Chapter 7: Chapter 7

REECE

“Are you kidding me? You’re the one who cheated, and I shouldn’t have to give you anything.” The couple in front of me was arguing.

I wasn’t sure why I had agreed to take this divorce case. I usually tried to stay away from them, but my partner had guilted me into it, saying it was his childhood friend, so it was a conflict of interest for him to take it.

“Let’s take a five-minute break and then continue with this discussion in a civil manner.”

I looked at Mr. Lowry and his soon-to-be ex, Mrs. Lowry. They went out the door, still bickering.

“Well, Meyers, it looks like we aren’t going to accomplish anything today,” Mrs. Lowry’s attorney stated.

“If we can get them to agree on one thing, I think it would open the door for compromise. He doesn’t want to pay alimony, so I propose he pays child support and gives her the house, one vacation home, and a car. They split the debt they accumulated during the marriage down the middle, and they keep what they brought into the marriage,” I said.

“I think that’s fair, and I think my client will take it. But your client, Mr. Lowry, may not.”

“Let me worry about him,” I snapped.

After a few minutes, our clients came in, having stopped arguing.

“Great, are you guys ready to listen to our proposal?” I asked.

An hour later, we had a working agreement. This meant I would be able to take off early and join Wren for some drinks and possibly run into Etta.

I’d been thinking about Etta a lot lately, especially that kiss. Her lips were soft and smooth, and having her pressed into me felt right.

“We’ll get the document drafted up and send it over for your signatures,” I said.

We dismissed our clients, and I headed back to my office.

“Mr. Meyers,” my secretary said as she opened my door.

“It’s Reece, Meredith.” She had been with us for about a year, and she was great, but a bit shy.

“Sorry, um, Mrs. Warner called asking for an update.”

“Give her a call and let her know her paperwork is sitting with the judge. Once the judge approves or denies it, I’ll give her a call. I’m also heading out for the weekend. Don’t stay too late,” I demanded.

“I won’t,” she promised. “Enjoy your weekend, Reece.”

“You too, Meredith.”

It had been a long fucking day, and I couldn’t wait to have a few beers and relax this weekend.

I took out my phone to let Wren know that I was taking off work early, hoping he was doing the same.

Reece

I’m taking off work early; it’s been a long day.

Wren

Cool. I still have a few hours, but Etta should be there.

Bingo.

Reece

Sounds good. See you later.

My goal was now to get some time with Etta before he got home.

***

I showed up at Wren’s with oatmeal cookies, knowing Etta loved them. I knocked three times and waited. It took her a few minutes to open the door, and she seemed surprised.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I’m supposed to be meeting Wren, but he’s still at work. He told me that you were here and that I could come over early, so I thought I would come and see you for a bit,” I admitted.

“Oh, okay.”

“And these are for you.”

She took the box and peeked inside, giving me a bright smile.

“My favorite,” she said, her smile bright.

“That’s the whole reason I got them. How are you?” I asked.

“Good. Actually, I had a really good day.”

“Do you want to tell me about it?” I asked, hoping she would.

“There isn’t really anything to tell. I met my new boss and some coworkers, and I think I’m going to like it there.”

Etta was smiling as she told me about her coworkers. At that moment, she was genuinely happy, and it made me happy.

“How was your day?” she asked as she walked into the kitchen.

“It was long. I took a divorce case, which I never do, and it reminded me why I don’t take them.”

“Lots of fighting?”

“That, and nothing gets done quickly.”

She put some cookies on a plate and walked into the living room. I followed her and took a seat next to her on the couch.

“What kind of cases do you enjoy taking on?” Etta asked, taking a bite of her cookie.

“It really depends on the case,” I replied. “I enjoy handling wrongful termination, criminal charges, and occasionally family services. The firm does a lot more, but these are the ones I usually gravitate toward.”

“Can we talk about the other night?” she asked.

~Yes, let’s talk about it. Here is my chance to further this.~

“Sure. Is there something specific you want to discuss?”

“It can’t happen again. You’re Wren’s best friend, and I’m not in the right headspace or at the right time in my life to start a relationship. If it didn’t work out, we would still have to see each other,” she said. Her response wasn’t what I was expecting.

“I don’t think that’s fair. You’re not even giving me a chance. I believe we could be good together,” I countered.

I scooted closer to her on the couch and leaned in close to her ear. “Tell me you’re not thinking about kissing me, that you don’t feel the pull between us?” I whispered.

I kissed her cheek, then her jaw, before moving to her lips. She raised her hands to my chest and gripped my shirt, pulling me toward her, deepening the kiss.

“What the fuck are you guys doing?” Wren’s voice boomed throughout the room.

We jumped apart. We were so caught up in the kiss that we hadn’t heard Wren come in.