3.5 Death, Taxes, and a Sequined Clutch by Diane Kelly

Author:Diane Kelly
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2012-10-30T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

For Whom the Bill Tells

The skies were overcast that morning and the temperatures had dropped at least ten degrees from the previous day, Mother Nature giving North Texans a hint of things to come.

I walked up the block to find Alicia and Daniel standing in front of the bank building. While I had to fight rush hour gridlock on my commute, their downtown loft was only a few blocks away, allowing them to walk to work. When the two exchanged a quick kiss, I couldn’t help myself. “Get a room!” I called down the sidewalk.

The two looked my way. Alicia waved to me while Daniel waved me away like a pesky fly. Talk about mixed signals.

A few more steps and I joined up with them. “Hey, you two.”

“Hey, yourself,” Daniel said, my smart-assery already forgiven.

“How are things at Gertz, Gertz, and Schwartz?” I asked. “Still fighting for truth, justice, and the American way?”

“Make that truth, justice, and billable hours,” he replied, anxiously grabbing the back of his neck with one hand. “There’s rumors the firm might be downsizing.”

Alicia frowned. “The partners probably started the rumors to scare the associates into working harder.”

“Well, it’s working,” Daniel said. “I put in sixty-eight hours last week.”

“You don’t have to tell me,” Alicia said, offering Daniel an irritated look.

Uh-oh. Did I detect trouble in paradise?

Daniel checked his watch. “I better get moving. It’s nearly nine.”

Alicia and I bade our farewells to Daniel and headed inside.

“Sixty-eight hours?” I asked as we made our way across the lobby. “That’s nuts.”

She glanced my way. “What’s nuts is shooting a man in the nuts. That’s what’s nuts.”

“I only did that once,” I said. “Sheez. You do realize I’m trying to be supportive here?”

“I know,” she said. “I’m sorry. I’m just feeling a little edgy. Daniel doesn’t seem to make time for me anymore. I had to beg and plead with him to agree to go to the art show.” She sighed. “I’ll bet you dollars to doughnuts he backs out at the last minute.”

“It sounds like he’s under a lot of pressure at work.” I could relate. When one of my cases heated up, my personal life had to be put on the back burner. Brett wasn’t exactly happy when that happened, though he did his best to be understanding. “Maybe you should cut Daniel some slack.”

Alicia frowned at me. “Some BFF you are, taking my boyfriend’s side.”

“I’m not taking his side,” I said. We climbed into the elevator. Once the doors closed, I continued. “Look. Your relationship might not be everything you want it to be, but he’s a great guy and it’s clear how much he cares about you. You’re lucky. You should learn to be happy with what you have.”

What I’d said made perfect sense. But was I trying to convince Alicia? Or was I trying to convince myself?

“You’re right,” she said. “No more whining.” She turned to me again. “Why are you dressed like some type of corporate whore?”

“Nathan,” I said by way of explanation.

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