Happily Never After Read Online Free PDF Page B

around here so you should be cleared by Monday. You can work a few hours a day, and then step up the pace when you’re ready. You’ll have to register to take the Bar Exam but until then, we can pick your sharp brain and use your expertise.”
    She began the dull process of filling out paperwork the City and government insisted was necessary. Then David led her to the file room and explained how the system worked. When he left for a meeting, she wandered around the building to get acclimated.
    There was a mock courtroom on the third floor they used for education purposes and the door opened when she tried it. Her footsteps rang out loud in the empty room. A tangy scent of lemon oil filled the air. Dark oak benches looked satiny smooth from the janitors polish.
    It felt odd to enter a courtroom after all these months. The absence of body odor and the distinct smell of marijuana reminded her that it was all make-believe.
    She left the small room and meandered further down the hallway. A lone figure waited where another hall intersected this one. Why was he so familiar? His face pivoted toward her. Her body froze in shock as her vision tunneled. Otis Warren stared back at her.
    Without any warning, the first tendrils of panic curled up her throat like a clinging vine. She wanted to step back, but her feet had cemented themselves to the floor. Sweat rolled down between her breasts, and her heart beat an irregular pattern. Closing her eyes, she prayed. She didn’t know if it was for someone to help her or if it was for no one to see her like this.
    Her hands balled into angry fists. “You’re dead. Go away and leave me alone.”
    “Uh, Kelsey?”
    The unexpected voice from behind made her eyes fly open and she spun around. Samantha watched her with wariness.
    “I’m sorry to bother you,” Samantha stammered.
    Flustered, she stepped toward the younger woman. “Oh, no, I didn’t mean you. I was talking to . . .”
    A quick backward glance revealed an empty hall. Damn. It wasn’t real. Her stomach curdled at the realization. Inhaling deep, she concentrated on breathing until she regained her composure. Pressing one hand to her mouth, she stifled the hysterical laughter threatening to erupt. W hat is that gurgling noise? Why it’s the sound of my career swirling down the drain.
    Her stride brisk, she passed the receptionist in the hall. “I was just leaving to go back to the hotel. Would you let David know?”
    Samantha trailed behind her. “That’s why I came to find you. David called and he doesn’t think he’s going to return to the office after his meeting with the mayor. He will see you at his house later.”
    She debated on whether to skip the elevator and race for the staircase. Tamping down the rioting emotions that threatened to bring her down, she pasted on a professional smile. She would not succumb to this. If she did, she’d never find her way back.
    “Perfect. See you on Monday.”

Chapter 4
    Kelsey enjoyed the evening. Bev’s description of the twins’ current fascination with speech didn’t do them justice. She’d been exhausted by the end of the night and fallen into bed. For once, nightmares didn’t plague her. The hallucination the day before had frightened her. Was she getting worse instead of better?
    Saturday morning the sun shone bright, and the sky was a beautiful shade of blue. Restless for the day to begin, she dressed and was out of the lobby by seven. The fair weather compelled her to lower the top of her convertible. She followed directions until the large community center appeared on the left. The front lot was full, so she drove to the side and found space to park.
    She strolled to the back of the building searching for the door to the office. Odors so familiar and a part of her youth comforted her when she entered. A five-foot hurricane sped down the hall toward her.
    “Kelsey! I’m so happy you’re here,” a small woman gushed and wrapped slender arms around her