Pride & Precedents (The Park Brothers #2)

13. Camila

Chapter thirteen

Camila

Y esterday was way too close for comfort. If it had been anyone but Jorge in maintenance, we would both be in deep shit. I can't deny I like Henry—how can I not?—but no one's going to hire a brand new lawyer that was fired from BBS&P for inappropriate conduct.

I wait in the plush leather chairs in his office and check my watch for the fiftieth time this morning. I got in at seven after spending most of last night pretending to sleep. How was I supposed to sleep when every time I closed my eyes, I saw his burning into me? I tasted the need in every swipe of his tongue, heard the desire in the moans he tried to contain. If not for the interruption, I might have let him take me right on the file table.

Might have? the slutty voice in my head counters. If not for Jorge, you'd be at CVS picking up Plan B right now. Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed, followed by an even colder shower when I got home.

At least the attraction is mutual, even if we can't act on it. I'll probably need earplugs to protect against the deafening I told you so 's from Rory once I tell her how well her clothes worked, but it'll be worth it considering Henry and I's little closet rendezvous is going to keep me warm for many nights to come. I'll just buy some AAAs along with the earplugs.

I look up at the sound of Henry's door opening. He sees me sitting and a smile so warm it heats my insides spreads across his face. God, he's not going to make this easy.

"Good morning, Camila."

I bite my lips to contain a gasp. I'm still not used to being anything but "Ms. Sanchez" to him. His Ms. Sanchez.

"Good morning, sir. Why don't you have a seat so we can talk?"

His smile turns chagrined as he takes the seat across from mine.

"Uh oh. Is it my turn to get the brush off now? I bet I can change your mind if you give me a chance."

He winks and my heart stutters. I cannot handle Flirty Henry. ?Dios mío, give me strength!

I laugh awkwardly and struggle to maintain eye contact.

"You have to admit, last night was really risky. I couldn't stop thinking about what would've happened if it had been Mr. Bannister who walked in on us."

His smile spreads wider, revealing perfectly white teeth and turning his expression seductive.

"I couldn't stop thinking about yesterday either, though none of my thoughts included Mr. Bannister."

I clutch the folio in my lap tighter.

"Mr. Park."

He sighs and his shoulders sink the tiniest bit. The rare, glorious smile is gone, replaced by his usual stoic expression.

"Very well, Ms. Sanchez. Back to business as usual."

He stands up to walk to his desk before turning.

"'Usual' means the cold shoulder act is done, too, right? Let's not let a few lapses in professionalism get in the way of our great working relationship."

Right. What every girl dreams of: a great working relationship with her super hot boss.

"Of course. I think we're even now."

He raises an eyebrow at my wording, and I just wink before heading out of his office. A relationship (even a purely sexual one) might be off-limits, but s ome harmless flirting isn't breaking any rules, is it? I hear his chuckle as I close the door behind me.

Back at my desk, I sit down with a wistful sigh. I know it's silly, but I'm actually disappointed he didn't fight back. I mean…just a little, at least. Continuing could have put both of our jobs in jeopardy, plus a partner and his paralegal is the second biggest cliché in the book, right behind a CEO and his secretary, but it was just so… hot . Way hotter than the K-dramas on Netflix. If I can't have Henry, maybe his brother can hook me up with one of his dreamy clients?

Before I can get too wrapped up in another impossible fantasy, Henry's next appointment strides down the hall toward his office. It's Naomi. I shouldn't hate her for her perfectly manicured nails, her designer clothes, or her runway-ready body, but if my balled up fists are any indication, I definitely do. And they have history? Ugh! I may be happy with my big and bold self, but that doesn't mean a part of me doesn't die inside each time a woman who meets America's stringent beauty standards gets the guy. I wish a guy could be original for a change.

To make matters worse, she's been nothing but courteous to me and a model client to Henry. She doesn't even have the decency to give me a flaw to latch onto and pick apart in my head each time I see her. Instead, I have to smile pleasantly and return her nodded greeting.

"Hello, Ms. Watanabe. Should I let Mr. Park know you've arrived?"

Her perfect hair falls perfectly around her shoulders like it's in slow-mo, and she gives me a genuine smile.

"Yes, thank you, Ms. Sanchez."

I form my lips into the semblance of a smile in return.

"Mr. Park?" I say through the intercom. "Ms. Watanabe is here for your nine o'clock."

"Thank you, Ms. Sanchez," he answers. I wince at being relegated back to my formal title before realizing that's what I asked for. Damn you, Mila, and your prudent decisions!

Naomi floats into Henry's office as he waves her in, shutting the door behind her. Behind them . God, I need a drink. Since it's not even noon, I head to the kitchen for a coffee instead.

"Hello, Henry. Thanks so much for meeting with me today."

Oh my God. He's left the intercom open! I immediately plant myself back at my desk and hit the mute button, my caffeine fix forgotten.

"Of course, Ms. Watanabe. I'm always available to discuss the case. How may I help you?"

I hear something that sounds like a snort.

"'How may I help you?' Is that the reception I get after it's taken me weeks to even get a meeting with you?"

I snatch the phone off speaker so I can hear without all the ambient noise. I knew I didn't trust this chick. It's about to go down!

"I'm not sure I follow. We met just last week to prep for the mediation."

"Yes, for the mediation, but what about us ? Are we really not going to talk about it?"

Despite having my ear practically inside the receiver, there's only silence.

"What do you mean 'us'?"

"Really? Is that how you're going to play it?"

"I assure you, I am not playing. I am serving in the capacity as your lawyer. Anything further would be unethical and I would need to remove myself from your divorce proceedings."

"Whoa, hold on. Let's not be hasty. I'm not suggesting anything inappropriate. I merely thought we could acknowledge the elephant in the room. Like, 'Hey, remember me? Your friend and occasional hookup from law school? How are things?'"

Another silence. I can hear it's awkward even over the phone.

"Clearly, this isn't coming out right. I didn't mean to ambush you. I was just thinking that over a month with an elephant was long enough. I meant no offense. I'll see myself out."

There's a shuffling of chairs and then footsteps.

"Naomi, wait. It is great to see you. I only wish it weren't under these circumstances."

She lets out a small laugh.

"Yeah, me too. For our daughter's sake, I didn't want it to come to this, but it's been over ten years and it still hasn't clicked, you know?"

"'Clicked'?"

"Oh, come on, Henry. You and I both know Tanner's not really my type. We were just having a bit of fun. Then a condom broke and the next thing you know, my parents are pushing a wedding on me to smooth things over. Tanner's parents were thrilled."

Now I feel bad for her. I can't imagine being trapped in a marriage for a decade.

"I'm sorry, Naomi. I didn't realize the circumstances of your marriage. I promise to do my best to resolve things as quickly as possible, and in your favor."

I hear her feminine laugh faintly.

"You always were a standup guy, even if you're a lot more…formal than I remember. Clearly, I didn't know a good thing when I had it."

Henry clears his throat, and I hear what sounds like someone standing.

"Anyway, like I said. I just wanted to clear the air. I appreciate you still agreeing to represent me. Everyone says you're the best for these sorts of matters."

"Of course. Thank you for coming by. We'll be in touch ahead of the next mediation."

I hear footsteps and quickly hang up the phone. Clear the air, my ass. This bitch definitely wants Henry back. And I'm the idiot who just rolled out the red carpet for her to do it.