Avi had been scarce around the house lately, and I’d immersed myself in work. Marcia and I were in my office, purportedly working on a contract together, but mostly chatting and eating lunch. Despite our twenty-five-year age difference, we got along really well.

“Tell me again what you do with the ribbon?” I asked.

“Each guest cuts it in the length they think will fit around the mom-to-be’s belly.”

I wrinkled my nose. “That seems like it could end with the pregnant lady sobbing if everyone guesses too big.”

Marcia shrugged. “I think it’s fun. Better than melted candy bars!” She tapped the end of her pen on the pad of paper in her lap. “Haven’t you been to a baby shower before?”

“Of course I have. I just never really paid attention to the ins and outs. I remember being bored out of my mind watching my sisters-in-law opening present after present from our combined thousands of relatives.” My eyebrows shot up. “Oh god, Rachel won’t want a baby shower like that, will she?”

“You realize I’ve never met these people, right?”

I chuckled. “That’s right, you haven’t. Well, I don’t think Rachel has a lot of family, so it shouldn’t be as massive as our Jersey Italian baby showers.”

Marcia waved a dismissive hand. “Just ply the guests with good food and they’ll be happy.”

“That’s the plan. I volunteered to make desserts. And tea sandwiches. And do the decorations. And games.”

She sputtered. “So, basically everything?”

“No, no! Frannie’s taking care of the guest list. And we’re having it at her place.”

Marcia shook her head. “I hope you didn’t bite off more than you can chew.”

I tapped my teeth with my fingernail. “I have a big mouth. It won’t be a problem.”

Marcia went back to her notes while I read over the contract I’d been working on. My computer dinged with an email, so I clicked it open, without checking who it was from. I could have kicked myself when I started reading it.

I quickly pressed delete, slamming my finger down on the mouse harder than necessary. Marcia’s head jerked up at the sound.

“You trying to kill your mouse?” she asked.

I rubbed my eyebrows with the heels of my hands. “Ugh, no. My sort of ex emailed me. I’ve been able to ignore his calls, but the email was a sneak attack.”

Marcia tsked. “Is this the one who got you in trouble at your firm?”

I tapped my nose. “That’d be the one. He says he misses me.” I couldn’t help rolling my eyes. We’d never had any sort of lovey-dovey relationship. When we weren’t having quickie sex, we were actually pretty professional with each other.

“I assume I don’t have to give you advice?”

I shook my head. “Nope. The email has been deleted. I have nothing to say to him. Whatever he thinks he wants with me, that’s his business.”

“Good girl. I may be an old maid, but I know a thing or two about relationships. I know you don’t need to be in one that screws up your career. If a man doesn’t add something to your life, then you’re better off alone.” She leaned in, eyebrow raised. “Ask me how I know.”

I couldn’t picture Marcia ever at the mercy of her feelings. She was as no-nonsense as they came, never giving up a smile or laugh unless it was really worth it. That wasn’t to say Marcia was prickly. I’d had no trouble getting to know her. I’d just accepted from day one that we wouldn’t be high-fiving in the hall or cracking up over The Real Housewives at the water cooler. I enjoyed talking to her about law and our lives.

“You’re absolutely right, which is why I won’t be replying. He never added anything to my life. If anything, he detracted from it.”

“He certainly didn’t do wonders for your reputation.”

I sighed, raking my hands through my hair. “Does everyone know about what happened?”

She tilted her head. “Baltimore may be a big city, but it’s also a small town. You know lawyers love to talk shit about each other. And honey, you and Tom and that wife of his gave them plenty of shit to talk about.”

“I hope they also have short memories. I don’t plan on giving them any more fuel for their fire. I’m reformed and Very Serious about law.”

She gave me a half-smile. “Don’t be too serious. I couldn’t take it.”

I pointed to my coatrack where I’d hung my suit jacket. “Hey, I took off my jacket. Look how casual and loose this office has made me.”

“If you came into the office in jeans, I think I’d fall over on the spot.”

I frowned at her. “Now, Marcia, I thought we were friends. But clearly you don’t know me at all if you’d think I’d wear jeans to the office.” I mimed gagging for full effect.

She let out a short chuckle and I did a mental victory dance. I’d made Marcia laugh!

“I sure am glad you came to work here. I wasn’t too sure when I first met you, but you’re a good kid.”

If anyone else had called me a kid in a professional setting, I’d have seen red. But I knew Marcia respected me as much as I respected her, so it didn’t bother me.

“Thanks. I couldn’t ask for a better partner in crime...errr...law.”

She gathered up her laptop and notepad, along with her lunch bag. “Now, let’s not get carried away with this mutual admiration society. You’re going to make me all feeling and uncomfortable.”

I snorted. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

At my door, she said, “Email me when you finish the contract so I can go over it.”

I saluted her, and with that, she left my office, going back to her own.

On my way out that evening, I stopped by the security desk to check in with Ron.

When he saw me approaching, a broad smile spread across his face. “Good evening, Laurel.”

“Hey, Ron. Are you going home soon?”

He sighed. “Nope. I’m working a double today. With Tyrell out, we had to shift everyone around, and it looks like I got the short end of the stick.”

“How’s he doing?”

He waved me off. “Oh, guy’s fine. He’s got a bad case of gout. I told him to stop eating all those cookies and muffins you bring us.”

I twisted my lips to the side. “This is the first time my baking has harmed anyone!”

Ron laughed. “I’m just playin’ with you, sis. Never stop baking. I took one of the leftover muffins home to my wife and she loves you now.”

My cheeks heated, and I couldn’t stop a smile from taking over my face. “And I love her! Tell her I’ll make sure to bag up an extra muffin for her, but you have to promise not to eat it.”

He held up his hands. “Hey, I don’t make promises I can’t keep.”

I giggled. “All right, Ron. At least you’re honest! I’ll see you tomorrow!”

He high-fived me. “See ya, Laurel.”

I turned, still smiling, and stopped in my tracks. Avi was just inside the entrance, leaning one shoulder against a wall, watching me.