We headed back to the office and spent the rest of the day going over the extensive notes for the case. Every once in a while my mind wandered to the thought of what it might be like to go out with Aiden in a different capacity than friendship or even business. Eventually I decided not to worry about that right now, as I have my whole future ahead of me.
Whether Aiden ends up being my new best friend, my lover, or my enemy, I wasn’t going to do anything to jeopardize my chance at the full-time position.
No matter what, I was in it to win this thing.
I would not let myself forget that no matter how sexy the distraction might be.
I opened the door to my apartment to hear the phone ringing. Kelsey had gone to work at the restaurant, and my hands were full with bags of groceries. I rushed to set the bags down in the kitchen and made it to the phone on the wall just as it rang for the fourth time.
"Hello," I said juggling the grocery bag as I picked up the phone.
"Blair, I thought I might have missed you." My mother's voice came like a welcome balm on the other end of the phone. I hadn’t spoken to her since the first night I had arrived to let her know I had made it.
"Mom! Hi,” I said, tucking the phone to my shoulder. "How are you?"
I put the milk and eggs in the refrigerator and left the rest on the counter for later.
"I wanted to check in with you,” she said. "How are you? How is California?"
"Oh, it's great,” I answered walking to the living room and plunking down on the couch. "The weather is amazing. There's not a drop of humidity. I swear my hair has never looked better."
I heard her laugh at my description. "Have you been to the beach yet?" she asked. "I've always wanted to see the water, myself."
"Um... no. I guess I haven't. Kelsey and I had talked about it, but I've been so preoccupied with my new job I haven't had much time for recreation."
A trip to the beach sounded nice, but I couldn’t imagine finding the time. My mind ached at the thought of trying to squeeze in the time. Just this weekend I had passed up an offer from Kelsey to go along with her friends for body surfing.
"Take time to play,” my mother scolded. "Don't forget that."
"I know, Mom,” I said rolling my eyes. She had always said this to me when I was younger. When the other kids would go out to the movies or the mall, I was the one who stayed home pouring over books and studying for any upcoming test I might have. Even then she had to practically push me out the door. But I had been an awkward child, not really feeling comfortable surrounded by the vapid faces of the girls who wanted to get their nails done or buy the latest music.
Most of the time I would find myself knocking on Aiden’s back door. Then he and I would either roam the neighborhood or hole up in his family's game room. Sometimes we went back to my house depending on how many of his brothers were home and how aggressive they were acting towards him.
He liked the escape just as much as I did.
"Well, have you gotten settled in your apartment? How is your roommate?"
"Kelsey is great,” I said. "She's a lot of fun. She's always trying to get me to go out with her and her actor friends. She's trying to match make, but other than that we get along perfect."
"Match make?" she asked.
"Don't worry, Mom. None of her friends are my type. Besides I'm too busy with work."
"How is your job going so far?" she asked. "I've been so excited to hear about it."
"You won't believe who my partner is,” I said. "Do you remember Aiden Player?"
"Aiden?" she said with an incredulous tone. "Of course I do! He was practically a member of the family the way you two used to run around. I knew he had gone to college in California. What are the odds? You’re working with him now?"
"It's a little bit more complicated than that, Mom."
"How so?"
"He and I are competing against each other for a full time position at the law firm."
"I see," she said. "How do you feel about that, considering how close the two of you once were?"
"It’s nice to see him again,” I said, hesitant to say too much. "But don't worry. I came here to win this job, not to rekindle an old friendship."
"Friendship? Are you sure about that?" She had taken on that tone of Mother-knows-best, much to my ire.
"Yes Mom,” I said firmly. "Friendship. Nothing has changed in that regard."
"No, I’m sure that it hasn't,” she said but she didn’t sound convinced.
"Typical," I giggled. "What about you, Mom? Anything new on your end?"
"Well, I had thought about coming to visit in about a month. I have some vacation time from work and I thought a visit to the beach might do me some good. Would that be a good time?"
"The case should be over by then,” I said doing mental calculation in my head. "It starts in two weeks and should not take more than a couple of weeks. That timing is perfect."
"Oh Blair," she said suddenly serious. "Are you sure you’re okay out there all on your own? I worry, you know."
"Of course I'm okay, Mom,” I answered. "Why would you ask that?"
"I've often felt badly that you have never had a brother or sister. Once I'm gone you’re going to be all alone."
"Oh Mom," I said rolling my eyes. "Don't talk like that. It's a good thing you raised me to be a fully competent adult who can function within society without much assistance. I'm the one who should feel sorry for leaving you alone in that huge house."
"Darling, you know I like my solitude,” she said. "And that closes the subject."
"Hey, I've got to go, Mom. I have a little bit of work to do before I call it a day."
"Okay, honey. I'll look forward to seeing you in a month." I could hear the smile in her voice. "Just remember to have fun every once in a while."
"That sounds great, Mom,” I said.
"I love you."
"I love you too. Bye Mom."
I hung up the phone and leaned my head back on the couch. I already felt exhausted from the hard work we had done at the firm that day.
Seeing my Mother would be a nice break after this case.
I glanced at the clock, and decided that I had time to make myself something to eat before I tucked into my boring home work. I headed to the kitchen to put away the forgotten groceries sitting on the counter.
The next day I arrived at the office excited and feeling good. Stepping off the elevator I asked Willa if I could take her up on that previous offer of coffee.
"Of course," she said. "It's one of the perks of working here. Don't tell the others but I make a killer Cappuccino,” she whispered in a conspiratorial tone.
"It will be our secret,” I said with a grin as I headed down the hallway towards Mr. Mahoney's office.
She brought me the frothy hot beverage a few minutes later, with a black coffee for Mr. Mahoney and a regular coffee for Ms. Klein. Aiden hadn’t arrived yet, but I started to look over some of the files while sipping my coffee. When he finally arrived a few minutes later I was struck once more by his charisma as he walked in the door with his blinding good looks and captivating smile.
"Good morning Blair," he said with his crooked grin on his face as he slid into the seat across from me.
I couldn’t figure out how he looked both sharp and professional while exuding the beachy charm of a surfer. He looked tan and blonde but his tattoo was covered by the sleeves of his buttoned shirt and suit jacket.
"Hi Aiden,” I said trying to keep my voice cool and professional.