Hard Hit (IceCats 3)
Way to go, Jay. Fall for the first time in years, and it’s worthy of being a “complicated” kind of relationship.
That bothers me greatly, too. There is nothing complicated about Kirby. He’s so easygoing, so supportive and kind. Beyond hot and extremely successful in his career. Great dad, great man, and he cares. Not just about his child or me, but others. He has gone above and beyond for Evan Adler, and the more he talks about it, the more irresistible I find him. He makes it incredibly easy to be with him, so dealing with this other shit is aggravating.
“How’s your current caseload?”
I place my glass on the table. “It’s okay. I have one that is stressful. Dealing with an heiress to a multimillion-dollar company isn’t always easy. Her father has everything so locked down, and it’s all so clearly spelled out. No loopholes that I can find. One of his demands is that she has to be married by the time she’s thirty in order for her to get the rest of the money.” Feliciana’s brows come in, and I nod. “Exactly. It’s not like twenty percent either. It’s a solid 85%, so it’s been kind of crazy. She wants to marry someone off the street, but her father said she has to be with him for a year before she can divorce. I’m telling you, it’s all so crazy and so eighteenth century,” I add with a chuckle, and she grins.
“That sounds like a blast.”
“It really is. I don’t envy her, that’s for sure.”
“I doubt you would, but then women like us wouldn’t find ourselves in that kind of situation.”
I know what she means. We are very much women who don’t depend on anyone, but still, I say, “Right? If only my mom had married a prince from Dubai.”
“Very true,” she says with a grin as her laughter subsides. “How are your parents?”
“Great. My dad is on a golfing trip, and my mom is considering divorce because he didn’t get her tires checked before he left like she’d asked.”
Still smiling wide, she nods. “Your mother is something.”
“That’s the truth. Have you had time for spades lately?”
She shakes her head. “Actually, no. Not with the girls. I’ve been very busy.”
I hold out my glass to her. “What else is new?”
She smiles, nodding since it’s the truth. We’re always busy. But something moves across her face, and she says, “This may be surprising, but I’m dating someone.”
That catches me off guard. “Really? When did this happen?”
“Almost a year now.”
“A year!” I say, shocked. “No way! How did I not know?”
She grins. “Well, I’ve kept it very quiet, but I am no longer able to do that.”
“No?”
“No, my—” She hesitates, much to my confusion. I have never seen her struggle with her words or even what she wants to say. “My girlfriend has given me an ultimatum. I either include her, or I watch her walk out of my life.”
I try so hard not to seem surprised or even shocked by this revelation, but my face does what it wants. I almost can’t believe I heard her right. I have seen her date men, I seem to recall she almost married a man at some point, but then I remember this isn’t about me. This is about her. “Well, I can’t blame her. No one wants to be hidden or even put on the back burner. I know good and well you’d throw a fit if you felt like you weren’t included.”
She nods, her lips curving. “You’re absolutely right.”
“Exactly. What’s her name? Do I know her?”
Feliciana smiles so widely at me. “Actually, you do. Landry Maltin, from accounting.”
“She did my taxes last year,” I say, grinning at her. “Are you happy?”
“Beyond.”
I take her hand in mine. “That’s wonderful. Don’t forget, they say the significant other trumps work.”
Her eyes widen jokingly as she squeezes my hand. “From experience, I can assure you that’s the God’s honest truth.”
We share a laugh, and I hope she feels supported. I want nothing more than for Feliciana to be happy. She is such a great boss, such a powerful lawyer and mentor. I adore her.
As lunch continues with no mention of the Willa shit or her client whom I am currently sleeping with, I’m relieved, but I do feel some guilt. Maybe I should have told her about Kirby. Share my own happiness with her, but I convince myself I don’t because I didn’t want to overshadow her happiness.
No, I wanted to let her shine because once I start speaking of Kirby, I’ll be as bright as Celeste’s gorgeous grin.
When I arrive at Kirby’s place, I am thankful for two things.
One, it’s Celeste’s nap time.
And two, that I came in what I did.
My little detour to my place to change into the smuttiest lingerie set that I own, which is crotchless and doesn’t hide my nipples, was probably the best decision I’ve made in a long time. Because when I walk through the door, my eyes locking with Kirby’s, he doesn’t even have time to get off the couch before I drop my knitted cardigan to the floor, revealing the scraps of lace that adorn my body.