What The Heart Wants

“What are you on?” Paula snapped at Rebecca as she whirled around the office without an ounce of exhaustion visible.

Rebecca laughed at her tired and hungover friend. “Girl, I move like this on the regular so I’m used to it. You’re so accustomed to sitting in that damn chair that you don’t realize how bad for your health it is. Even I get up and move around the office. I’ll take whatever opportunity I can to get out. Even if it means bringing papers down to the courthouse. You gotta get up and move. Speaking of moving, I have a meeting to get to with Mr. Garrett upstairs. Are you coming with?”

“Do you really need me to be there?” Paula sighed, fighting the urge to hurl into the garbage can near her desk.

“No, I have your impeccable notes, so you’re good to hide out in here for the rest of the day.” Rebecca smiled as she pranced out of the office. Paula wanted to throw something at her, but she knew it wasn’t her fault she couldn’t hang. She was right. She needed to get out more.

Five o’clock couldn’t come fast enough as Paula rested her head on her desk. Her eyes closed, and before she knew it, she was snoring loudly from behind her computer screen. Someone knocking on the door startled her from her slumber. She promptly sat up straight, adjusting her hair and wiping the sleep off her face.

“I’m sorry,” Paula rambled. “I’m not usually like this. It’s just that it’s been a really long weekend.”

“Trust me, I know the feeling.” Jackson chuckled, watching her get her bearings.

The baritone voice was one Paula had never heard before. She finally looked up to see who was in the office. Jackson Davis stood there in the doorway at a magnificent 6’3”, dark chocolate skin, and hair cut low, clean shaven, and staring at her with a wide grin across his face.

Paula couldn’t imagine what a man like this was doing in an office like hers. Her fatigue melted away as she sobered up enough to address the fine man standing before her. “Good morning, is there something I can help you with?”

Jackson wasn’t surprised that the woman didn’t remember him, but he sure remembered her. Maybe it was best that she didn’t remember their mild moment from the diner last week. He smiled. “I’m Jackson Davis, and I’m here to see my attorney, Rebecca Cornish.”

“Oh, I see.” Paula nodded with a hint of disappointment. She didn’t even know the man but wished he was there for her. “Rebecca’s in a meeting but should be back in a moment. You can have a seat and wait if you like.”

“Thank you. I think I will.” Jackson sat down in the chair across from Rebecca’s desk but turned to face Paula. He was intrigued by her and wanted her to know it. Paula couldn’t stop blushing as she made pointless small talk.

“So, this weather has been nice lately, right?” she asked him, not wanting the silence to drown them in awkwardness.

“Yeah, hot nights and cold mornings.” Jackson nodded. His grin was enigmatic. Paula didn’t know what to make of him. She fumbled around with things on her desk while occasionally glancing up to see Jackson still staring at her. He chuckled. “If I’m making you nervous, I can wait outside or I can come back at another time.”

“No!” Paula practically shouted. “I’m sorry. To be honest, I had a rough weekend and haven’t full recuperated yet. So, I’m a little on edge today.”

“Looked like you were on the Sandman’s edge when I came in here,” he laughed. “But its okay, I won’t tell anybody.”

“I’d be grateful if you didn’t.” Paula giggled.

“Oh yeah? How grateful?” Jackson asked with a mischievous grin.

Paula’s heart fluttered as she realized he was flirting with her. He was here to see Rebecca but was flirting with her. She made an attempt to flirt back. “I don’t know, maybe enough to treat you to dinner.” She didn’t know where she got the gall to ask him out, but before he could respond, Rebecca came blazing into the office once again.

She was rambling on to one of the junior associates and hadn’t noticed Jackson sitting there until she was standing directly in front of her desk. “I’m sorry, were you here to see me?”

“Yes, I was,” Jackson replied extending his hand out to shake hers.

“I apologize for having you wait for me,” Rebecca spoke in a hurried tone.

“It’s okay, I had good company.” He smiled, motioning to Paula. Rebecca wanted to dive deeper into that remark, but she was just put on a major case.

“So, how can I help you?” She sat down for a moment.

“Jackson, Jackson Davis. And I was referred to you by a friend of mine, Nicholas Derby. I got into some trouble this weekend and could use a really good attorney,” he explained.

“Sh*t!” Rebecca cursed. “I’m sorry, you’re right. He called to tell me you would be coming in. Unfortunately, I just got tagged for one of the firm’s largest clients. I don’t have the time.”

“I can do it,” Paula announced. Jackson and Rebecca stared at her in surprise.

“Are you sure?” Rebecca glared at her. That would be a signal for her to stay away, but Paula didn’t care. She wanted to be close to this man. She wanted to help him in any way she could. So, she took the case without a second thought.