Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 43749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
“Come on, teapot. You know we work well together.”
“Teapot?” Kristin asks as she deposits a plate of food between us.
“It’s because—” I start to explain, but Bronte cuts me off.
“Mr. Fancy Suits says when I get all steamed up, I shout.”
I can hear the waitress giggling as she walks away, and somehow that annoys Bronte further. Why is she so damn cute when she’s pissed?
“Are my suits fancy?”
“You know they are. And I’m not working for you.” She grabs a French fry and points it at me. “Again.”
“Name your price.” I lean a little closer, and her eyes widen. “I’ll even toss in a few fancy suits for you to wear.”
“That’s only because you don’t like my sweaters.” She rolls her eyes, but I don’t miss the way she bites her bottom lip.
She’s currently wearing a yellow cardigan that has buttons shaped like lemons, and there’s cursive stitching over her heart that says squeeze the day.
“I like them a little too much,” I mumble to myself and then clear my throat. “Fine, I’ll buy you yarn to knit all the sweaters you want.”
She sighs as she pushes the empty plate of fries away from her. “I like working from home.”
“No you don’t.” The accusation makes her look at me again, and maybe that’s why I always poke at her. It feels like the only time she has her eyes on me, and if I’m honest, it’s the only time I feel alive.
“Yes I do.” She raises her chin in defiance, and I can feel my blood heat.
This is the Bronte I fell in love with. The first day she came to my office, I was done for. Her spine was straight, her shoulders were back, and she was all too eager to tell me where to stick my arrogance. Never had I been so completely undone by someone, but this tiny little thing came in and put me in my place so easily it was like I’d been waiting for her to do it. Now I can’t seem to function without her by my side.
I pushed her too hard and too fast, and she ran for the hills. I guess it’s too bad I followed her over them. Not only did I hunt her down in the middle of nowhere, but I set up shop. I also might have paid off a few other law firms to release her from her contracts. What can I say? If anything, I’m determined.
Bronte busted into my life with unruly curls, loud colors, and a disposition so sweet everyone adored her. Then she ran out on me and left my life cold and meaningless. This is fair play as far as I’m concerned.
“You can lie to yourself, teapot, but you can’t lie to me.” I lick the sauce off my thumb, and I see the way she watches my mouth. “I know you hate being in that house all alone day after day. You need sunlight. Come work for me and you can have any office you want.”
“Fine, I want yours.” I know she’s saying it to piss me off, but it makes me grin from ear to ear.
“Deal.” I take out my wallet and leave enough cash to cover this meal twice over.
“Wait, no, I was joking.” She starts to protest when I get up from the table.
To be a good lawyer, you have to be able to win an argument. What most people don’t realize is that sometimes to win an argument all you have to do is shut up at the right moment.
“See you in the morning, teapot.” I wink at her and ignore everything else she says as I stride out the door.
Chapter Three
BRONTE
I fix my gaze on the front door of Marcus's office. Why did he have to pick this spot? I have always thought it would make the perfect office space for a lawyer. It’s tucked away nicely in the center of town, but the front windows face outside so you can see people as they pass by. It’s also right next to the bakery. The idea of popping in each morning on my walk into work had me daydreaming of making it a reality. It’s like he climbed inside my imagination to make it come true. Only Marcus can’t seem to get it exactly right.
The blinds are closed on all the windows, and even the glass on the door is covered. I’m sure they might need to be closed when there are clients visiting, but why is it shut so tightly right now? Being locked down like this means no one can get the tiniest peek inside.
I pull at the collar of my cardigan. Today it’s pink with hearts on it to go with the dress I’d gotten for Valentine's. It’s not Valentine's yet, but I wanted to wear it nonetheless. I wonder what Marcus will think of it. I huff, annoyed with my own thoughts of him.