Free My Heart Lingers (A Hearts of Misty Mesa Story): BWWM Interracial Romance by Brandi Boddie Page B

the county in about a week.”
    Kyra thanked him and turned to leave. She saw a red-haired woman standing behind her, dressed in a short-sleeved dress, also toting a stack of papers in her arms. “Hi, Kyra, I’m Amy Nestler. I also went to Crestfield. You mind hanging around for a few minutes after I file these registration papers? I’d love to chat with you.”
    “I’ll be outside in the hallway.” Kyra walked out of the clerk’s office and waited by the door, where she tried to search her mind for any memories of the woman named Amy. A very vague image formed in her head of a teen version of her, decked out in black leather, dark lipstick, and several tattoos. Her hair was another color at the time. It was very dark brown or black, as Kyra recalled. Was the conservatively dressed woman inside the clerk’s office the same Amy?
    The woman came out in the hallway, and Kyra got the answer to her unspoken question. She caught a glimpse of ink on Amy’s right arm when Amy lifted it to wave to her.
    “I love it when I see people from my old high school,” the woman said. “I thought when my family moved to Lubbock in my junior year, I’d never see anyone from Misty Mesa again, but here I am.”
    “It has been a long time, hasn’t it? Didn’t you used to have black hair?”
    Amy nodded. “I had to nix the dye. The chemicals were frying my hair. Besides, tatted-up arms, raven locks, and goth lipstick don’t make the greatest impressions on a small-town jury when you present a case in court. I figured if I had to part with one of my signature looks, it’d be the hair. So I’m sweet little Amy Carrot Top.” Amy mimicked the accent of a southern belle. “With a heart and flames tattoo across my shoulders.”
    Kyra smiled. “You’ve got a strong personality. The courtrooms need more women like you.”
    “And you. I heard you tell Seth you were an attorney. You and I didn’t run with the same crowd in school, but from a distance, I could tell you were pretty feisty.”
    Kyra grinned. “Thanks, but I was, you know, that girl.”
    Amy shook her head in bewilderment. Then she patted the front portion of her coif, coiled and pinned in a World War II-esque victory roll. “What do you mean?” The two of them began walking out of city hall.
    “I used to flit from party to party, especially during my senior year. It’s a miracle I retained any grades.”
    “Don’t be hard on yourself. Who wasn’t trying to party in their senior year? You came out alright, Attorney Grayson.” Amy’s green eyes twinkled with good humor in the morning sunlight. “Wait a second, I’ve been in town for eight months. How come I haven’t seen you until today?”
    “I’ve been in town for a week.” Kyra told her the purpose for her brief visit. “I’m leaving for Chicago in a couple days.”
    “Chicago. What have I heard about Chicago recently?” Amy tapped her chin with a painted black nail. “Oh, I know. I read an article online about a partner in a corporate firm there who got busted for tax fraud. Even his associates didn’t know. Can you believe it?”
    “I can.” Kyra looked at the gray concrete steps of city hall. “I was one of those associates.”
    Amy winced. “That sucks, Kyra. Sorry to hear that.”
    “Tell me about it. I was here in town when the firm called to tell me I got the ax. Please don’t say anything. I’m still dealing with the rumor mill from my teen years. I don’t need Misty Mesa to pin another scarlet letter on me.”
    “You got my confidentiality. Seriously, though, I know how it feels to be the little scapegoat.” Amy patted her shoulder. “The same thing happened to me at my first law gig in Amarillo. The boss got caught with a stripper.”
    “Sleazy, but not exactly a crime.”
    “It was a family law firm,” Amy finished.
    “Yikes.” Kyra cringed.
    “Yeah, the firm lost its credibility along with a lot of clientele. The partners figured since my department worked so closely