Say Nothing... (The Speak Series Book 2) (20 page)

I'm making sure to mark each box with the appropriate range of file numbers when Mr. Benton and Mr. Warner come back dressed down in jeans and polo shirts.

"Ari, can we see you in my office, please." The last time Mr. Benton asked me into his office, I thought I was getting fired. I put the lid on the box I'm working on and follow them.

"So it was a very exciting morning," he says looking pleased. "We just wanted to thank you for the referral."

"My pleasure. Ben's uncle works for the band, so when he asked if I knew anyone who could help, I, of course, thought of you," I say, gesturing toward them.

"We appreciate it. I actually had the pleasure of speaking to Mr. Solis this morning. He was happy we were available to take on the case on such short notice."

"I'm glad it worked out for everyone."

"We know you're busy packing, but we have to move quickly on this. Mr. Jeffrey's arraignment is tomorrow. Will you be able to stay late?"

"Sure," I say taking the file from Mr. Warner.

"You're a godsend, Ari. Mr. Solis has every right to sing your praises."
What?

"Thank you. I'll get right on this," I say closing the door behind me.

Nothing should be coming out of that creep’s mouth except my name as the person who referred him. I can’t believe he talked to my bosses about me. Thoughts of turning that flower arrangement into mulch cross my mind as I angrily bang on my keyboard.

My earbuds are in and the playlist I use to calm me while sitting in traffic is playing. The song interrupts for a second to alert me to a text. I stop what I'm doing and go into my messages.

Unknown: I hope you liked your flowers. XO A

LARRY EXPLAINED EVERYTHING EXPECTED OF
us as summer interns. He made it clear that although we were there to assist them in any way they needed, the primary reason was to learn. Before summer ended, he assured us that we would all have the opportunity to accompany one of the attorneys in court and gain experience working on an actual case.

Shelly gave us a tour of the floor and introduced us to everyone. The morning passed quickly. A welcome luncheon was set up for us in one of the larger conference rooms. After lunch, we went into Larry's office individually to find out which attorney we would be assisting. There are six possible choices, and I have a sneaking suspicion Larry will be taking me under his wing. One by one, each of us is called.

"You’re up," Carlos says as he walks back into the room.

I knock and Larry asks me to enter.

"Take a seat," he says gesturing to the chairs in front of him.

"Thank you."

"So what do you think?" he asks.

"It's been great. Everyone seems very nice. I can't wait to get started."

"Good to hear.” He gets up from his chair and comes around to sit in the chair next to me.

"I want to ask you something, and I want you to hear me out before making a decision."

"Okay," I say, having no idea what he could possibly have to ask me.

"I know you passed on London." I release a sigh.
Not this again.

"You promised you'd listen." I sit back in my seat and wait for him to continue.

"I'm not going to lie. I was very disappointed you didn't take that offer. It's something I would have wished for my own son, but after speaking with your mother, I understand why you said no."

"So what is it you’re asking?" I say becoming impatient.

"Taylor Rummel, our partner who runs the London firm, called early this morning. Turns out that one of their interns had a death in their family. They are giving her four weeks for bereavement and asked if we could spare one of our interns to help them out."

"So you want me to go to London? I haven't even worked a full day here," I asked shocked.

"Ben, you have the highest GPA out of the group. Taylor asked for you by name, without me even recommending you. You would only be gone for four weeks, and then you would come back here and finish out the summer working for me." He's making it impossible to say no to him, and he knows it.
Smug bastard.
He gets up from his chair and slaps me on the back.

"Sleep on it. I'll need your answer by tomorrow morning. Let the others know you guys are free for the day," he says getting back into his chair.

I stand a little dazed and make my way toward the door.

"Oh and Ben. You leave Friday."
Fuck.

The sound of my phone hitting the desk rings through my quiet office.
He has my cell number? How in the hell did he get my cell number?
I pull my earbuds out and pace the length of my cubicle for a minute.

"Everything okay? I thought I heard something fall," Mr. Warner asks, standing in the doorway of his office. I run a shaky hand through my hair.

"I'm sorry. I got up too quickly and forgot I had my headphones on. My cell phone fell."

I say, showing him my earbuds. He nods and goes back into his office allowing me the privacy to continue my freak-out. My fingers are itching to text him back to find out how he got my number. After telling Ben how I felt about him, I couldn't imagine he would have given it out without asking me.

I pick my phone up from my desk and stare at it deciding my next move. Another text comes through, and I sigh in relief when I see it's from Ben.

Ben: I'm on my way home are you hungry?

My stomach growls just reading his text. I'll have to be here at least another two hours.

Me: Starved, but I just got asked to work late. Pick up whatever. I'll heat it when I get home. I shouldn't be later than 8:00
P.M.

Ben: Okay. Please have someone walk you out. I love you.

He doesn't have to worry. I'm already completely creeped out for the day. I don't need to add being attacked in the parking garage to my list.

Me: I love you too. See you later.

Until I can figure out what to do, I decide ignoring him will be the easiest option. I don't want to receive any more texts from him tonight or ever, for that matter, and there are just too many things being thrown at me today to worry about it now. I grab a granola bar and bottled water out of my desk drawer and quickly finish up the draft Mr. Warner asked me to work on.

With just a few minor changes, I'm able to print out what they need for court tomorrow and go home. Mr. Benton and Mr. Warner stayed in the office to prepare for tomorrow but made me promise to have security walk me to my car. I'm not exactly the damsel in distress type, but if I'm being honest, I could use accompanying tonight. Amos' text still has me on edge.

I'm pulling out of the parking structure when my cell rings and
Nana Rosemarie
flashes across the screen. I stare at it confused. I know she had my number in case of emergencies. Ben has also called me from the landline a few times when his cell phone was charging; maybe he needed to stop at the house for something.

"Hello?"

"Did you receive the flowers?" Amos' husky voice comes through the line. My finger shakily hovers over the end button, but my curiosity wins.

"Yes," I mumble. "How did you get this number?" I ask, trying to sound more assertive.

"Did you like them?"

"Yes, but you haven't answered my question."

"I'm staying at my mother’s. It was on a list of numbers she kept by her phone." My heart rate speeds up. If he's staying at Nana Rosemarie's, he's only minutes away from me.

"Why didn't you text me back?" He's bold in his questioning, and although I have every right to show him disrespect, I don't want any trouble.

"Thank you for the flowers, Amos, but I'm not comfortable talking to you on the phone or exchanging texts without Ben around," I say firmly. My hands are shaking on the steering wheel as I wait for his response.

"I am acutely aware of the relationship you are in with my nephew, Ari. I just wanted to show my thanks," he says, sounding affronted.

"I'm reaching my exit. I'll have to hang up now. Thank you for- Shit,” I say slamming on my brakes. The car ahead of me stopped abruptly, and I barely miss rear-ending them.

"You should be more careful when talking and driving. You could have hit that guy.” I’m scared silent. “Does Ben know you drive at night alone? I'm not sure it's safe," he asks concerned.

I end the call and frantically look through my mirrors and windows. Pulling into my parking space a few minutes later, I will my hands to stop shaking. Taking my purse off the passenger seat, I pull out the small bottle of pepper spray my dad gave me for emergencies.

I take one more look through my side and back windows before getting out of the car and making a mad dash to my front door. I'm struggling to keep my hands steady enough to get the key in the lock. Ben opens the door as I attempt the bottom lock, and I launch myself at him.

"Hey . . . hey. What's wrong?" The spike of adrenaline running through me has my whole body shaking now.

"There was a coyote by the car, and it just freaked me out," I lie.

He cradles my face, and I have a hard time meeting his eyes.

"Are you sure? You’re as white as a ghost. Do you want me to go outside?"

"No, please. I just overreacted. I'm okay," I say burying my face in his neck.

"Why don't you get changed and I'll warm up your dinner," he whispers.

"Okay.” He takes my purse and puts his hand out when he notices my hand still clutching the bottle of pepper spray in a death grip.

"I'll put this back in your purse." I nod, placing it in his open palm, and walk toward the bedroom.

I change into my usual tank top and boxer shorts, and my nerves have settled by the time I'm done washing off the day's makeup. I throw my hair up in a topknot and make my way back into the living room just as Ben is placing a glass of wine next to my plate of food.

"I thought you could use a glass," he says with a smile.

"Thanks,” I say pulling up a chair. The plate of chicken tacos looks delicious; I take a large sip of wine before digging in. Warmth settles in my belly, and I finally start to relax.

"So how did it go today?" I ask.

"It was good," he says pulling up the chair next to me.

I take a few more bites of food as he silently picks at the label of his beer. He takes a drink before continuing.

"Everyone was really nice. More than half the group is from UCLA," he says rolling his eyes, and I laugh. USC and UCLA are major rivals in Los Angeles, so it would be just his luck he would be outnumbered.

"So, umm . . .” He looks down at his bottle of beer again, and his leg does the same nervous bounce as mine does when I'm afraid to talk to him.

"What is it?" A million different things are running through my mind.

"Larry wanted to talk to me after the orientation. Well, he talked to all of us really, but he left me for last." He rambles, and I'm afraid to interrupt, so I just keep my mouth shut until he spits it out.

"He got a call from the London office. I guess one of their interns had a death in the family. They gave her four weeks off, but that leaves them short. They asked if I could fill her spot temporarily." His eyes are drilling into me and waiting for a reaction.

I'm scared if I open my mouth, I'll start to cry. I have no words. This news is the icing on top of an already crappy day. My appetite has left the building, so I silently pick up my plate and dump what's left of my dinner in the trash. Another glass of wine is looking like the better option; I gulp down the rest of my glass and begin to pour another before asking for the details.