Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 42829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Mack was instantly at the table. Grey could tell he’d overheard Simone but didn’t react other than a tightening of his features as he squatted down to collect the mess on the floor and wipe up the juice. Simone watched with a sour look on her formerly pleasant face.
As Mack stood, she leaned in and announced loudly to Grey, “It looks like Armando’s going to be throwing him out soon.”
“Mack, thank you for helping us with the unfortunate accident. Could you give us a few minutes?”
“Of course, sir. My apologies for placing the lemons in a dangerous spot.” The server reached toward his hair before he caught himself and lowered that hand.
“A few minutes, Mack,” Grey answered, cutting off Simone’s unpleasant answer to that apology.
“Of course.”
When he was gone, Grey looked at Simone and stood. He held out his hand. “Thank you for your time. I’m afraid you won’t be a good fit in my firm. I wish you great luck in finding a law practice that more closely aligns with your interests.”
She stood automatically, looking confused. “The interview is over?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not going to consider me for a position?”
“I am not. Thank you for your time.” Grey waited for her to reveal herself further.
After staring at him for a full second, Simone threw her cloth napkin on the table and spit, “You’re making a mistake. I’ll see you in court.”
“Thank you for your time,” he repeated for the third time, knowing that even in twenty years, she would not have the self-control to beat him at trial.
Grey did not watch her stalk out angrily from the restaurant. His attention was on the waiter, who rushed to his side.
“There’s no charge for your drinks, sir. I’d appreciate if you’d come back and give me another chance to impress you, sir.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Mack. And you’ve already made an impression on me. As well as saving me from a very costly mistake. Would you bring me a basket of bread and a plate of whatever the chef has on special today?”
“Of course. Could I bring you a fresh drink? Maybe one with a splash of vodka or gin this time?”
“That would be a good idea if I wasn’t headed to court in a couple of hours. Next time.”
“Understood. I’ll get your order in, Mr. Bradford.”
“Thank you, Mack.”
As always, the food was exquisite and the atmosphere serene and welcoming, erasing the bad vibes left by the unpleasant applicant. Grey set down his fork with regret that he couldn’t finish the last few bites. Before he could look up, Mack appeared at his side.
“Is there anything else I can get you, sir?”
“Call me Grey, Mack. Put my bill on this, please,” he requested, passing along his credit card.
“Of course, s… Of course, Grey.”
As the intriguing young man walked away, Grey steeled himself from checking out his body. This wasn’t the time or the place. Mack could call him Grey until he was ready to call him something else. That thought made the corners of his mouth curl up.
When Mack returned to get Grey’s signature, the server wished him a good day and good luck in court.
“Thank you, Mack. I hope my luck holds out.”
“You’ve been on a roll lately in court?” Mack asked with a smile.
“I’m referring to my luck in meeting you, Mack.” Grey reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card. “Call me if you ever need help or if you’d like to spend some time together. I’ve looked for my Little for years.”
A panicked look confirmed what Grey suspected. Mack started to reach toward his hair in a move that Grey now recognized as distress. Again, Mack stopped himself and forced words out of his mouth. “I appreciate the card, sir.”
“Grey, Mack. I don’t mean you any harm. Your secret is safe with me.”
The waiter nodded automatically and hurried away.
Grey watched him disappear, allowing himself to smile fully. He signed the bill, adding a hefty tip that wouldn’t seem offensive if Mack wasn’t wired the way Grey hoped he was.
Armando stuck his head out the door to the kitchen as Grey passed on his way to the door. “Did Mack treat you right?”
“He did. I’ll request to be in his section next time. Excellent special, Armando. You should put that on the menu permanently.”
“Perfect. He’s impressed everyone. And thank you, my friend. If I put everything you liked on the menu, it would be forty-five pages long,” Armando joked.
“And there’s something wrong with that?” Grey joked back before adding, “See you next time.”
Grey headed back to his office to review his next case. Somehow, he knew he was going to win this one. Luck was on his side.
CHAPTER 2
As the well-dressed silver fox walked out, Mack watched from the servers’ stand. Little? Mack had considered his disguise to be excellent. He’d checked to make sure Poutine hadn’t escaped from his bun immediately. The miniature stuffie seemed to be securely hidden in his hair.