’m gone,” he said and walked passed her.
“Hell, if the place burns down it won’t be because of me. It will be because it’s a fire hazard.”
“Smart aleck,” he mumbled and slammed the front door after himself.
“Ass,” she said as she rolled her eyes and whipped off her black coat with fur cuffs and collar. She walked to her desk and plopped down in the chair, slamming her purse down in the drawer as she sat.
Chapter 6
Theodore ‘Teddy’ Shaw sat down next to his brother at the sports bar. Ted’s skin had a yellowish glow, his hair was dark and curly, and his jaw wasn’t as chiseled as his younger brother’s. Ted wore his signature leather jacket with a black turtleneck and blue jeans. He looked up and down at his brother’s gray bagging sweatshirt and pants.
“I take it you’ve been to the gym,” Ted said.
“Yep,” David said and sipped his scotch.
“What ya havin’?” the female bartender asked.
“Whatever you have on tap, cuteness,” Ted answered with a wink.
She smiled, nodded, and walked away.
“Why’d you call me down here?” Ted asked.
“I thought we could hang out for a while. Have a couple of drinks,” David replied without looking at him.
“It’s Saturday night - date night - and you call me here to decompose with you? Figures. I thought at the very least you needed me to be your wingman, and you look like you just rolled out of bed.”
“If you had plans, why didn’t you say so?”
The bartender placed a mug of beer in front of Ted. He smil
ed and nodded his thanks. She smiled back and walked away. “I didn’t have plans. What I’m getting around too is why don’t you have plans? When was the last time you went out on a date?”
An ape-like grunt escaped from David’s throat. “I don’t know, and I don’t care.”
“You should. You still can’t be brooding about what happened in New York with Heather. You didn’t need that girl - she was a gold-digger and a slut,” Ted said and took two big gulps from his mug.
“I’m not interested in dating.”
“Sex. Are you interested in sex, at least?” Ted asked so loudly that the bartender and a guy sitting next to them looked over.
“He’s my brother. I’m trying to get him out of the life of celibacy,” Ted explained.
The bartender snickered, and the patron just turned his head.
David coldly looked at Ted. “Are you done alerting everyone to the details of my social life?”
“Sorry, man. It’s just, for the past two years I’ve watched you die before my eyes. What happened to that happy-go-lucky guy who was my kid brother?”
“He grew up,” David answered and twirled around on his barstool. His mouth dropped open when he saw Trish standing at the door with a guy who looked like a college student. The guy had on a fraternity jacket and black jeans. Trish wore a tight purple angora sweater with leather pants that hugged her in all the right places. “Damn.”
“What?” Ted turned to look where David was staring. “Hey, is that Trish Truman?”
“Unfortunately,” David mumbled and reached for his glass.
Ted let out a deep chuckle. “This is going to be fun. Hey, Trish! Over here!”
“What are you doing?” David asked.
“Livening up the evening,” Ted answered and grabbed his beer.
David was incredulous. Her outfit was entirely inappropriate for a first date - for any date. She was advertising for attention.
Trish and her date walked to them. “Teddy!”
They embraced.
Ted gave her a kiss on the cheek. “You look good enough to eat. Who’s ya friend?”
“This is Jamal Jackson. Jamal this is Teddy Shaw, the best P.I. in the state,” she proudly said.
“Well, maybe in town, but not the state. Nice to meet you,” Ted said and shook Jamal’s hand. “What are you doing here?”
“We were supposed to eat at the Bullock Café, but the place was packed. There was a forty-five-minute wait,” Trish answered.
David grunted. “If she’s your date for the evening, kid, you have my condolences.”
“Jamal, this sorry sap, who is dressed like a sack lunch, is David Shaw, Teddy’s brother,” she sternly said.
Ted laughed. “Oh boy, I’m sure the office is full of some interesting days with you two in it.”
“Try to behave yourself this evening. We wouldn’t want your case jeopardized,” David said with a deep voice.
The college student’s eyebrows shot up, and his eyes widened. He rubbed the back of his fade. “Case?”
A brunette approached them. “Your table is ready.”
“I’ll tell you about it,” she said to Jamal. “We have to go, guys. Enjoy your evening…Teddy,” Trish said – making it clear to David she had nothing more to say to him.
“You, too,” Ted replied.
The waitress led Trish and Jamal away.
“What was that about?” Ted asked.
“What?”
“It’s obvious she’s on a date. Why did you bring up her divorce?”
“I didn’t - would have been a breach of confidentiality. I brought up a case. I didn’t say what it was about,” David said and sipped his scotch.
“I can’t believe you are still mad at her for beating you up all those years ago.”
“She didn’t beat me up,” David said defensively.
“I was there, remember? You couldn’t blame her. Poor thing was what? Twelve when you kicked that snake on her.”
“It was an accident, and she was a little older than twelve I believe.”
“People have been known to apologize for accidents you know. Have you tried to apologize to her about that?”
“I tried.”
Ted’s head leaned back slightly “When?”
“Years ago. I came home for the holidays, and she and Robert were still living in Clary. I bumped into them on Main Street. I guess they were shopping. I took the opportunity to explain and apologize. Do you know what that stubborn, cold-hearted fireball said?”
“What?”
“She told me to eat shit and die, then she stalked off into one of the shops leaving Robert and me perplexed on the sidewalk.”
Ted’s laughter was heard above the bar noise. “Oh, Trish is a fiery little thing when she wants to be. If it doesn’t work out with her and this guy maybe I’ll ask her out,” he teased.
David’s shoulders tingled. The last thing he needed was Ted making Trish one of his chicks. “The hell you will,” David said more sternly than he meant, too.
“Whoa! Easy tiger. I’m just joking. I know you’ve laid your claim.”
David’s eyebrow cocked up. “Laid my claim?”
“I noticed your expression when she walked in with that guy, and how you reacted to her. Insulting her in front of her date? Admit it. You’re jealous.”
“I am not.”
“Are, too.”
“Am not.”
“Are, too.”
David didn’t like the thought of his brother and his enemy cozying up to together- that was all. “Am not.”
“Are, too.”
She was too good for Ted anyway. Trish was too strong of a female for his brother. Her courage and fearlessness would turn him off anyway. “Am not.”
“Are, too,” Ted said and sipped his beer.
She needed a man who could handle her – why was he thinking about what kind of man his client needed? David shook his head. “I loathe the woman. The only reason I’m concerned is because I don’t want her to jeopardize her case. There’s a lot of money on the line. Money I need to keep my practice going.”
“I think you protest too much.”
David shook his head with defiance. “Her and I are like oil and water. She’s driving me crazy at the office.”
“Then fire her,” Ted said.
David almost shook at the suggestion. “I can’t do that. She’s working off her retainer and…”
“And?”
“She’s a good worker. She’s efficient…and,” David scrambled for another excuse.
“And sexy,” his brother finished for him.
“I- I didn’t notice,” David said.
“You’re celibate, not dead. Then again… you may as well be. Look if it gets too hot for you, she can come work for me. You’ll still get the remainder of your retainer.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good. And while you’re keeping things in mind, think about dating. Have you ever heard the expression ‘use it or lose it?’”
David shook his head at his brother’s comments and glanced across the room, watching Trish smile at her date.
Chapter 7
Three weeks later, the first day of the Manley trial had finally arrived. This was the biggest case David has had in a year. David rushed to do last-minute preparations for the adoption trial that was scheduled to start in an hour and a half. Trish walked in David’s office with two file folders. She knelt down to file them in the two-drawer cabinet across from his desk. His eyes started from her brown stilettos and traveled up her calves to her thighs. They stopped to linger on her bottom, which was covered by a beige mini skirt. She stood up and left the office. His eyes watched the sway in her hips as she walked. David cleared his throat and looked back down at his briefs.
Trish came back in his office carrying four books. She turned around to face the bookcase. His eyes zeroed in on her generous apple bottom. When she reached up to put the books away, her skirt raised an inch - flas
hing more thigh and a black strap; which was obviously part of a garter belt. He began to fantasize what it would be like to put his hand on her thighs and raise her skirt to see what the garter belt looked like. What she looked like in it. His chest rose and fell like a starving animal ready to lunge.
David realized what he was doing and shook his head and jumped up from the chair. “Will you stop that?” he yelled.
Startled by his abrasiveness, Trish jumped and whirled around. Her big and innocent eyes stared at him like he slapped her. His jaw was clenched, and he was heaving. David’s eyes bulged when he noticed her buds were teasing him through her tight brown turtleneck.
“Stop it! Just stop it!” he angrily snapped at her.
Trish jumped again. Her hand flew up to her chest. Trish’s upper arms pressed against her side, which incidentally squeezed her borderline D cups together.
His mouth dropped open. She was daring him. He wasn’t going to back down. David whirled around the desk and strode to her like a coyote stalking his prey. Trish’s back pressed against the bookcase. He grabbed her upper arms and pulled her into a kiss. She let out a squeak. His tongue pried open her lips. As his tongue swirled around her juicy mouth, David pulled the bottom of her turtleneck from the waistband of her skirt. His hands glided up her bare waist to her bra. Trish grabbed the back of his shirt. He growled against her mouth as his large hands squeezed her breasts. David tore his mouth away from hers and shoved her turtleneck over her breasts. He bent his head down to them. Taking his index finger, David rounded the edge of a bra cup to expose her right breast. Her chest rose and fell with each breath. The dark lobe was hard, thick, and ripe. He licked it with the tip of his tongue, then he blew on it. Trish grabbed the edge of the bookshelf with her left hand.
David opened his mouth and took her gift. His lips and tongue teased and kissed her throbbing nipple. His hands squeezed her hips. She let out a long yearning moan that was like an aphrodisiac to him. She wanted more; he wanted more.
The phone rang, interrupting his morning delight. David slowly pulled his mouth away from her breast, letting the tip of her nipple drop last from between his lips. He quickly stood up straight and walked to the phone.
The Lawyer Page 3
