Free Fireflies and Magnolias by Ava Miles

tell me you’ve done bad things. Are we talking men here?”
    “You know we aren’t!” And she tilted her eyes up to his to see if he could possibly have been serious. Doing so was a mistake. He was studying her like she was a familiar da Vinci painting that revealed new secrets upon each viewing.
    “No, I didn’t think so. So, something else then. What could it be, I wonder?”
    She yanked her hand away. “Now you’re just making fun of me. I may not be as worldly as you are, but I’m not perfect either. I suggest you remember that.”
    “You’re only making me more curious.”
    “Well, you know what they say. ‘Curiosity killed the cat.’ I’ll be in touch.”
    His deep, husky chuckle made her belly quiver as she walked out of his office.
    A curious Clayton was a dangerous one.
    And he was already dangerous enough.

Chapter 7
     
     
    Susannah clicked her cell phone off before she entered the coffee shop she’d suggested to Amelia Ann for their meeting. Cream & Sugar’s walls were a bold red, paired with black and white accents. The Dare River establishment shared the funky design of the other local boutiques and was one of her favorites. The music was jazzy, but it played in a soft undertone so people could talk.
    The clientele was mostly suburban. There were plenty of business professionals typing briskly on their laptops, but truth be told, she’d chosen the place because at this time of day it was mobbed by mamas watching their babies play in the children’s corner. She loved being around kids—anytime, anywhere. If art hadn’t seized her heart and soul in college, she would have become a teacher.
    When she scanned the room, she saw Amelia Ann had already arrived. Her friend rose from a table in a corner and set aside a yellow legal pad and pen so she could hug her hello.
    “Hey there,” she said brightly. “I’m glad this worked out. This is the first time I’ve been able to lure you away to meet me other than on Sundays.”
    “I know, and I’m sorry,” Amelia Ann responded, stuffing her papers into a leather satchel. “My schedule is really full right now.”
    “So, how are things?” she asked, signaling a server. Heavens, but she could use a cup of tea.
    “Fine. Still getting used to my new schedule. Everyone was right. The second year of law school is much easier than the first. Thank God. But…there’s still a lot to do.”
    She sensed her friend was holding something back, but she didn’t press. “I’m glad to hear it,” she said as the server appeared. “Jasmine green tea, please, with lemon and honey.”
    “Good choice,” Amelia Ann said as the server nodded and took off. “I decided to treat myself to a mocha instead of black coffee since I have a long day. Whoever first thought to put chocolate in coffee should be kissed and often.”
    “I couldn’t agree more,” she said, crossing her legs under the table. “So, tell me what I can do to help with the concert.”
    Of course, she had her own thoughts on what they could do to make the concert special, but she wanted to hear her friend’s ideas first.
    The server returned almost immediately with her tea, but after checking the color of the water in the pot, Susannah decided to let it steep a little more.
    “Well, let me run you through the program so far. We're going to create three features on women who have overcome domestic violence. I’ll work with the heads of the local women’s shelters to compile a list of about ten women, and then you, me, and Clayton can choose our top three. Rye gave Clayton the final say. Rather, Clayton insisted on it.”
    From the way her mouth pinched as she said that, it was obvious she wasn’t pleased. Susannah had known Clayton since his first days with J.P. at Vanderbilt. He’d changed a lot over the years, going from a preppy country boy to a hard-edged cowboy, business type. He was friendly, but not someone she gravitated toward at J.P.’s gatherings. Now, Rye. Well, he’d