I couldn't believe how quickly time flew when working with Hope. Her blue eyes seemed to be constantly watching me. I was unsure if it was curiosity or she expected me to screw something up. I knew my job like the back of my hand. My mentor, Steve Vusic, had taught me criminal law so well that it was like riding a bike. Hope seemed stressed about her lack of knowledge but I genuinely felt at ease in the small conference room with boxes full of information and stacks of papers.
The small conference room seemed even smaller when Hope looked at my work over my shoulder or I caught her watching me. It made my hands sweat. The case would take a long time. We both knew the commitment it would take. We were lucky enough to expedite the case and get Mr. Dewitt out on bail; despite the large amount his freedom cost him.
Mr. Dewitt faced negligent homicide because of a large fire in his factory in the north of Rhode Island. The state claimed that proper maintenance was not performed on the buildings sprinklers which could have prevented the death of a janitor that worked the night shift there. It was pretty cut and dry. We had hired investigators to look into the cause of the fire, which was still unknown despite the full month since the incident.
It was undoubtedly one of the highest profile cases in the state which explained the prompt movements of the state against Mr. Dewitt. The janitor’s family had suffered greatly from the loss of the head of their family. We were moving to pay damages and drop all criminal charges against him.
“Have you seen the damage report to the building?” I asked Hope who scanned an open folder in front of her. She glanced up, seemingly bewildered at my question. Her brown eyebrows furrowed as she glanced at the table and lifted a folder up to me.
The sun had begun to set. It had been over a month of scanning pages and working up a defense that I had endured. The late nights and long days seemed to deal a harsh blow to my friendship with Jane. I missed her. I sighed heavily into the folder I had just opened. All the words had begun to blur together. I rubbed my eyes groggily and stretched. My yawn grabbed Hope’s attention.
“I think we should call it a day. These things always look better through fresh eyes.” Hope smiled softly and I stared a moment too long and then gave her an awkward smile. Why did I always have to fumble around beautiful women? Couldn’t I be suave and charming? I suppose it was for the best because wooing your boss is never a good idea. Not even in the best of stories.
“Thank you.” I said genuinely and stood, stretching my too stiff muscles. I glanced at my watch. It was already 6. I cringed. Pulling out my cell phone I shot a text to Jane, pleading with her to join me at my place for a much needed night with her.
As I began to pack up the folders and place them back into their proper folders I received a reply of ‘Can’t. Busy. Sry. Rain check?’ I couldn’t help but wonder if she was seeing someone. I had never been the jealous type but Jane was different. She had been my rock from the beginning and it hurt to think of losing her. Undoubtedly a new girlfriend would not have been okay with her keeping up ties with me. I nervously bit my lip at the thought.
Anxiously, I shot her another text and asked her for lunch the next day and received a prompt yes. I sighed happily and prayed that I had not burned any bridges with her. She knew my job was demanding and that things would calm down once the case went to court the following month.
I looked up to see Hope watching me. She had a curious look on her face that I had no intention of exploring. I ran a hand through my short hair in utter exhaustion.
“Do you have any plans tonight?” I heard her ask boldly from beside me as I picked up my briefcase. I hesitated far too long it seemed because she raised a quizzical brow at me.
