Violet Dreams

Chapter 6

"Ms. Alda I need you to go and finish up the list today so we can meet with the client Monday. It should take all day." I didn't even walk all the way into the room before Carter began talking. He was pacing in his office and, after a few days of working with him, I was beginning to realize this meant he was nervous.

I smiled as I sat down, not even bothering to reply as I pulled out my notepad and began writing the list of things he needed me to do. It was all items we had talked about before, picking up files at the court, setting dates to meet with the client, ect.

The case was progressing just fine, but gathering everything is a pain. I found on quickly that Carter liked to have everything at hand before meeting with the other lawyers or a judge. We had met the client once, but found out we had a lot more hoops to jump through. Carter and I were hoping to have the case on the backburner, waiting for court, in the next week and we would be able to focus on our own cases. This client wanted all of our attention and was willing to pay for two attorneys to get it.

Carter had been pacing in front of the large windows for at least ten minutes, talking evenly but consistently, when he sprang it on me.

"And I'd like it if you accompanied me to dinner tonight." My head shot up and I almost dropped my pen. He caught my startled deer-in-the-headlight look and he looked like he wanted to roll his eyes.

"As a practice for the dinner on Monday with the client. This will be the first time you've ever had such a prominent case and I want to ensure you are prepared and polished for it." He stared down at me.

"Of course, Carter." I said, writing the time and place again. On the outside I was cool and calm, but on the inside I was running around in little circles as my brain exploded with all the different information. I could not tell Angel or she'd want to make a big deal of it, but I also don't want to do this on my own and screw it up.

"What should I wear tonight?" I asked after we had finished going over everything. I was standing near the door as Carter walked up to me. We were both going to leave his office at the same time and I could feel the warmth from his body. It was the closest we've gotten in a while and I admit I'm proud that I feel nothing for him again. Maybe the other day when I felt extremely attracted to him was fluke?

His eyes seemed to search mine. We had to be only a foot apart and I noticed how he was taller than I, so I angled my chin to look in his eyes. I breathed in and smelled his spicy cologne and something else, hidden underneath. The sudden ache to go running in the forest made me arch my back and shoulders.

Carter looked away, taking a step back. "Business attire would be appropriate." He said before pushing past me. I just stared at his broad shoulders as he walked away.

--

He was right. I was running around the city until 5:30 when the last clerk all but kicked me out of her office. Dinner was at 6:30 so I only had an hour to go home and change. We had decided he would pick me up so we could continue talking about the client.

I made it home and quickly ran up the stair, taking clothes off as I did. I slammed open my closet door and looked for a good dinner business attire.

And of course it would be a laundry day.

"Why am I like this?" I asked, staring into an almost empty closet.

See, here's the thing. I hate doing laundry of any kind or even going to the cleaners for my suits so I do it all Friday morning after it turns into a big pile in the corner of my room. All my other clothes were in my washing machine.