The next day at work, Charlotte’s supervisor, Yvonne, handed her two new case files.
Yvonne spoke quickly and to the point. “This one’s a civil appeal. The original attorney left the firm, so it’s been reassigned to you. The appeal deadline is coming up fast. You’ll need to draft the appeal brief and get everything submitted to the court today.”
She handed over the second file. “This one’s a workplace injury case. You’ll need to take the client for an official injury assessment and a disability evaluation. Try to get it done today or tomorrow. Tomorrow’s Friday, so don’t push it to next week.”
Charlotte took the folders and nodded. “Got it. No problem.”
It was her second day on the job, and she already had cases to handle. This really was the top law firm in Jersey City.
She didn’t mind the workload. Having active cases meant commissions, and more importantly, hands–on experience.
She reviewed the case files and spoke with the clients. Both cases were fairly complex. She scheduled the injury evaluation for the next day and focused on finishing the appeal today.
By the time she wrapped up, the sky outside was completely dark.
The office was quiet. Everyone else had gone home. Charlotte hadn’t even had time for dinner.
She tidied her desk, turned off the lights, locked up, and stepped out into the night.
Her apartment was only a ten–minute walk from the office, so she walked to and from work every day.
Her phone rang. It was Sean.
“Lottie, are you home yet?”
“I just left the office. Heading back now.”
“Have you eaten?”
“Not yet. I was planning to order something once I got
home.”
Sean chuckled. “Miss Riley your food delivery is en route.”
“What? You ordered for me?”
His voice was low and playful. “Your delivery guy is Sean Jasper, on his way to your building now.”
Charlotte let out a laugh. “You’re delivering it yourself?”
“Yep.” Sean’s voice was soft and warm. “I’m almost there. Should reach your building in about fifteen minutes.
Fifteen minutes perfect timing. It would take her ten minutes to walk back.
Sean was nothing if not precise.
In Charlotte’s memory, he had never been the type to joke around. Hearing him call himself her delivery guy? That was miles away from the cold, aloof Sean Jasper she used to know.
But these past few days, something had shifted.
He was… different.
The mood had lightened thanks to his teasing tone. Charlotte couldn’t help but smile as she playfully quipped, “You sure you didn’t plant a tracker on me, Mr. Jasper? Because that would be a privacy violation.”
Sean’s voice dropped, low and smooth. “Then what’s Attorney Riley going to do? Arrest me? I’ll gladly surrender… at your mercy.”
Especially that last part-“at your mercy.” Sean deliberately slowed his voice, the deep, velvety tone laced with quiet seduction. The way he said it made Charlotte’s cheeks burn.
Charlotte cleared her throat quickly, trying to cover her fluster. “You probably shouldn’t talk and drive. Distracted driving is dangerous.”
Sean chuckled. “I’m not driving. My driver is.”
Charlotte was rendered speechless.
They chatted the whole way as she walked, her voice light and full of laughter. She was so focused on the call, she didn’t notice the figure
1/2
Chapter 32
standing under the tree just outside her building.
“Charlotte.”
The deep voice cut through the darkness, cold and sharp.
She stopped in her tracks.
It was Zac.
+25 Bonus
