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The moment she pictured the expression Lola was probably wearing while she texted, Carmen’s body bloomed with warmth. As easily as Lola had triggered her anger months ago, she ignited something even more intense now. Something capable of creation rather than destruction.

Lola’s touch lingered on her skin. Her whispers uttered in the darkness of Carmen’s bedroom still fluttered against her ear. She closed her eyes, slipping into the rivers of time and space to be transported back to Lola that morning. Her chest tightened and her heart yearned to see her again. Ten hours apart was too many.

An email notification dinged on Carmen’s computer screen, bringing her back to her body. It was from her mother. As soon as she read the subject line, she grinned with satisfaction and was filled with gratitude:Justin see Carmen for update on Barry’s pending depos.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Carmen turned her attention to their hearing next month on the ridiculous Fortune lawsuit. If she didn’t have to do anyone else’s work but her own, she intended to keep the momentum going and win that case, too.

CHAPTER56

Despite it being only mid-November,Bamford had already rolled out the winter wonderland decorations. The woman was obsessed with all the pagan trappings of Christmas.

Lola rolled her eyes at the towering pine trees, loaded up with Christmas lights, that now stood sentinel at the parking garage entrance. To kiss the billionaire’s ass, every tenant in the building dressed up their suites in the same stupid reindeer obscenities.

Everyone but Natalia, she thought with a strange sort of pride. She didn’tdodecorations, even if she did make them go to the holiday party.

As soon as Lola parked in her regular spot, her phone buzzed in her hand. Bag slung over her shoulder and high heels clicking against the smooth cement floor, Lola looked down at the screen.

Carmen:Judge granted Fortune’s lawyer a continuance for the hearing despite my objection. Of course, because of holiday court closures and scheduling conflicts, now we’re looking at MARCH FOR A HEARING DATE!

Lola:4 months, huh? I guess that means we’re going to have to spend so many late nights getting deep into your briefs.

Carmen:OMG you did NOT just try to turn our opponent’s ploy into a sext.

Lola laughed, hitting the elevator button with her elbow.

Lola:What do you mean, try? I 100% succeeded with that grade-A flirt. Don’t hate the game.

Carmen:Stop being adorable in an attempt to make me less cranky about this!

Still smiling, Lola stepped into the elevator.

Lola:No, not the most terrifying thing in the world — a crabby Carmen! Are you going to pout too? You know what that does to me.

Carmen:You’re the worst.

Lola:How about I take you to lunch? I have a gap between meetings at one.

Carmen:Since my day took a turn, I scheduled a meeting with Professor Zhang about running that law clinic next fall. My afternoon is tight, so how about I bring something over instead? We can eat in your office.

Lola:Tight indeed.

Carmen:I’m actively ignoring you.

Lola:You weren’t this morning.

Carmen:Chop Chop? Extra curry mustard?

She shouldn’t have been surprised that Carmen remembered her order, even though they’d only been there once for lunch. She probably also remembered Lola’s story about having a crush on a girl that worked there when she was in high school. She always seemed to be listening to her. Always giving her every ounce of attention.

Lola:Only if you let me have your pita bread.

Carmen:You can eat my pita anytime, baby.

Lola was still smiling when the elevator doors opened at Dominion. It took several seconds before she could hide it away for later.

Striding across their reception area, the new hire behind the welcome desk informed Lola that Kiki had arrived a few minutes early and had been given coffee and taken to the conference room. After thanking her, Lola pushed open the glass door and practically whistled to the hum of the office.

“Martina,” she called to the redhead sitting at the head of the assistant agent bullpen. “Let’s go.”