Preview of Intimate Justice (my romantic suspense in the making)
I packed up my overnight bag, fixed myself a bath liked I always do, and picked out an outfit. I took out a dress from my closet, a purple beaded mermaids dress with sheer flutter sleeves. The dress also had a dipped neckline, a beaded bodice, and a layered mermaids hem. With my matching dark purple heels and sixteen-inch freshwater pearl necklace, my ensemble was complete. I got into my La Salle with my bags in tow, booked a hotel room on my smartphone, confirmed it, and drove to the hotel. As soon as I checked in at the front desk, I went up to my room on the fifth floor and unpacked my by overnight bag. I then texted Derek, letting him know I was at the hotel. I went downstairs to the lobby and into the restaurant. I silenced my smartphone and looked the menu once I was seated, Derek arrived a few minutes later.
He looked at me and said, “Wow, Charlotte, you look so stunning tonight.”
“Why,thank you.” I replied.
Derek said as he sat beside me at the table. We ordered our drinks before we took a walk around the buffet table.
“How are you feeling today?” Derek asked me as we sat down together.
“A little better right now, though I still feel angry and betrayed by my husband and my best friend. But I don’t want to talk about them now.” I replied.
“I felt about my now-ex best friend.” Derek responded.
“Right now, being with you is a lot better than being at home by myself while the husband's away.” I said to Derek.
“I’m not only a lawyer, but I'm also a woman.” I said as I ate the food on my plate.
“I agreed. I mean, you should go out and live a little. Busybodies need a break every now and then.” Derek responded.
“The last time I had dinner with a man that wasn't my husband was last Father’s Day when I took my dad out to dinner.” I replied.
“That was nice of you. Your parents must be very proud and blessed to have you as a daughter.” Derek said as he smiled at me.
“Yeah, my parents have always been proud and supportive of me. My dad was extremely happy when I applied for a scholarship to law school, passed the LSAT, made the Dean’s List at Harvard, maintained a 4.0 GPA, and graduated with honors. My mom was proud, too. She’s was especially proud that I was growing up too fast.” I replied.
Derek and I not only enjoyed the food, we also enjoyed each other's company. After two trips to the buffet, I was ready for dessert. I walked up to the dessert station and fixed up a bowl of vanilla soft serve, topped with cheesecake pieces, hot fudge, caramel, and fresh strawberries. I came back and offered Derek some of my dessert, I watched as he scooped up a strawberry with some of the soft serve as he fed it to me.
“Charlotte, can I ask you a very personal question?” Derek asked me.
“Go ahead.” I replied.
“Have you ever thought about having an affair?” Derek asked me.
“In my head, yes. But never in real life.” I replied honestly.
After dinner, Derek walked with me to my hotel room on the fifth floor.
“I really enjoyed having dinner with you, Derek.” I said to him.
“I enjoyed you, too” Derek replied.
I opened the door and said, “Would you like to come in?”
“Yeah.” Derek said as I let him into my hotel room.
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