Free Borrowing Trouble by Mae Wood Page B

when he’s on the road for thirty weeks out of fifty-two and you have kids, okay?”
    Okay. That’s a jab that I didn’t see coming. I thought she liked Trip. I thought she was happy for me. I know he’s on the road a lot and it’s kind of like having a part-time boyfriend, but I think it’s going well. Is she seeing something I’m missing or is this mainly about Josh? I didn’t know how to respond, so I punted. “So, table or no?”
    “Seriously, no table. We’re two single women out on the town tonight and I, for one, wouldn’t mind being chatted up by some random man just to remind myself that I have a pulse.” Without waiting for my response, she raised her hand, flagging down Bert for what I hoped was to order food and nothing else.
    ***
    I stumbled into bed a few hours later, my head swimming. Erica veered off into the guestroom for the evening. So this is what our spend the night parties have turned into now that we’re in our mid-thirties? No truth or dare, just a lot of truths. My heart ached for Erica. What’s wrong with Josh? What’s wrong with her? He’s smitten with her. Has been for years. I can’t imagine he’s running around on her, but I guess you never really know about anyone. She’s just miserable and I don’t know how to make it better. My phone buzzed and issued a small chime.
    Did my drunk girl make it home?
    A smile crept across my face at the knowledge Trip was thinking of me, caring for me from far away.
    Yes. Bert took care of us.
    I understand he also got you home.
    Drove us himself.
    Perfect. I’ll see you tomorrow.
    I hope you mean that.
    I mean it .
    And with that, still in my jeans and striped tunic from dinner, I rolled over and fell into a deep sleep.

 
    Chapter Thirteen
     
     
    I straggled into my office Friday morning, nursing my milky coffee from a stainless travel mug. “Brought your own. That kind of morning, huh?” Jane gently teased.
    I stopped in my tracks and glanced at my watch. Is it ten o’clock already? Nope. Quarter ‘til eight. “You’re here early.”
    “Yeah, I know you’ve got a full day and I was hoping you’d let me leave a little early.”
    Also, Jimmy Brannon’s assistant left a voicemail this morning super early. He wants you for a meeting at four-thirty, so I put it on your calendar. Want me to call back and confirm?”
    “Did the message say what the meeting is about?”
    “No, it didn’t. And I thought your main man was running Branco’s litigation now.”
    “That’s what I thought, too, and Trip’s in Pennsylvania.” My mind boggled as to why Jimmy would want a meeting with me without Trip. I drained my travel mug. “Call Jimmy’s assistant back and tell her that I will be there at four-thirty and John will join us as well. If it’s serious, I might need John for some back up. Track down whomever John is using for an assistant and get it on his calendar.”
    “Got it. Need a refill?”
    “Yes, ma’am.” I handed my empty mug to Jane and walked to my office, calling over my shoulder. “And keep ‘em coming.” I sat down at my desk and began drafting the legal papers Branco would have to file before the Priddy case went to trial, knocking back many coffees to fight off the hangover fogging the edges of my brain. Around ten I was interrupted by a knock on my doorframe.
    “Hey,” called Jane, standing with a steaming mug in her hands. “I spoke with Jimmy Brannon’s assistant. She said she didn’t know what the meeting was about, but that he was clear that it was just to be the two of you. John isn’t invited.”
    My eyes widened and my stomach plummeted to my feet.
    It’s personal. I’m being summoned for a personal call. Did I piss off Bitsy? Is he mad about the clothes she bought me yesterday?
    “Fuck,” I swore.
    “Everything okay?”
    “We’ll see. Can you have lunch brought in for me? I don’t care what. Hold my calls and just let me hole up in here until then.”
    “Okie dokie. And I’ve switched