All I Want Is Forever by Lynn Emery Read Free Book Online

them.
    Eileen dabbed her mouth with a paper napkin. “Tell us all the news that’s fit to print. What’s happening with your home state connection?”
    â€œForget that. Skip to the fine hunk from your old ’hood.” Jasmine put down the empty yogurt container.
    â€œYeah,” Eileen said with enthusiasm. She swung her chair around to face Talia fully. “I hear he’s six feet four inches of the world’s finest chocolate.”
    â€œOh grow up, will you,” Talia said, wearing a staid expression. “Don’t the high-powered folks in this town have anything better to do than engage in petty gossip?”
    Eileen and Jasmine looked at each other, then at Talia. “You’re joking!” they said together. All three burst into laughter.
    Talia wiped her eyes. “I plead temporary insanity.”
    â€œOkay, now that you’ve come to your senses,” Jasmine began.
    â€œDish it, darlin’,” Eileen picked up.
    â€œStart with him being a private dick,” Jasmine said with a smirk.
    Eileen let out a howl of laughter. “I just got a mental picture.”
    â€œDerrick is not—” Talia started.
    â€œHmm, sexy name. Derrick Guillory. Suits the brother to a tee.” Jasmine leaned over and tapped Eileen’s arm.
    â€œSure does. Wait, I haven’t seen him.” Eileen looked at Jasmine.
    â€œTall, dark, and oh-so-handsome. Girl, he’s one delicious Happy Meal!” Jasmine nodded vigorously.
    â€œSince you know all about him, I can let you tell it.” Talia pressed her lips together.
    â€œSorry. Go on.” Jasmine waved at her.
    â€œIt’s a short story. Derrick is primarily an investigator with the Pointe Coupee Parish DA’s Office. He’s also a licensed private investigator .” Talia shot Jasmine a heated look before she went on. “He does a few jobs on the side. Civil stuff only, of course.”
    â€œCool,” Eileen said.
    â€œSo he’s here with his boss trying to fix this mandatory-sentencing outrage. Good man.” Jasmine gave a curt nod of approval. “Keep him.”
    â€œI hadn’t looked at all the ramifications. Criminal justice resources are being used up on small fry. The big guns are tossing sacrificial lambs to the cops and getting away.” Talia took a swig of water.
    â€œAn excellent point that may appeal to conservatives.” Eileen smiled.
    â€œI’ve been meeting with Pete mostly.” Talia took thelast bite of her sandwich. “He’s meeting with Perrilloux, not me.”
    â€œRight, and having dinner with sexy Derrick is part of the job.” Jasmine winked at Eileen. “You were spotted, sweetheart. You know this is a small town.”
    Talia sighed. Her attempt to deflect Jasmine’s probing into more personal areas had failed. “We knew each other in grade school.”
    â€œAnd?” Jasmine prompted.
    â€œWe’re just catching up on old times. That’s all.” Talia tossed the paper napkin she held into a trash can.
    Jasmine threw up both hands. “Oh come on. I’m a cynic. Make me believe in romance again.”
    â€œBuy a romance novel because there’s nothing more to it,” Talia tossed back. She stood, brushed crumbs from her skirt, and put on her shoes. “I’ve got a ton of things to do.”
    She grabbed her soft leather briefcase and strode out before they could say anything more. She went down the hallway, passed by Jasmine’s small office, and turned a corner. The door to Bill’s office was open. He waved at her as he talked into his phone headset. Talia waved back. Her corner office looked out on Wisconsin Avenue.
    â€œSafe at last,” she mumbled, and kicked the door closed behind her.
    An interesting choice of words, she mused. Once again she’d danced around attempts to find out more about her personal life. Talia worked behind the scenes for that very