7 Months (Time for Love 8)

Marsha looked like what you would think of when you heard the word Grandma, but she’d never been married or had any kids. She often said the boys at the station were her kids, and had been working in her position as a dispatcher for the last forty years.

“Thanks, Marsha, it’s delicious,” I said, lifting my chin as I licked my fork.

“You’re welcome,” she replied, then looked around at all of the empty plates and added, “Now, off with the lot of you. I need to go home and get some beauty sleep.”

Everyone rose and did what Marsha said, clearing their plates as they left, not wanting to incur her wrath if a mess was left behind.

“Who’s up for a beer?” Doobie asked, and when everyone made noises of agreement, I felt warmth spread through me. “C’mon, birthday boy, you can leave your baby behind and ride with me. I’ll be your DD tonight.”

“Thanks, Ty,” I replied, even though I knew I wouldn’t have too many drinks tonight. I was on shift tomorrow and then had my birthday dinner at Brock and Victoria’s tomorrow night.

“Anytime, partner,” he said, and the warmth settled in my gut.

Chapter Four ~ Ming

To say I’d been disappointed when Brady texted me that he wasn’t coming over last night would be an understatement, but, unfortunately, I was used to it.

At least I’d gotten a good night’s sleep and had made it into work extra early. I was making great headway on my current case, and was hopeful that this would be the one that secured me a position as partner in my firm.

I was one of, if not the, best prosecutors in town. I knew it, my peers knew it, and the partners knew it, and I was ready to finally achieve a goal that had been set for me by my parents since I was old enough to say the word lawyer.

“I’m running out to grab a quick bite,” I told my assistant, checking the clock as I pushed through the double doors and waited for the elevator.

It was Brady’s birthday, and even though our relationship wasn’t the type where we celebrated milestones or even exchanged Christmas presents, I’d seen the perfect gift in town and just had to get it for him.

Bronagh had invited me to his birthday party at Brock’s. I was lucky to have been brought into their family, along with Bronagh, when she and Brendan got together, so I was always invited to all of their family gatherings.

I couldn’t deny that it stung when Brady didn’t invite me. It didn’t surprise me, but it did make me feel less than welcome, since it was his day they were celebrating. So, I told myself that I’d stop in, wish him Happy Birthday, and say hello to everyone, then make my excuses to leave.

If Brady actually wanted me there, I assumed he’d say something, and I didn’t want to crash his party. But since I also didn’t want to be rude to my friends, I’d take the gift. I did want to see him on his birthday, after all.

After picking up his present, I grabbed a sandwich then headed back to the office and once again submersed myself in work.

A throat clearing in my doorway had me looking up from my notes. One of my co-workers, Christian, was leaning against the doorjamb, his hands in the pockets of his expensive suit.

“Ah … A couple of us were going to go out for drinks later. Thought I’d see if you wanted to come along,” he said, looking uncharacteristically nervous.

I took in his perfectly styled hair and well-toned body, and thought how pleased my parents would be if I brought a man like him home. Of course, they’d like it more if he were Japanese, but liked to think of themselves as progressive parents. Christian had the looks, the style, the successful white collar job, and was probably a couple years older than me.

The total package.

“Thanks,” I replied with a small smile and shake of my head. “I have a party to attend for a friend, then I’ve got some more work to do.”

Christian tried to hide his disappointment, but I saw it flash across his features. He’d been inviting me out for a few weeks now, and I’d always made excuses for why I couldn’t go. As he nodded and turned to leave, I wondered if I was making a mistake not accepting his offer.

He was someone I not only had a lot in common with, but a man who was obviously interested in getting to know me better.

Even as the thought flitted through my head, I shook it out. I wasn’t ready to give up what I had with Brady yet, even if it was purely sexual.

I was so caught up in what I was doing that I was surprised to look

up and see it was already after six in the evening. I left my paperwork sprawled out where it was, eager not to move anything I needed when I was in such a good groove, and grabbed Brady’s present before locking my office behind me.

Our floor was quieter than usual, with most of the staff already gone for the day, but I could still see lights burning in a few of the offices of level 1 and level 2 lawyers, associates, and partners. More than likely, most of them would still be burning when I returned later that night.

Being a lawyer was definitely not a nine-to-five job; you had to do it because you loved it or you’d get burnt out fast.

I noted all the usual cars as I parked outside of Brock and Victoria’s Spanish-style home. Brady’s car wasn’t there, but he lived just down the street, so he probably walked. No, I’d never been invited to his house, but that didn’t mean I’d never driven by and seen it from the outside. Not in a stalkery way, of course, but I passed it on my way out of the neighborhood. Simply logistics.