Page 40 of Love In Hiding

“Please,” she said. “You wreak controlling. Isn’t that what being an attorney is all about?”

“I’m not sure what book you’re reading, but it’s not something I learned in law school.”

Her head shook with the lift of her eyes. “You can’t tell me that most lawyers don’t have to control it all.”

“I can and I will. I’ve got plenty of lawyer friends who aren’t like that. Do you think Braylon is? How about your father?”

“They are exceptions.”

“And I can’t be one?” he asked. He wouldn’t be hurt over her words. Or her thoughts of him.

He wasn’t sure the last time he’d gotten his ego and pride stepped on so much.

She blew out a breath. “I keep putting my foot in my mouth with you.”

“Let’s just agree to put it behind us and start over. I want to grab another beer and sit on the balcony we’ve got to get some air. No way I can stay in that tiny room all night.”

“We can do that,” she said. “I’ll have another glass of wine. Might as well enjoy the night while there is daylight.”

The minute his ass hit the uncomfortable plastic chair on the balcony, he put the beer to his lips from the cheap glasses that he’d purchased. “Now this is the life.”

She burst out laughing. “Do you do that often?”

“What?”

“Look for the good in everything?”

He almost said he wasn’t doing it now, but that wouldn’t be calling a truce. “I guess so. There is enough in life to worry about that I don’t add to my list.”

“I said this before. That I know little about you and I feel as if you know more about me.”

“I don’t really know much more than what I could find online.”

“The same. So why did you leave your last job?” she asked.

“The short version is, it was time.”

“Which makes me think there were problems, but I also think you’re not the type to have issues at your job.”

“Did you just compliment me or insult me for being a rule follower?”

“Maybe a little bit of both,” she said, tilting her glass toward his and clinking them together.

“Fair. I got this new boss a few years ago. He was five years older than me, made partner at thirty-eight.”

“So you’re thirty-five or thereabout?”

“Thirty-five,” he said.

“And this new boss’s name?”

“Ryker.”

“Sounds like a dick.”

He laughed. “You said it. But as we know, I can get along with just about anyone.”

“Glad someone within five feet of me can.”