Legal Attraction Page 13

  Jeanette smiled. “It’s been all over the news, but yes. He told me. I feel so sorry for Blaine. Houston ruined his life, and it looks like he is not going to have to pay for it—at least not on this side of eternity.”

  Marissa eyed her mother. “Regardless, he will have to answer for his sins. We all have to face the consequences for our actions.”

  Jeanette glanced away from her daughter. “You are absolutely right about that.”

  Marissa walked into the kitchen and washed her hands in the sink while her mother retrieved a bottle of water and a piece of fruit out of the refrigerator.

  They stayed in the kitchen talking while Marissa prepared a cup of herbal tea.

  “So, when did you and Griffin get together?” Jeanette asked.

  “Things changed between us about five and a half months ago,” Marissa answered, trying to be as honest as she could.

  “Really?”

  She nodded. “We decided not to rush into anything serious, but just recently that changed, as well. Griff and I love each other, Mother.”

  Jeanette smiled. “I’m so happy for you.”

  “Thank you,” Marissa murmured. She took a sip of her tea and then asked, “When did you realize that you loved Daddy?”

  “The day I met him,” Jeanette responded with a smile. “We fell in love so fast—it was a whirlwind romance. His parents didn’t want us to rush into marriage, but Jacob did not want to wait.” She gave a short laugh. “They actually thought that I was pregnant and that’s why we wanted to marry quickly.”

  Marissa stiffened but kept her expression bland.

  “Jacob and I married right away and I became pregnant on our wedding night. Jake was born nine months to the day we married.” Jeanette walked over to the breakfast table and sat down.

  Marissa followed.

  “Before I knew it, there were five of you. Jacob was working all of the time while I was stuck at home. For a time, I started to resent him.”

  Marissa had never heard her mother talk about this part of her life—not in this way. She wondered if her mother was about to confess her affair. “What happened?”

  “Your father and I grew apart for a while, but I loved him so much that I could not give up on our marriage. We talked and made some changes. Once we weathered that storm, your father and I have never once looked back.”

  “Do you love Daddy now as much as you did when you married him?”

  Jeanette gave Marissa a sidelong glance. “I love him even more. Your father is a wonderful man and I am so lucky to be his wife. I wake up each morning giving thanks to have him by my side.”

  Marissa yawned. “I’m sorry.”

  Jeanette rose to her feet. “We both have to be up early, so we should probably call it a night. Jillian must still be at the bar.”

  “That’s where I left her,” Marissa said.

  Upstairs in her room, Marissa readied for bed.

  She walked over to the window in her room, letting her gaze drift over the moonlit sky. Philadelphia was beautiful at night.

  There was a soft knock on her door.

  Jillian stuck her head inside. “It’s me. I heard you moving about.”

  “I guess we were the topic of discussion after we left,” Marissa said.

  “Nope,” Jillian replied. “Harper was the focus of our discussions. Harper and Shawn had lunch earlier.”

  Marissa was not surprised. After all, they were brothers.

  “Harper is no longer with the firm,” Jillian announced.

  She could hardly believe what she was hearing. “What did you just say?”

  “Harper’s left the firm. He’s decided to start his own office.” Jillian sat down on the edge of Marissa’s bed. “Jake thinks that it has something to do with him.”

  “It doesn’t,” Marissa said.

  “How do you know?” Jillian asked. “Do you know what’s going on with Harper?”

  “I just know that it has nothing to do with Jake.”

  “Is it Uncle Frank?”

  Marissa did not respond.

  “I know that they haven’t been on the best of terms for a while now,” Jillian said. “Shawn says that Uncle Frank is very upset over Harper leaving the firm.”

  When Jillian left her bedroom, Marissa picked up her phone and called Harper.

  “I guess you heard the news,” Harper said when he answered. “I knew I would be hearing from you sooner or later, Marissa.”

  “How could you leave the firm?”

  “How can you stay?” Harper asked her. “I can’t stand being around my dad and his hypocrisy.”

  “I know that you’re angry right now, Harper. You just need some time and space from the situation.”

  “I have that by working for myself,” he announced. “You know that you’re more than welcome to join me.”

  “I don’t want to leave the firm, Harper.”

  “And you are okay with working around Frank Hamilton, your real father?”

  Marissa was silent.

  “I thought so.”

  “Whoever this person is—I wish he or she had just kept mum about this. I hate what has happened to you and your father. I hate that it’s placed a wedge between me and my mother.”

  “I had to do what was best for me, Marissa.”

  “I’m going to miss you.”

  “It’s not like we’re never going to see each other again,” Harper said. “I’m still in Philly. In fact, my office is going to be in Center City, so I’m not that far away. We’re family, Marissa.”

  After they hung up, Marissa considered calling Griffin but decided that it could wait until she saw him the next day.

  She was filled with renewed anger at what her mother had done. Marissa wanted to understand how Jeanette must have felt back then, but it still did not give her the right to cheat on her father with his brother.

  * * *

  Humming softly, Marissa sat down at her desk.

  The first thing on her agenda was to check her email. Marissa was expecting an email from a client with some documents she needed to file with the court.

  Griffin strode into her office with purpose. “I guess you already know about Harper leaving?”

  Marissa nodded.

  “Is it because of what happened?” he asked.

  “Yes. He does not want anything to do with his father.” Marissa still had a hard time thinking of Frank Hamilton as her biological father.

  “That’s too bad,” Griffin muttered. “Your dad just called a staff meeting, so I guess he’s about to reassign some of Harper’s cases.”

  She groaned. “Great. Just what I need—more work.”

  Griffin agreed.

  Marissa pushed away from her desk and rose to her feet. “I guess we’d better get in there. Daddy did not seem too thrilled with Harper just up and leaving like that.”

  “How are you feeling?” Griffin asked.

  She smiled at him. “Great, actually.”

  They walked by Roberta, who grinned and winked at Marissa.

  Jacob and Frank were in the conference room talking in low voices.

  Marissa chewed on her bottom lip. She hoped that her uncle was not in there confessing his sins. This was not the time or the place for such a conversation.

  She cleared her throat noisily as they entered the room and sat at the conference table. She folded the ends of her jacket together to hide the roundness of her growing belly.

  Once the other associates and Albert arrived, Jacob closed the door.

  Frank glanced around the room and then said, “I’m sure all of you are aware that Harper is no longer an associate here at the firm. He has decided to strike out on his own, and I for one wish him much success.” />
  No one uttered a word.

  Jacob poured himself a glass of water before saying, “With Harper gone, we are down one attorney with a heavy caseload. Frank and I will cover his upcoming trial dates through the New Year. The other cases will be divided among all of you.”

  It was just as Marissa had expected. More work.

  She was just about caught up on her own caseload; however, it would not help to complain. They all had to pitch in until another attorney was hired. Albert had just announced that they would soon start looking for Harper’s replacement.

  After the meeting, Griffin walked Marissa back to her office.

  “I’m in court this afternoon,” he told her, “but I’ll come back here when I’m done. If you’re still here, we can grab some dinner.”

  She gave him a smile. “I’ll be here.”

  When he left for his own office, Roberta walked up to Marissa. “I’ve been wondering just how long you two were going to walk around this office acting like you weren’t in love.”

  The two shared a laugh and then Marissa went to work.

  Her day was a busy one. She worked through lunch and around three, she relocated to her sofa, when her back started to ache. She kicked off her shoes and settled back against the cushions, her laptop on her lap.

  Griffin found her there when he returned to the office at five-thirty. She was so focused on her work that she almost didn’t see him standing there.

  “Are you ready to leave?” Griffin asked.

  “Yes. I’m hungry.” Marissa slipped back into her shoes and rose to her feet.

  Griffin took her laptop and placed it on her desk. “Let’s get out of here.”

  He took her by the hand and led her toward the door.

  * * *

  Two days ago, Marissa had surprised Griffin with two tickets to see the Philadelphia Eagles play on Sunday. He invited her to go with him.

  She enjoyed watching a football game every now and then, but Marissa was not as huge a fan as Griffin was.

  “Thank you,” Griffin told her as they took their seats.

  Marissa smiled at him. “I know how much you love your Eagles.”

  He gave her a sidelong glance. “So, what do you think?”

  She glanced around the stadium, then down at the field. “Honestly?”

  Griffin nodded.

  “The Eagles organization needs to pay to get their cheerleaders new outfits.” She gave him a pinch on the arm. “They are much too distracting.”

  He laughed.

  Marissa lowered her voice and whispered, “Some of these football fans are pretty trashy. Look at that guy over there. He is so drunk that he has already passed out. He won’t see any of this game.”

  Griffin smiled. “I guess this is what he considers a good time.”

  The game started.

  Marissa found the game riveting—more so than she thought she would. She cheered for every touchdown and got upset with every fumble.

  After the game, they went to Griffin’s apartment. He had purchased a team jersey for Marissa, and she tried it on for him.

  “Thanks for today,” Griffin said. “I always enjoy an Eagles game, but today was special. It was nice to be able to share this part of my life with you.”

  Marissa was touched by his words. “I actually had a good time, as well.”

  She settled against the cushions of his sofa.

  “Hungry?” Griffin asked. “I can make us some sandwiches and a salad. I have some deli meat in the fridge.”

  “I’ll take the salad,” Marissa said.

  He got up and went into the kitchen.

  Marissa stretched out on the sofa. She was tired.

  When Griffin returned, he found her fast asleep.

  Chapter 21

  The next day, Marissa went back to Griffin’s apartment with him when they left the office.

  She placed a quick call to let her mother know that she would not be coming home that night. “I don’t want my parents to worry,” she told Griffin.

  “I understand. I’m a bit surprised that your father isn’t coming after me with a shotgun. I’m sure they know we’re sleeping together.”

  She chuckled. “I have a feeling that my parents try not to think about what we may be doing.”

  Marissa’s eyes traveled around the apartment, taking in the tasteful but sparse furnishings.

  “I like the space,” Griffin explained. “I didn’t want the apartment to look crowded, but don’t worry. We are not going to live here after we get married. I’d like for us to start looking for a house.”

  “This place is nice, Griff,” Marissa said. “You have three bedrooms, so there is enough room for the baby and me.” She did not want Griffin to feel pressured about buying a house. Becoming a father and soon-to-be husband was enough to deal with for the moment.

  He shook his head. “I want a house for our daughter.” Griffin’s tone brooked no argument. “She deserves the best that life has for her.”

  “Okay,” Marissa said with a smile. “We’ll start looking for a house. I have a friend who is a real-estate agent. We can meet with her sometime next week if you’d like.”

  “I still can’t believe we’re here like this,” Marissa confessed later as they lay on the floor in front of the fireplace. “This still feels like a dream to me.”

  Griffin’s eyes traveled over her face and then slid downward. “It’s very real, sweetheart. When I came to work at the firm, I never expected to meet or fall in love with anyone. I was there to prove myself and make partner one day. I was going to follow Albert Clark’s advice to the letter. I wanted to prove that I was just as good as a Hamilton, if not better.”

  Griffin met her gaze straight-on. “I want you to know that you changed all that for me, Marissa.”

  The air around them suddenly seemed electrified.

  “It was the same for me, Griff. I did not come to the firm looking for a man. I was there to prove that I could be just as good an attorney as the rest of my family. I wanted their respect.”

  “You’ve earned it, Marissa. They are all very proud of you.”

  It pleased her greatly to hear this.

  He touched her face. “I never thought I could love anyone as much as I love you.”

  She awarded him a smile. “Griff, I have waited such a long time to hear those words.”

  “Why didn’t you ever tell me how you felt?” Griffin asked.

  “After our first night together…I wanted to tell you, but then you told me that you wanted to keep our relationship strictly professional.”

  “I’m so sorry for hurting you, Marissa. At the time, I thought I was doing the right thing.”

  “How do you really feel about it now? Is this the right decision for you, Griff?”

  “Yes,” he said. “I can’t imagine my life without you in it, Marissa.”

  It took a moment for Marissa to find her voice. “I feel the same way. My heart truly belongs to you, Griff.”

  Griffin pulled her into his arms, holding her close. He kissed her.

  Marissa laid her head against his chest. Whenever she was in his arms, the only way she could define the feeling she got was that it was like coming home.

  It felt perfect.

  It felt right.

  His mouth covered hers once more.

  Happiness welled up in Marissa. She could feel her heartbeat racing and desire igniting in her belly. She felt as if she were losing herself in Griffin. It was as if the two of them were becoming one being.

  Turning in his arms, Marissa lifted her mouth to him, kissing him softly.

  Unnamable sensations ran through her as Griffin’s hands traveled down her body. She felt the heat from their closeness and her
body began to burn with his touch.

  He gently grasped Marissa’s hand, his fingers folding into hers. “I want you to meet my parents,” he told her. “Saturday morning. We can tell them about the baby and our engagement. The ball is that night. Then on Sunday, we will tell your parents.”

  “No more secrets,” Marissa murmured. “Well, except the one about my mom’s affair. Griff, I really don’t know what to do about that situation. I do not want to see my dad get hurt. He loves my mother so much. I believe that she also loves him, but what she did was wrong.”

  “You and your mother have to talk about this, Marissa. It is the only way you’ll find some measure of closure.”

  She gave a slight shrug. “I don’t know, Griff. Maybe I should just let this secret die with me. I just hope that the person who contacted Azure will leave it alone, as well.”

  “Honey, I don’t think you can ever just forget this.”

  “But I can try to move on,” Marissa said. “Harper is so bitter right now. I don’t want that to be me. My mother is not perfect, but she is still my mother.”

  “I will support you in whatever you decide,” Griffin stated. “No matter what happens, we will find a way to get through it together.”

  * * *

  Griffin introduced Marissa to his parents on Saturday.

  “It’s very nice to meet you,” his mother said with a warm smile.

  He sat down beside Marissa and took her hand in his. “There’s something we need to tell you both,” Griffin said. “Marissa and I are engaged.”

  “I knew it,” his mother said. “I told your daddy that you were planning to get married. I had a feeling when you called and told me you were bringing Marissa to meet us.”

  “There’s more,” Griffin told them. “We are also going to have a baby.”

  “Oh,” his parents said in unison.

  “I love Marissa with my entire being,” Griffin stated. “We are excited about this baby and are looking forward to becoming parents. We plan to get married before the baby comes.”

  His mother gave him a knowing smile. “I can see how much you love Marissa.”

  “I guess we had better start picking out names for our grandchild to call us,” his father said. “I think I want to be called Paw-Paw.”