The Crossroads Duet by Rachel Blaufeld

Author:Rachel Blaufeld [Blaufeld, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Rachel Blaufeld
Published: 2017-09-06T16:00:00+00:00

Aly

Two months later

I jumped off the bus in Oakland and slowly made my way toward the center of Pitt’s campus. Students rushed by me as the ringing of church bells hung heavy in the damp winter air. My mind empty, I was focusing on nothing but the sound my boots made crunching along the snowy sidewalk as I headed toward my happy place, when my phone vibrated in my pocket. I tugged off my glove with my teeth and reached in my coat pocket to grab it, then swiped my finger across ANSWER CALL. My heart fell when I saw who was calling, and for one fleeting second, loneliness enveloped me until I shoved it away, forcing myself to replace it with cheer.

“Hil, how’s the new city?” I said, greeting my law school buddy with a smile brightening my face. She couldn’t see it, but I knew she could hear it. Hilary was one of only a few outsiders I let in. The petite Asian woman understood how hard I’d worked to get where I was. The daughter of Chinese immigrants, she was also the first generation in her family to attend college. Originally named Hui, once she started school she’d demanded everyone call her Hilary, wanting to fit in.

“It’s good. Cold when the wind whips off the water downtown, but my job is pretty cush, and I found a fabulous studio apartment near the nightlife. I’m trying to get out, meet people.”

A genuine grin transformed my face as I heard this. Hilary was always more social than me, and she deserved to make a great life in Cleveland.

“Sounds incredible. How’s your caseload?” I slowed my pace as we talked, wanting to savor my few minutes on the phone with her before hitting my destination.

“Oh, Aly, you should think about leaving the PD office. I have an assistant who basically does everything I don’t want to do.”

My heart pinged at her laughter that tickled my ear—not because she was teasing me, but because I missed having her around. She’d left her government job for greener pastures, and I was truly happy for her. The only problem was the big hole in my already bleak social life with Hilary gone.

“Ha! Maybe someday,” I said wistfully. “In fact, the current case I was assigned may do me in. I got a real ass to defend.”

Hilary gasped. “Aly! I never heard you talk that way before about a client!”

I smiled as I envisioned her throwing her arms up in the air, mocking me. “I know, but this guy says he didn’t do it, but gives no reason. He’s a nasty one. For the first time, I sort of wish I did contracts or something cut-and-dried like that.”

Hilary let out a little snort. “Babe, don’t make yourself sick over it. Nothing we do is set in rock . . . or whatever the saying is.”

“Stone,” I said, gently correcting her. Although Hilary’s English was perfect, she could be forgetful when it came to small details.

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