Client Confidentiality

(49) Carlie

I hesitate as Zach leads me down the road to a coffee shop. The thought of my apartment still being in the state it was is in the forefront of my mind, hovering over me like a plague I can't get rid of.

I know that Zach said Cal and Elijah were going to sort it out, but it is still stressful that I can't clean it how I want to, myself. However, the giddy smile on Zach's face has me pushing through my anxiety as we walk into the small cafe. 

It's adorable - with fair lights decorating the brick walls. Small artworks hang on the walls, with cheesy coffee quotes that almost make me smile. After ordering a latte and americano, we sit down at a small table near the window. The spring sun is seeping through, heating my skin and relaxing me slightly as Zach takes my hand. 

He rests it on the top of the table, for everyone to see, and the public claiming has my heart racing slightly. The waitress bringing our coffees over smiles when she sees our small public affection, and quickly sets down our drinks before leaving us to it. 

"How are you feeling?" Zach asks, concern in his eyes despite the happy smile on his face. It seems a weight has been lifted from him since our heart-to-heart earlier, and I can't say it hasn't had the same effect on me. 

"Just anxious about my apartment," I shrug, deciding to let him in a little to the inner workings of my mind. 

"I can see that," he reaches forward with his other hand and pulls my bottom lip from between my teeth. 

I didn't even realise I was biting it. 

"They'll sort it out, don't worry," Zach reassures me, referring to his brothers, but it does nothing to settle the gnawing in my stomach. He nudges my latte closer to me and I take a sip, sighing at the influx of caffeine that I realise I was craving. 

He distracts me from my thoughts, telling stories about him and his brothers when they were growing up that have me bursting out laughing. When he presses me about my OCD, I shut down and he quickly moves from the topic. 

It's something I've been dealing with since before University, after I felt I couldn't get control over my life. Whilst it doesn't always affect me, the flare-ups of the condition can send me into a downward spiral. 

We finish our drinks and head out of the cafe, with Zach leading me to some sort of destination. 

"Where are we going?" I laugh as he tugs my arm. People stare at us as we walk past with confusion and amusement, but I don't care. 

Not when I'm with him. 

Finally, after a five minute walk, he opens the door to a bookstore and the smell of freshly printed pages hits me. I take a deep inhale, instantly feeling calm around the bound papers that contain multiple different universes. 

"Like it?" Zach asks, his hand hovering on my lower back. I nod and rush towards a display of best-sellers. My eyes flit over the brightly coloured array of covers and I realise I'm smiling. 

"I always knew you were a book nerd," Zach chuckles from behind me, "No way you can be a lawyer and not love reading."

I grab a few books before moving to a different isle, but Zach takes them off me and acts as my assistant as I pull title after title. I feel like a child in a sweet shop, allowing myself to have unwarranted fun for once without thinking about things too seriously. 

"Try this one," Zach shows me a book and I read the blurb before looking up at him in shock. 

It's a band romance - a reverse harem novel. The main character is a young single mother who is pulled off maternity leave to work for a band succumbing to the natural disasters of Rockstar fame. 

"You've read this?" I ask Zach in disbelief. A light blush covers his cheeks as he stuffs his hands in his pockets and looks down. He shrugs, still staring at his feet and I find myself smiling at how adorable this massive man can be sometimes. 

I add it to my pile and he takes it from me again. By the end of the shop, I have ten different books I want to buy. I pull out my card but Zach beats me to it, tapping his own and giving me a wink. He takes the bag from the cashier and walks out of the store before I can argue.

He's halfway down the street by the time I catch him, and as soon as I do,  I jump on him. My lips slam into his, catching him off guard for a second before he recovers and takes control. 

"Ah, so this was the reason for you branching out on your own," a cold voice filters into my ears. My spine goes straight as I make the connection of who it is and I separate from Zach. 

"You're suing me, Charles. You and I both know we can't speak to each other during court proceedings," I cross my arms across my chest. Zach stands behind me for support, and I watch as Charles' eyes flicker between him and I. 

"No trouble in seeing you on the street now, Carlie," Charles smirks, my name sounding like acid on his tongue. He takes a step forward to me and I hide my flinch, "It doesn't have to be like this, you know. You could come back to us," he purrs. 

"I've got my own firm now, Charles," I roll my eyes at him. 

"But we all know how it is to start out on your own," he looks past my head to Zach and I turn to see Zach glaring at him. 

"I have nothing more to say to you, Charles. Please leave us alone and direct any other comments through legal proceedings," I say and walk away from him. My heart is racing as Zach catches up to me and throws an arm around me, planting a kiss on the side of my head in support. 

Dramaaaaa

Perfect way to introduce my new book - Damage Control <33