Read Online Justice Falling by Audrey Carlan - Free Book Online Page B

to do that.”
    “How else was I going to get your attention?” I could hear his smile and his British accent made me salivate.
    “Nate, you don’t even know me--”
    “I want to know you better.” His voice a deep rumble that slid across my nerves making me tingle everywhere. “Have dinner with me. Tonight?”
    I thought about my schedule this evening. Another night at the club, and then I was off for the week. Unless I was called in for a special booking. “I can’t. I have to work.”
    “Hank doesn’t make you work that late.” A hint of frustration tinged his words.
    “No, my other job.”
    “Which is?”
    “Look, Nate. I just…I can’t. I’m sorry.” I blew out a deep breath wanting to accept his invitation but knowing it wasn’t possible. Men like him shouldn’t date women like me. There was a natural order to things. When he found out that I was a single mother and stripped to make extra cash, he’d toss me aside like yesterday’s garbage.
    “Camille…”
    “Nate, thank you for the flowers and lunch yesterday. It was…the best date I’ve ever had.” The only date I’ve ever had. “I have to get back to work. Have a wonderful day. Goodbye.” I hung up so fast it was as if the receiver was coated in acid. Then I stared at it. Dared it to ring again.
    While I stared waiting for it to strike back, a warm hand settled on my shoulder. I jumped up and screamed like a little girl. A much deeper girlie scream matched my own.
    “Jesus, Cami! You almost sacred the gay right out of me!” Oliver held a hand to his chest. He stood back and leaned against the wall. His labored breathing matched my own. I laughed catching onto to what he’d said. Scare the gay right out of him?
    “Ollie, honey, it’s not possible to scare the gay out of you.” I turned and found Aspen Jensen standing with her arms crossed above her baby bump. Her perfect suit and blouse accentuated her womanly glow. I didn’t remember ever looking so pretty while pregnant with Tanner. Most days, I barely rolled out of bed, threw my hair into a pony tail, and shoved my body into the pepto-pink waitress getup. This woman made being pregnant look like a Miss America pageant.
    “Mrs. Jensen, Oliver, hello. How are you?” I settled back into my chair. The flowers stood like a huge banner display on the edge of my desk stating, “Someone likes me!” Oliver zeroed right in on them. Probably because they were the only thing remotely personal on top of the hard oak surface. It was easy to avoid personal questions if you didn’t display anything personal in your work space.
    “Who sent the flowers?” Oliver touched the petals of a daisy. He looked around the bouquet obviously searching for the card I’d stashed at the bottom of my purse.
    “A friend. What are you two doing here? Mr. Jensen is out for the afternoon.”
    “Ollie, you said we had lunch today?” Aspen frowned, dug into her purse then pulled out her phone. Oliver’s eyes narrowed as he pulled out some electronic contraption from his breast coat pocket. It looked like a cross between an iPhone and an e-reader. I’d never used either. I couldn’t afford them. I had a pay as you go phone and only two people, Jin and the teenaged neighbor we hired to babysit, had the number. Oliver pressed a few buttons and concentrated on the glowing screen.
    “I confirmed lunch with Hank on Monday evening.” Oliver validated his reply.
    I waved a finger at him. “Ah, but you didn’t speak to me.” I checked Hank’s calendar just to be safe. “Mr. Jensen is not the best at inputting his personal appointments.” I glanced at Aspen and she nodded. “Usually, he tells me, and I make sure he doesn’t miss anything important. He’s currently at the city building getting permits approved. He won’t be back for at least two hours.”
    Oliver’s lips pinched into a pout. Aspen hugged him to her side. “It’s okay. I know you were looking forward to your daily bitch session.