Page 13 of Finding Redemption

“You only volunteered at the crisis center to try to gain the upper hand, didn’t you?” I accuse.

“No, I didn’t. I’m there for my own reasons. I, obviously like you, had no clue you were my opposition.” He’s warped if he thinks I’m going to believe him.

I hold up my hand to stop him. “Ya know what, I don’t give a fuck. Stay away from me and stay away from the center.”

He steps closer to me, invading my space and my senses. Even the good ones. “Let me be clear, Miss Morgan. I have no interest in being around you any more than I have to, and I will continue to volunteer at the crisis center. Do you understand?”

I swallow hard, trying to calm my racing pulse caused by his close proximity. “Perfectly.” I step around him, but again—with all my judgment failing me—I can’t stop myself. Whirling around, I leer at him. “Let me be clear, there will never be a time I would want you to be interested in me nor will I ever be interested in you.” Spinning on my heels, I jerk the door open and hurry from the room. And Walker Pennington.

3

Reese storms from the room and before I can follow her, Lachlan walks through the door. “Walker?”

“Lachlan.” I grind my teeth, trying to compose myself.

“Who’s the lass?” He motions to the closing door Reese just bolted from.

I throw my briefcase on the table, my blood boiling. “Reese Morgan. She volunteers at Lea’s crisis center that your girlfriend told me about.” I glare at him, pounding the side of my leg with my fist. “She’s infuriating. She gets under my skin at every turn, irritating me like a fucking rash.”

“Don’t hold back. Tell me how you really feel.” Lachlan crosses his arms over his chest.

“She accused me of volunteering at the center to get close to her for this case. Can you believe her? Arrogant, self-righteous, goody-two-shoes. Who in the hell does she think she is?” My chest heaves with anger, my lips flattening into a thin line.

“First– calm down. There’s no thinking clearly when you’re this angry. Second—does she realize who Maisyn is?” he questions with a frown. I know he’s concerned for his girl, but no one would ever guess they were together.

“I can’t calm down.” I glare at him. “I don’t believe so. There’s no way in hell she would be friendly with Maisyn, if so.”

Lachlan pulls his phone from his pocket and begins to text. He’s probably letting Maisyn know. “Can you work with her?”

“The question is… will she work with me?” I crack my knuckles to relieve some pent-up tension.

“Make it work. I trust your judgment.” Lachlan finishes his text, shoving his phone back in his pocket. “Maisyn had no clue. She’s concerned whether Reese’ll return to help out.”

“If I know one thing, she won’t quit.” I sigh heavily. “And by God, I won’t either.”

“This just got interesting.” Lachlan smirks.

“Glad to be the comic relief,” I answer snidely.

“Not at all, Walker,” he says with a furrowed brow. “I see two people wanting the same things but in a different way. Two passionate, caring, intelligent people wanting to make a difference. It would be amazing if you could find a happy medium, for all of us.”

“Happy?” I chuckle. “I can assure you, there will never be a time Reese Morgan will be happy.”

“I hope you’re wrong for both our sakes.” Lachlan grabs the door handle. “Time to be charming.”

“Prince Charming couldn’t make her happy.”

He laughs. “Well, then, kill her with kindness.”

“Oh, I could think of plenty of ways to kill her.” I jerk my briefcase from the table. “Come to think of it, kindness might be the best way.”

“There’s the Walker I know and love.” He pats me on the back as we step out of the room.

“Wait until you get my bill.” Lachlan laughs loudly, and I chuckle. “I’m not kidding.” He laughs even louder as we walk from the courthouse.

I jump in my Tahoe and head to the office, Reese Morgan not far from my mind. “If she’s the enemy, I better be ready for war,” I mutter to myself before placing a call to my brother as soon as I park.

“What’s up?” Riley’s always so flippant.