Page 89 of Redemption Ridge Vol II

Cynthia snorted and slapped a hand over her mouth. Her eyes widened like she’d committed a major crime against office etiquette. She recovered quickly enough and gave Seth the megawatt smile he associated with her. “That was the worst fight we’d ever had.”

“Worse than the time she made the cheer squad and you didn’t?”

“Oh, heavens, yes,” Cynthia said. “I really only tried out so we could be together. A double scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream got me over that disappointment.”

“Didn’t you both end up returning your dresses?” Seth asked.

Cynthia stopped in the hallway and turned to face him. “Yes, and we went together, so we didn’t repeat the same mistake. We always loved the same things—clothes, shoes, hairstyles, music, and movies. You name it.”

“Boys?” Seth asked with a raised brow.

Cynthia blushed but didn’t look away. “Even boys sometimes, but nothing really got between us for long.” She sounded in better spirits, but worry lines still marred her brow.

“Anything else going on?”

“I’m also stressed about my upcoming move.”

“What move?” Seth asked.

“Jeff and I broke up. He’s been nice enough to let me crash in his guest room until I found a new place.”

“Oh man. That’s gotta be awkward.” No wonder she didn’t seem like herself.

“It’s not been too bad.” Cynthia continued walking, and Seth followed her lead. “Jeff travels a lot for work, so he’s gone more than he’s home. I think that’s a big reason I couldn’t see our relationship advancing to marriage. I want a partner, not someone I see ten days out of thirty. Anyway, I found the perfect place and signed a lease. I need to get my stuff out of Jeff’s house, plus the things I put into storage when I moved in with him.”

“Need help? I’ve got a pickup truck and two capable hands.”

Cynthia perked up. “Seriously?”

“Absolutely. And I bet I can enlist Kerry’s help. We could strap a sofa on his broad shoulders.”

Cynthia giggled. “That sounds perfect. Thank you, thank you.”

Lyndhurst poked his head out of his office. Seth expected a scowl, but the prosecutor smiled in a way that made him feel like Tweety Bird squaring off against Sylvester. “I thought you two got lost. It’s serendipity that you showed up this morning because I wanted to talk to you as well.”

Serendipity? What kind of lawyer speak was that? And why did he care about the nature of Seth’s visit if he wanted to talk to him anyway? He decided not to waste energy on figuring out the man.

Lyndhurst shifted his attention to Cynthia, and his jovial smile melted into a frown. “You’ll make those phone calls for me first thing?”

She nodded stiffly. “I’ll start now.” Cynthia nodded at Seth before walking away.

“Come in, come in,” Lyndhurst said. “I think I’ve got a major development brewing with the Carsons.”

“I’m here to discuss them too.”

“You go first,” they said at the same time.

Lyndhurst grinned and gestured for Seth to go first so he didn’t skip a beat. “I assume Oliver Hawkins has contacted you about his podcast.”

The prosecutor furrowed his brow. “Isn’t that your ex-fiancé?”

Seth had hoped not to address that, but it seemed unavoidable. “Yes, but that’s not why I’m here.”

“I’m listening,” Tony said.

Seth made his case for a gag order as succinctly as possible, sticking to the biggest issues they faced, such as tainting the jury pool. “Surely, a judge will agree.”

“Already ahead of you, Burke.” Lyndhurst leaned back in his chair and crossed his wrists over his belly. “My team is already drafting a motion. If those assholes can flood the courthouse with filings, so can I.”