Hard Hit (IceCats 3)

“Yes, but you fell for him practically the day you met him.”

“I did not!”

“You did. You just ignored those feelings.”

“Takes one to know when someone is ignoring feelings, Jaylin.”

“Wow, that was sharp.”

“I may be an emotional mess, but I’m still Aviva.”

“You sure the hell are,” I laugh, shaking my head. I still can’t believe I said that. “Anyway—”

“Nope, we need to elaborate on these feelings for Kirby.”

I scoff. “Sorry. Unfortunately, I have to finish work so I can hang with my best friend tonight.”

“Fine, fine. I’ll bring sandwiches for dinner and wine for you. Stupid water for me.”

“Not too much longer, bestie.”

“Thank God. See you tonight.”

“See you,” I say happily as I hang up. I stare at the phone, thinking over what we just discussed. Aviva may be an emotional mess, but she’s right. I may need to tell Feliciana. The unknown keeps me from jumping up and doing that. Though, I know Feliciana, and she knows me. She may be my boss, but we have such powerful respect between us. I want to believe she’d be supportive, but not knowing if she would or not freaks me out.

Nope. I’ll wait this one out. I honestly don’t think Willa will say anything. I think she’s too scared to, not that I blame her. I wasn’t the nicest when she said what she said. Not that I would ever do anything to her, but I know good and well Feliciana would choose me over Willa any time of the day. I pray it doesn’t come down to that, though. That’s entirely too much drama for me.

I go back to work, and once I finish with my contract, I email it to my assistant to be sent to the client. I move on to my next case, making sure everything is correct and ready for court tomorrow. I only have two cases tomorrow, so I hope to meet Kirby and Celeste for lunch as we planned. I’m on my second case when my phone rings once more.

“Ms. Raventorn, I sent those files over to the women’s shelter, and I confirmed both clients for tomorrow’s court appearances.”

“Fantastic. Thank you.”

“Also, there is a Ms. Jean Espinoza on line one for you.”

I’m surprised by that. Why didn’t she call my cell? I look at my cell to see that she did, but it was on silent. She called four times. Fuck. “Thank you,” I say and click over to line one. “Hey, Jean. Sorry, my phone was on silent.”

“I’m the one who should be apologizing. I hate calling you at work, but I need help.”

I jump into fix-it mode. I’m standing, holding the phone to my ear. “What’s wrong? Is Celeste okay?”

“Yes. She’s fine,” she says quickly. “Sorry, I don’t mean to alarm you, but my dad is really sick, and my oldest sister has called me to come see him. I’m not sure what is going on. He has pneumonia or something, and I need to go check on him.”

I reach for my purse and then my case files. “I’m leaving. I’ll be there ASAP.”

Relief fills her voice. “I can’t thank you enough.”

“No need. This is what you do for people you care for,” I say, not saying what Aviva said but in very much the same spirit.

Her voice breaks. “Thank you.”

“Don’t even. See you in a bit.”

I hang up, gather my things, and power down, just as a knock sounds on my door. I look up to find Feliciana in my doorway. My stomach drops as she says, “Heading out early?”

“Yes, actually. My friend’s dad is sick, and she needs me to take care of…” I pause. What do I say here? Fuck it. “Of my boyfriend’s daughter. She’s actually his nanny, and she needs me to help out.”

Her brow perks. “I’ve never known you to, one, have a boyfriend, or two, leave in the middle of the day. But I’m finding out you’ve been leaving early a lot.”

I swallow hard. “I know, but my work is done, so I think I’m doing all right. But if I’m not, please let me know,” I say, stepping around my desk. “I really need to go. Do we need to set up a meeting?”

She eyes me. “I don’t know. Do we?”

I hold her gaze. “I don’t know. You came to my office. Something you don’t do.”

She smiles, her dark gaze playful. “I was passing by when I saw you packing up. Figured I’d pick on you.”

We share a grin. “Well, thanks for freaking me out!” I laugh, and she grins. “I really need to go. She’s panicking right now, and I want to alleviate some of her stress.”

“Okay, but can I take you to lunch tomorrow, catch up, since I’m behind on a boyfriend?”

I pause. Damn it. “Yes, that would be wonderful.”

“Great,” she says before taking my wrist and looking me in the eye. “I’m happy for you.”