“I’m sure. Thank you, Stella.”
“Of course, Paulie.” Her small smile was forced as she made her way out, shooting several glances over her shoulder, as if hoping he’d change his mind, even going so far as to leave the door open on the way out.
I cheered silently when he crossed the office and firmly closed it.
“Can I get you anything? Coffee? Tea?”
“No, thanks.”
He indicated that I should take one of the chairs in front of his desk, waiting until I was seated before sitting down himself. “How can I be of service to you, Ms. Kearney?”
Direct and to the point. I liked that. However, I was ashamed to admit that the last few moments in his presence had temporarily wiped the purpose of this visit from my mind.
“You’re seeking counsel concerning an abusive relationship?” he prompted gently.
“Yes,” I confirmed, my brain coming back online. “Not for myself, but for my sister.”
I went on to briefly explain Miriam’s situation and how she had recently relocated to Cecilton to make a fresh start for herself. He listened quietly, giving me his full and undivided attention.
“Is there any reason to believe your sister’s ex will not adhere to the terms of the restraining order?”
“Nothing more substantial than a feeling,” I admitted after a slight hesitation.
This was where I usually started to lose whatever support I was seeking. Police, lawyers, social workers, judges—they wanted something more concrete than feelings and intuition.
“But even if he doesn’t,” I continued, “the order is only temporary, and it’s unlikely to be renewed. It was like pulling teeth to get the judge to issue the first one, and we probably wouldn’t have even gotten that without eyewitness testimony, affidavits, the whole nine yards.”
“Who worked on the original case?”
“I did.”
The attorney whose name was officially on the case had been a useless coward, in my opinion. I was the one who’d done all the legwork and drafted the arguments. All he’d had to do was show up and cash his hefty fee.
Mr. Cerasino raised an eyebrow. “You’re a lawyer?”
“A paralegal,” I corrected.
His eyes lasered in on mine. I could practically see him picking up the few crumbs of information I’d provided, studying them, dissecting them, and drawing conclusions.
“Where?”
I gave him the name of the county DA office where I worked.
“You’re a long way from Boston, Ms. Kearney.”
“Yes, I am, Mr. Cerasino, which is why I’m speaking with you.”
His lips quirked at the corner. I found my eyes drawn to the movement. They were some fine male lips.
“As a paralegal, you know there’s not really much I can do at this point.”
“Yes, I know. I’m simply trying to lay some groundwork. I want Miriam to have options. Someone who understands this state’s laws and can hit the ground running in case something does happen—at least until I can return and assist.”
“Have you spoken with the local police and made them aware of the situation?”
I hadn’t because I knew it would be pointless. “As you said, there’s not much anyone can do at this point.”
“I see.” He sat back, his fingers touching in a tent, and said nothing.
Normally, I was adept at reading people, but he was proving to be an exception. Or maybe I was just too distracted by his intense attractiveness.
Let me just pause here and say that it wasn’t just a physical thing. Yes, he was a very handsome man, but it went beyond that. I couldn’t explain it other than to say whatever weird ability I had to accurately read people told me that Paul Cerasino was just as attractive on the inside as he was on the outside.
“All right, Ms. Kearney,” he said finally.
I sat up a little straighter. “Yes? You’re willing to help?”
“If it comes to that, which I sincerely hope it doesn’t, I’m willing to take on your sister’s case should she seek my counsel.”
“Thank you!”
“Have her make an appointment, and we’ll establish a base file.”
I reached into my satchel and extracted the file I’d already prepared. “This has all the pertinent information. Names, dates, et cetera.”
He didn’t take it from my outstretched hand, as I’d hoped. “Excellent. She can bring it with her when she comes in.”
“Can’t you just take it now?”
He tilted his head slightly, his eyes even more probing than before as he quickly put the pieces together. “She doesn’t know you’re here, does she?”
“No.”
Coming here had been all my doing. I hadn’t even told Miriam I was going to. I knew she wouldn’t approve. Miriam’s experiences with lawyers thus far had destroyed her faith in the system.
“Then, I’m sorry. I cannot in good conscience accept that.”
“But you said—”
“I said I’m willing to help,” he clarified. “But I’m not willing to accept confidential information on a potential client without explicit consent.”
My hopes fell, but I understood and even respected him for his honesty. He was covering his own ass, and I couldn’t blame him for that. I shoved the file back in my satchel and stood. He stood as well.
“Thanks for your time, Mr. Cerasino.”
“That’s it?” he asked.
“That’s it,” I confirmed, forcing a smile. “I’ll show myself out. Have a good day.”
Stella was loitering in the hallway. I didn’t even glance her way as I walked past with my head held high. I wished the receptionist a good day and left the office. I didn’t take a full breath until the elevator doors closed and I was on my way down.
I should have known it wouldn’t be that easy.
Chapter Four: Paulie
Hours later, I couldn’t stop thinking about Allison Kearney. It was making me edgy. I had a mountain of work piling up on my desk that required my full attention. The last thing I needed was a distraction in the form of a golden-haired paralegal with Cupid’s bow lips.
And yet, there I was, staring at my screen and thinking about the disappointment in those pretty green eyes as she’d left my office. The fact that I’d been the one to put it
