Roman-2(Lane Brothers, Book 5)(74)

“I have to leave for a meeting in five minutes. I want everything on the Anderson case on my desk tomorrow morning for the deposition, and make sure Harvey gets copies just in case he has to sit second chair. I don’t know what’s going on with Mia yet, and I can’t trust that little slacker, so make sure everything’s done for me.”

Bitch.

Mia is going on seven months pregnant and her doctor wants her on bed rest, since her workload has put a lot of strain on herlately. The fact that Abi doesn’t give a shit and has actually given her more work makes me wanna slap her senseless—well, more senseless than the twit already is—and tell Mia to get the hell out before these losers turn her into a revenant like them.

“Okay. Anything else?”

“Yeah, keep your legs closed and your mouth shut around Peter, or you can kiss your job goodbye. Now get the hell outta my office.”

Have I mentioned how much I hate her?

“You in trouble Beeeckyy?” Trish asks when I stomp back to my desk, her drawl irritating my frazzled nerves that last little bit that I need to completely lose my mind. “That boss lady of yours can be a real bitch.”

I don’t respond, because my mama taught me decent manners, but that doesn’t mean I disagree one little bit.

You need another job, Beck. Working for that viper isn’t gonna get you anywhere fast, and you know it.

Yeah, I do. I’ve been here going on three years, and I’m still at the bottom of the freaking totem pole. Not that I mind much, since I’ve sort of lost interest in law, and though I’m studying I have no interest in sitting for the bar exams. But gosh darn it, it irks me that I’m being looked over because of Abi’s jealousy.

Yeah, my life has turned into a real crap shoot, and to top it all off I’m going to be stuck in a car with the hottest man alive, for like, hours! How the heck I’m supposed to keep myself from looking like a drooling idiot is beyond me.

I’m literally a drooling mess at just the mention of his name, so being that close is definitely going to test my powers of coolness to the extreme.

Not that I’m cool or anything. I’m a little on the plump side, my hair is plain brown to go with my plain brown eyes, and I have freckles across my nose that no amount of makeup will get rid of.

In short—yeah,I’m short too—I am exactly the opposite of sexy, and so far out of Devon’s league it’s heartbreakingly sad.





Chapter Two


“You can do this, Beck. Just take a deep breath and plaster a smile on that face. Nod when necessary, and just pretend that you’re not practically pissing yourself when he comes through that gate.”

Easier said than done, I think, looking down at the dirty spot at my knee where I’d landed after tripping up the escalator and falling on my ass in front of a billion onlookers.

Oh yeah, maybe I should mention how clumsy I am. Always have been. I could fall wearing a freaking harness, and odds are I’d do it in a crowd.

“Well hey there, gorgeous. Please don’t break my heart by telling me you’re waiting on your significant other.”

I turn with a squeak and face plant into a brick wall, one that smells absolutely delicious and feels warm and….yummy. Two broad, steel bands shoot out and wrap around me, keeping me firmly planted on my feet and smashed against all that tasty hardness.

When I look up I practically have to roll my tongue back into my mouth, the guy is so hot. He’s about six one to my five two and so muscled his shirt looks like it’s painted on.

My eyes flit up and I blush, licking my lips in an unconscious need to taste the dimples that have popped out. Blue eyes the color of a winter sky smile down at me, and it’s a freaking miracle when I find myself smiling back instead of fish-lipping myself into mime school.

The guy is hooooot!

“Uh…”

“So are you?”

“Um, what?”

Cool, Beck. Just stay cool and you won't be making an ass of yourself.

“Are you gonna break my heart, gorgeous? Are you waiting on your man?”

The way he asks the question is so cute, especially with the way his lip pouts out and trembles beneath puppy dog eyes, that I can’t help but giggle and bat my eyes at him.

“You’re full of it. And no, I’m not waiting on my man, just a man,” I laugh, feeling the lie hit my stomach like a lead boulder. “My brother’s best friend is flying in.”

I’ve always considered Devon mine, always, even though we’re not even living on the same continent and despite the fact that he probably doesn’t even remember my name after the last time we’d seen each other four years ago.

Christ, the guy probably hasn’t thought of me once since leaving after a quick visit when Grey and Lila had their engagement party. I almost cringe just recalling the stumbling and clumsy hilarity that is me after two glasses of champagne.