I stepped out of my townhouse and tilted my face toward the sky, basking in the early morning warm June sun, tempered by a light breeze. Soon, the summer heat will come, and it’ll be unbearable to be outside. I didn’t have time to linger, I had to get to work. I hopped in my car and merged with the other early risers. Traffic was light for this beautiful Friday morning. Office workers ready to start the weekend.

I parked in the designated gated parking lot for Harrington and Sons employees, then made my way to the front door. I greeted the security guards on my way to the elevators. Getting off on the eighth floor, I greeted the handful of employees who were in early to prep for the day, just like me. Sitting at my desk, I swapped out my flats for the pair of heels I keep in the bottom drawer of my desk, turned on my computer, and then went to the break room for coffee.

Settling back at my desk, I got to work. I reviewed today’s schedule and prepared the client files. I left them on my assistant’s desk for her to review. Before I knew it, the office officially opened, and the phone began to ring.

“Good morning.” I greeted the caller. “You have reached divorce lawyer Bill Caldwell’s office. How may I assist you?”

“I wish to confirm my appointment with Mr. Caldwell.” The woman on the other end said. “It should be at ten am this morning.”

I turned my attention to Bill’s calendar. “Mrs. Davies?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I have you on Mr. Caldwell’s for ten this morning.”

“Good, good.” She let out a sigh of relief. “Is there anything I need to bring?”

“Today is only a consultation. Mr. Caldwell will ask you some questions and collect some information so he can better assess your situation.” I explained. “He’ll also discuss with you the divorce proceedings. Of course, if you’re uncomfortable with Mr. Caldwell, you are free to seek counsel elsewhere.”

“Thank you. I look forward to meeting Mr. Caldwell.”

I hung up and smiled at my assistant, who had settled into her desk across from mine. “Good morning, June.”

“Morning, Anya.”

“I put three files on your desk. Verify the information and greet the clients as they come in.” I told her. “They will be your responsibility moving forward.”

“Of course.”

“Start with Mrs. Davies, she’ll be here in less than an hour, and today is her first consultation.”

She nodded and got to work. I fielded phone calls and confirmed or made appointments. Bill saw two clients before lunch. I took my lunch with the friends I’ve made while working here. When I returned, June took her lunch, and I greeted Bill’s last scheduled client for the day.

While Bill was with his final client, Steven from the fourth floor accounting stepped off the elevator. He looked nervous as he held a file folder in his hands. His eyes met mine, and he beelined it to my desk.

“Hi, Steven.” I smiled at him. “What are you doing up here?”

“I came across some inconsistencies for this department.” He said in a hushed tone. “I wanted to bring it to your attention.”

“You could have emailed me the report.”

“I know.” He smiled sheepishly. “But then I wouldn’t have been able to see your face.”

I softened my smile from a professional one to a more personal and intimate one. “I appreciate it.”

There was a moment between us where neither of us looked away. The elevator dinged, indicating a new arrival on this floor. Steven broke eye contact first, cleared his throat, and then handed me the file.

“Okay.” I took the file from him. “What inconsistencies did you find?”

“The reports you have been sending don’t correspond with what is actually in Mr. Caldwell’s accounts.”

I frowned, opening the file. “I don’t understand.”

“The numbers don’t lie.” Steven came around my desk to point out the numbers to me. “The account is lower than it should be. It’s subtle right now, so I haven’t brought this to my boss’s attention yet. If nothing changes, I’ll have to report this.”

“Thanks, Steven.” I closed the file and stood. “I’ll look into this and get back to you.”

“Anya.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Do you want to grab a coffee after work?”

I stared into his kind brown eyes. Steven and I have been on a handful of coffee dates in the past few months. He’s good-looking and nice. Any girl would be happy in a relationship with him. I’m not one of them. I tried, but it’s just not working for me. If I’m going to have a man in my life, I want someone who will excite my nerve endings and make me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. I’m not looking for love.

“Sure.” I agreed. “Coffee sounds nice.”

“Great.” He smiled. “I’ll come back up later to pick you up.”

“Don’t do that. I’ll come down to your floor at the end of the day.”

“See you in a few hours.”

He kissed my cheek and rushed to the elevator. I watched him leave. June was watching us with a big grin on her face. I raised a brow, challenging her to comment on what just transpired.

“He likes you.” June said, accepting the challenge.

“I’m aware.” I acknowledged nonchalantly.

Her brows furrowed. “But you don’t?”

“Steven is a nice man, there’s nothing wrong with him.” I closed my eyes and shook my head. “This is not a conversation we’re going to have here at the office.”

“Understood.” June sobered, turning her attention back to her computer. “We can have drinks later, after your coffee date.”

I shook my head. June and I have gotten close these past three years since she became my assistant. We talk about plenty of things, including her love life, but mine has always been a taboo subject. I will not indulge her romantic whimsy.

Bill’s final client left his office, allowing me to enter. Knocking on the open door to announce my presence, I entered and closed the door behind me. He didn’t even look up from whatever he was doing. Something had his enraptured attention, and I don’t think it is any of his cases. Walking up to his desk, I dropped the file in front of him, startling him and forcing him to look up.

“Anya.” He looked back down at the file. “What is this?”

“You tell me.” I rested my hip against the desk and crossed my arms.

“You dropped it on my desk.”

I flipped it open. “Finances showing an inconsistency in your business account.”

Bill gulped. “What kind of inconsistency?”

“The actual numbers are lower than the reports June submits to accounting.”

“Then talk to your assistant.” He pushed the file away. “Clearly, this is her mistake.”

“Don’t you dare blame June.” I snapped. “I go over her impeccable work before it goes to accounting. This inconsistency can only be coming from you.”

“That’s impossible. Have accounting rerun the numbers. There must be a glitch.” He sounded a little nervous.

“Bill.”

I said his name with a disappointed tone. The man flinched and refused to look me in the eye.

“Seven years, Bill.” I pushed off his desk and leaned in, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I have been with you since the beginning. Tell me the truth about what’s going on. Why are you stealing company money?”

“Borrowed.” He mumbled under his breath.

I didn’t dignify that with an answer. Instead, I waited for a proper response. If he doesn’t give me a suitable answer, I’ll tell Steven to report him. Actually, I should report Bill to the CEO. When it appeared that I was never going to get an answer, I stood, pulling back. He’s made his choice.

Bill grabbed my hand in a panic, his eyes wide and pleading. “You have to help me.”

I could hear the desperation in his voice. “What did you do?”

“Not here.” He tugged me down and spoke in a conspiratory tone. “Seven o’clock. I’ll pick you up at your place.”

“Bill.” I pulled my hand away and stepped back.

“Black tie, Anya.”