Page 58 of Trials of a One Night Stand
“So?” Cliff asks.
“Sorry.” I look at Cliff and shake my head, trying to rid it of my own private porn show.
“Was it a heavy night?” he repeats.
“No.” I shift in my chair to give Cliff my full attention. “Just a strange night. I was thinking about what you told me about the shell companies.”
“That’s understandable. I must admit I slept like a baby, though it was crowded with my wife, dog, and cat all wanting to be close to me.”
I feel a twinge of envy. I’d love to have Jayne close to me every night. Hell, a dog and a cat sound pretty good too. We could even get our own sugar glider, except that might make Buttercup jealous, and I wouldn’t want that. Maybe if I follow Zelda’s, Max’s, Bradley’s, and Sam’s lead and stop prioritizing work, a relationship—or more—might happen. With a baby on the way, something will have to change. Honestly, almost everything needs to change.
At that thought, I can’t resist glancing at Jayne, and that makes me wonder if I’m a fucking idiot. I’m waiting for today’s trial to begin, but all I can think about is having her in my bed—or being in hers—each night. If anything, that tells me I’m already not putting Zentello first as usual. That should concern me more than it does.
After a couple of minutes, movement in my periphery distracts me. I turn to see Jayne standing up.
My stomach churns. Does she have morning sickness?
She doesn’t hurry away. Instead, she looks right at us, places her hands on the table, and leans toward Cliff. “Bathroom break. No need to get excited thinking I might quit the case.”
Whoa. I hadn’t expected her to say that. She’s talking to Cliff, but I wonder if the words are meant for me. Did she not find what his investigator had found? Does it mean I should give her the name of the umbrella company? I’m not sure how to take what she said.
Cliff snickers. “The thought never entered my head.”
I try to keep my face passive, not giving away how much I want her to quit, not being an attorney but this case. That would make things so much easier. Of course, I’d also like to bend her over the table right here, but that’s not going to happen. Still, she looks hot in black ankle-length pants and a cream silk blouse. She’s wearing her hair up again with pearl earrings dangling from her lobes. Elegant and stylish. I can’t help but notice everything about her.
As she walks away, Cliff leans closer. “If they manage to win this case, it’ll be because of her.”
I gulp, and my gaze shoots to him. My heart thuds hard at losing. “You think they might win?”
“God, no,” Cliff says emphatically. “I’m just saying if they did. They won’t, though.”
I breathe a sigh of relief and turn to watch Jayne exit the courtroom. When I turn back, my cell phone buzzes with a text notification. As Cliff busies himself with his phone, I glance at the screen. It’s from Jayne. My chest tightens as I tilt my phone away from him and read the message.
Baby Mama: This would be a great place if the famous Holmes needed somewhere to stay. It may be a place to create new memories if you check it out at seven this evening. One more clue is something you’d love to do with me? At least I would love to do this with you. Hopefully, the street will be more pleasant than its namesake.
I try not to smile too big. She clearly wants to meet up later but won’t make it easy for me. I reread the text three times and then pull up a map of the city. I have no clue what I’m looking for, so I might as well be trying to find the proverbial needle in a haystack.
Think, Lowe.
I search for a Baker Street. That’s where Sherlock Holmes lived, and when that turns up nothing solid, I search for Watson and Holmes—another dead end.
When Jayne returns from the bathroom, she ignores me. I assume this is on purpose, so I don’t mind that much. I just hope she hasn’t been sick again. Some women experience hyperemesis gravidarum—something I’ve been reading about, and I want to bring up with her OB, just in case.
“What the hell is Grierson doing?” Cliff mutters as he looks at his watch.
“No idea.”
“The clerk said she’ll be another half hour.” He sighs heavily. “I could have had another cup of coffee with my breakfast.”
As Cliff returns to his phone, I lean forward and peek at Jayne. She’s writing while Lucas Matthews appears to be sleeping—stupid, overconfident prick.
I rack my brain as I search, but no location where I should meet Jayne comes up. What is she trying to tell me? I’m brilliant, so why can’t I figure out her clue? I keep hearing she’s smart, and she handles all her witnesses skillfully, but I’m a scientist. Surely, my logic skills are on par with hers. I have to do something to figure this out.
I clear my throat. Loudly.
Jayne doesn’t even pause. I could write a note and throw it at her. The distance between the opposing tables isn’t that wide, but someone might notice. I cough, hoping to alert Jayne.
“You need to suck on a mint or something?” Cliff asks.
