Page 36 of Bone Deep
The bullpen outside has long since emptied. Most of the associates cleared out around six, the paralegals shortly after. Even the partners have disappeared.
Which leaves me.
Exactly how I prefer the final hour of the day.
One last sweep of emails. I roll my shoulders once and start working through them. Halfway through a reply, alight tappinghits my door. Before I can answer, it opens.
Dita slips inside and quietly shuts it behind her, leaning against the door. I raise a brow. “Yes?”
She’s smiling. Actually, she looksgiddy.
“Yeah, um…sorry to interrupt you,” she says, barely containing it. “But someone’s here to see you.”
Then she giggles.
I blink. Late visitors are unusual. A giggling Dita even more so. “Well?” I urge. “Who is it?”
Dita pushes off the door and walks up to my desk, leaning both hands on the edge.
“It’sRyan freaking Buterbaugh!” she whisper-shouts. “Is he a client?”
I lean back in my chair and drag both hands down my face. “No,” I say flatly. “He’s a nuisance.”
“Well,” she says, pushing off the edge of my desk, “he’s here to see you.” Then she fans herself dramatically. “And you should see what he’s wearing.”
I groan.
“Fine,” I mutter. “Send him in.”
She heads out, leaving the door open. From the hallway I hear muffled voices. Then Dita giggles again. My jaw ticks. A moment later she reappears and Ryan strolls in behind her. I narrow my eyes.
Ryan beams. “Heya Spence.”
I glare at him, but despite myself, my eyes take inventory. And I immediately regret it. He’s wearing thesluttiest pair of ultra-short gym shortsI’ve ever seen in my life. He’s paired them with a tank top so loose his massive pecs are practically falling out.
Miles of skin assault my senses without permission. I drag my gaze away and look at Dita. She’s still standing there, grinning like a fangirl. “That will be all, Dita.”
She straightens. “Yes, of course. I’ll be right out there if you need anything.”Then she slips out, leaving the door open.
I lean forward, elbows on my desk. “What are you doing here, Ryan?” I ask, waving vaguely in his direction. “And dressed likethat.”
He grins wider. “You’re coming to work out with me.”
“No the fuck I am not.”
“Yeah. You are,” he fires back, crossing his arms. “Come on. Gather your things.”
I stare at him. “Why do you want to work out with me?”
He shrugs. “Why wouldn’t I?” Then he nods toward the door. “C’mon. We can talk about that legal advice I need.”
“We can do that here.” I point to the chair in front of my desk. “If you’re serious.”
Ryan shakes his head. “Nope. Gym or no deal.” He gestures vaguely at me. “Clearly you use the gym. Why not rack up some billables at the same time?”
I sigh.
Jen’s voice echoes in my brain.
