Stipulation Read Online Free PDF Page B

squeezing her throat pushed its way back in my mind, and I
let myself succumb to the few seconds of bliss that it afforded me.
    After Lorraine
trounced out of my office, I spent my time reading the articles on
biomechanical engineering that Matt had sent me. By the third one, I
was starting to understand it a bit more and wasn’t feeling
nearly as stupid.
    I took a quick lunch
break and ran down the block to get a sub, eating it as I walked back
to the office. I then immersed myself so deeply back into the world
of biomechanics that I was surprised when I glanced at the clock to
see that it was almost six PM.
    Logging off my
computer, I pack my briefcase up and head out. I stop by Lorraine’s
office before I leave, because she expects me to… just to make
sure she doesn’t have any other orders to parcel out. I stick
my head in and say, “I’m heading out, Lorraine. Do you
need anything?”
    And I will punch you if you ask me to get you some coffee.
    She looks up and
gives me a cougar of a smile. “No. I’m just waiting on
Matt to finish up with a mediation. He’s taking me out to
dinner tonight.”
    I truly hope it’s
not that apparent, but I know my face turns an angry red because I
can feel it heat up like someone had stuck a hot iron on it.
    The motherfucker
lets me blow him and can’t be bothered to buy me a meal, but he
takes Lorraine “Skank” Cummings out for dinner?
    I take a deep breath
and hope my voice comes out in a neutrally calm way. “Dinner?”
    “Yes,”
she gushes, reaching into her purse and swiping on some lipstick. I
notice she gets a chunk on her right front tooth, but I don’t
point it out to her. Hope Matt finds that attractive. “He
buzzed me this morning and asked if I had time for dinner tonight at
seven. I knew it was just a matter of time.”
    My head is buzzing
and I think I actually may take a step toward her to strangle her,
but then I realize my anger is more for Matt than her. Though it’s
probably in everyone’s best interest if I just call it a night
and head home. In fact, I think it would behoove me to call in sick
for a few days, because I really don’t think I can handle this
right now.
    Turning around so
she doesn’t see the look on my face, I manage to grit out,
“Well, have a nice time tonight.”
    She actually has the
lame temerity to say, “Toodles.”
    I’m pissed,
hurt, and really pissed. I stomp down the hall and, as I round the
corner to the lobby, I’m brought up short by the surreal visage
of seeing Matt standing with two other lawyers, talking quietly. And
not just any lawyers… one of them is Cal Carson.
    The conversation
looks to be heated, even though they are talking quietly. Cal is
holding onto a briefcase, and Matt has his arms crossed over his
chest. The two men are glaring daggers at each other.
    I start up my walk
toward the lobby doors when I hear Cal say in surprise, “McKayla!”
    Turning, I briefly
take in his happy smile, and notice Matt’s frown turning
deeper. Because I’m pissed at Matt, I give my most radiant
smile to Cal as he walks over to me, and I don’t spare Matt
another glance. “Hey, Cal. What are you doing here?”
    Cal and I had
actually had a great time over coffee. He read my Memorandum, gave me
a few pointers, but overall pronounced it worthy of Lorraine’s
scrutiny. Then we spent another thirty minutes just chatting about
our lives. We got along extremely well, and I almost thought he was
going to ask me out on a date. But he didn’t. Instead, he
suggested we swap business cards, promising to call me for lunch one
day. I wasn’t sure if that would be considered a date, or we
were just doing a business type of meal.
    Regardless, I really
hadn’t given much thought to Cal since then because I had been
so mired in my dark thoughts over Matt.
    “I just
finished a mediation with Matt. As usual, he kicked my ass today.”
    “Well, you
can’t win them all,” I tell him in commiseration. I don’t
dare look over