Following Love by Celeste O. Norfleet

with superior court Judge Hughes after graduation then worked in family court, then legal aid and has an impeccable record. I spoke to his assistant this morning. She said that Dena was brilliant and that the judge adored her. She even sent over a copy of the judge’s personal recommendation.”
    â€œShe’s a lawyer?” Julian asked, having had no idea.
    â€œLooks like,” Jordan answered.
    â€œSo why isn’t she practicing law somewhere?” he asked.
    â€œShe did,” Jordan said as he picked up the résumé lying on the desk. “She’s even connected to some extremely prestigious law firm in the city.” He scanned the résumé, “Here it is, Graham, Whitman & Morris. I wonder if the Graham is a relative.”
    â€œShe told Willamina that she wanted to go in another direction,” Darius said. “That works for me. Having someone with legal experience on the books is a bonus as far as I’m concerned. She’s definitely an asset.”
    â€œBut what does that mean, she wants to go in another direction? Was she disbarred or something?” Julian asked offhandedly. Jordan and Darius looked at each other, not knowing the answer. The question hadn’t even occurred to them. “Well?” he prompted. “Would she be legally obligated to list disbarment on her résumé?”
    â€œI don’t care. She’s perfect for this position and she has the job as far as I’m concerned,” Jordan said.
    â€œI agree,” Darius added. “The administrative assistant position doesn’t have a legal prerequisite. What she brings to the table is a bonus. And somehow I doubt she was disbarred, she doesn’t seem the duplicitous type.”
    â€œWhat makes you so sure?” Julian asked.
    Darius and Jordan looked at each other again, knowing of course Julian’s drama with women. “Because your eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when you saw her on the escalator Friday evening. It was only right that we ease your pain and hire her.”
    â€œNot funny,” Julian said flatly.
    â€œWhat do you want us to do?”
    â€œTell her that it was a mistake.”
    â€œYou mean, fire her before she even starts? Isn’t that a bit of an overreaction, not to mention probably cause for litigation? And perfect that she’s a lawyer, she can handle her own case against us.”
    The three brothers went silent for a moment until Jordan spoke up. “Maybe I’ll put on the old charm and…”
    â€œDon’t even think about it,” Julian warned firmly.
    â€œIs she married?” Darius asked.
    â€œNo,” Jordan said.
    â€œAlready seeing someone?” Darius asked. Julian looked up with interest.
    â€œShe’s not,” Jordan said. “I already checked.”
    â€œShe’s widowed with a three-year-old son,” Julian said.
    â€œOh, that’s perfect.” Darius began, “You suggest we fire a widowed attorney with a three-year-old son. I can just see it now.”
    Jordan smiled suspiciously at Julian. “I want to know what the big deal is. I mean, we have women around here constantly. Why this one woman? Is there something we don’t know?” Darius looked on with added interest as Jordan continued. “You obviously don’t want me to pursue her, why so protective, Julian?”
    â€œGood question,” Darius said as he and Jordan looked at Julian for a response.
    â€œOkay, fine, don’t fire her. Just keep her away from me. And you—” Julian specifically pointed to his younger brother “—don’t you even think about it.” Jordan raised his hands as if to surrender at gunpoint.
    â€œAll agreed?” Darius asked. Jordan nodded, Julian looked away. “Two to one, she’s hired.”
    Julian looked at his two brothers murderously. Apparently they had all intentions of winning this wager by any means necessary