Counsel (Counsel #1) (28 page)

“And Adam, you should know that I intend reviewing everything, including the court transcripts, related to the Wade case. I’ll also be questioning Jodi to check that your account matches hers. It's not that I don't trust you, but my priority is to protect the interests and reputation of this office," he says, looking me straight in the eye.

"No offense taken, Sir; I wouldn't expect anything less," I assure him, grateful that the meeting’s gone better than anticipated.

The other bright spots in my day are Angelique’s text messages. I sent one first thing this morning to make sure she’s fine, and then, an hour before her matinee performance, I sent another wishing her luck. She responded to the first by letting me know she was working an early shift at Starbucks before the show and sent a second, sweet message of thanks for my good wishes. Both were signed with several symbols for a kiss.

Bec walks in just as I’m reading Angelique’s last text. “You look happy,” she comments after handing me some documents to review.

“It’s been a good day,” I acknowledge, ecstatic that I found no trace of yesterday’s doubt in Angelique’s messages.

It’s eight when I finally get home, have a quick shower and then settle down to make my much-anticipated call. Angelique answers almost instantly; I don’t think I’ll ever tire of hearing her say my name, especially when said with such apparent delight.

"How was the performance?" I ask.

"The audience loved it, I think, and it was so rewarding to meet with them after," she says. I listen attentively, enjoying the sound of her soft, husky voice as she relates anecdotes of the performance and conversations with the elderly audience members. When she asks about my day, I fill her in on my conversation with Bristly, which seems to ease her concern. She tells me, then, that Mom called and that they've agreed to meet the following day. My smile nearly splits my face when she adds that she’s decided to accept the job offer. “I’ll tell your Mom tomorrow,” she says.

"She’ll be thrilled, and I can't wait to celebrate. Would you let me take you to dinner on Wednesday if you're not working?" I ask.

"I’m not, and I'd love to see you," she replies without hesitation. “Why don't you come here instead? I'm not much of a cook, but I’m sure I can rustle up something."

"That sounds fantastic, and I'd happily eat a sandwich as long as we have it together."

"I think I can do marginally better than that,” she promises with a light laugh. "I'd better let you go, Adam, so you can eat.”

"I’ll call you tomorrow evening; enjoy your lunch with Mom. Sleep well,” I say when, in reality, I want to tell her so much more.

My husband. For supporting my obsession, for listening, reading, editing and for all things IT. I cherish your love, commitment and loyalty; I could not have done this without you. Thank you.

Ariane. For believing, reading and endlessly debating words, syntax and punctuation. Thank you.

The readers who so generously championed this novel in its earlier incarnation. I’m indebted to you, not only for your patronage but for being invested enough to recommend, introduce, and discuss Counsel in reading forums, on Facebook, blog sites, and the myriad of other ways you found and chose to support my work. Thank you.

Shenda Paul has been passionate about reading for as long as she can remember.

She’s dreamed, since childhood, of writing her own books. Every character she read about, every deed they performed, gave wings to her vivid imagination. A romantic at heart, it was inevitable that, later, she’d dream of passionate romance, all-consuming love, brooding, broken men, and the women who love them.

Counsel, Shenda’s first romantic fiction, had its initial incarnation on a community fiction website. She was astounded, delighted and humbled by its overwhelmingly positive reception. Readers’ expressed love for the characters, their encouragement and very many requests to publish, helped inspire her to do so.