Secrets and Sins: Malachim (A Secrets and Sins Novel) (Entangled Ignite) by Naima Simone Read Free Book Online Page B

slackening his features. “I’m sorry,” she said, barely managing not to press a hand to her chest like a simpering virgin. “I didn’t see you there.”
    “I didn’t mean to scare you.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I was heading in when I noticed you over here. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” Walt paused, lifted his shoulders in a slight shrug, and dipped his hands in the front pockets of his khakis. “Uh, I didn’t intend to eavesdrop. Family problems?”
    Heat streamed up her neck and poured into her face. “No, actually. For the first time in a while, I can say things seem to be on track,” she said, surprised she could utter the words and mean them.
    “Good,” he murmured. More fidgeting. “Danielle, I…”
    “Yes?” she prodded, impatiently shifting her bag and purse to her left shoulder. No matter how sweet Walt was, she didn’t want to have this conversation with him. The subject of her family was off limits.
    He squared his shoulders. “If you need anything—a shoulder, an ear—I’m here.”
    “Oh.” Annoyance and embarrassment seeped out of her like a blown tire. Well. Damn. Kindness. Such kindness. It humbled her. “Tres, I… Thank you. I really appreciate your offer. You have no idea how much. But,” she smiled with genuine warmth, “I’m fine, really.”
    “Okay.” He nodded and moved back a step. “Have a great first day at work.”
    “Thanks.” She grimaced. “Speaking of, I have to get out of here if I’m going to catch the train on time.”
    He dipped his chin. “See you later then.” He waved, turned, and strode toward the diner entrance.
    She hurried across the parking lot, refusing to glance down at her watch.
    I’m going to have a good first day. This will be an awesome day .
    Damn it.

Chapter Six
    First day almost down; hopefully many more to go.
    Danielle strode into the cool sophistication of the reception area with a stack of mail and correspondence that needed to go out in the morning. The long and short hands on the oval, walnut-framed clock aimed at the five and four. Five-twenty. Plenty of time to tidy up and catch the six-ten train. Although, she silently admitted, if she could’ve stayed in the quiet solitude of the law firm office, she would have. In spite of the unconditional acceptance she’d received at the diner, for the first time since arriving in Boston she felt like she belonged. Of all she’d abandoned when she’d left Alabama, practicing law had been the hardest to leave behind. Elena Guerrero had passed the Alabama bar and was a successful attorney, not Danielle Warren. Her career had been the one thing to truly give her joy; it had been hers .
    And now, she could recapture a fragment of her dream. It was enough—it had to be.
    She placed the small stack of envelopes and documents in Bethany’s outbox. The pretty receptionist had left promptly at five, stopping by to welcome Danielle to the firm again. She returned to her office and found herself unconsciously humming along with the song piped through the ceiling speakers. She shook her head, smiling wryly.
    Instead of the usual canned music, soft classic rock teased her ears. It had struck her as funny how the blue-eyed soul of Hall and Oates seemed so at odds with the old money appearance of the office. The hidden speakers had been silent the night of her interview, so the music selection had certainly been, uh, surprising. She’d imagined and anticipated stodgy Muzak to go along with the Beacon Hill location and clientele. Instead, she got Perry Mason meets Peter Gabriel.
    Unexpected. Disconcerting. Contradiction.
    The office was a perfect reflection of its owner.
    She shied away from the personal thoughts of her new employer and focused on wrapping up last-minute details before heading out for the evening.
    “So I guess you showing back up after lunch was a good sign that you might stay?”
    She stiffened but forced herself to relax before turning toward her