44- That week

Since I haven’t passed the New York bar to be licensed there, he can
handle things on that end. He’ll file the papers when we’re ready.”
Emma’s professional, no-nonsense approach gave Hazel the first spark of
hope she’d felt in days. “You really think we can straighten this out and save
Café Tuscany?”
“Absolutely, if that’s what you really want.” She studied Hazel with a
penetrating look. “Is it?”
“Of course,” Hazel said without hesitation. “Why would you even ask
something like that?”
“Because you’re still here. Even with all this needing your immediate
attention, you didn’t run straight back to New York after the reunion.”
“Because of Cassie’s mom and then Caleb,” Hazel said, feeling oddly
defensive.
“Isthat all?”
“Yes.”
“The funeral was weeks ago,” Emma pointed out. “Karen’s getting back on
her feet. Are you ready to go back to New York?”
When Hazel started to respond, Emma held up her hand. “You don’t have to
answer me now. Think about it. Something is keeping you here. Could be it’s
nothing more than a delaying tactic, because you haven’t wanted to face what’s
going on in New York. But that’s not like you. It could be that you’re feeling the
same pull that Cassie felt, the same pull that Lauren mentions from time to
time.”
“And you?” Hazel asked. “Are you feeling it, too, Emma?”
“Maybe,” she admitted. “Just a little. Being here is good for Caitlyn. I can’t
deny that. And Denver is a rat race for me, no question about it.”
“Then you have been thinking about staying,” Hazel concluded.
“Not thinking about it, not consciously, anyway. But the possibility is just
there. I can’t ignore it forever,” she said with a sigh, then shook her head. “But
we’re talking about you now. I just want you to be sure you understand why
you’ve stayed here, rather than go back to New York to kick butt and settle all of
this weeks ago. That’s what I would have expected you to do.”
“Are you saying I’ve been acting like a coward?”
“I’m not making any judgments. You have to figure out what you really
want before you make a final decision about how you want me to handle this.”
Hazel nodded. “You’re right. I’ll think about it and I’ll call you before you
head back to Denver.”
“Take your time. I’m actually thinking about sticking around all week.”
“Oh, really? Does Ford Hamilton have anything to do with that?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Emma snapped impatiently. “It’s for Caitlyn. And
because this case of Sue Ellen’sI’m working on is getting closer to trial. I have
witnesses to depose and a ton of last-minute details to handle right here.”
Hazel grinned. “Whatever you say.”
“That’s the truth.”
“Maybe you should do some thinking over the weekend, too,” Hazel teased.
“Maybe I’m not the only one whose feelings are ambivalent these days.”
Emma scowled at her. “Keep it up and I’ll charge you my regular fee.”
Hazel shuddered. “Then I really would go bankrupt.” She bent down and
kissed Emma’s cheek. “Thanks, sweetie. I’ll call you.”
Emma waved, then called out just as Hazel was about to get in her car. “By
the way, one piece of advice for right now—steer clear of Mr. Lee. No matter
whathe says about being after Bobby, not you, you can’t trust him. From now
on he needs to go through me.”
“I don’t think that’s going to work,” Hazel told her, thinking of the way her
relationship with Mr. Lee was progressing and just how badly she wanted it to
windup in bed.
“Why not?”
“Because we’re just a little bit beyond needing an intermediary.”
Emma’s eyes widened. “Please tell me you’re not sleeping with him.”
“I’m not sleeping with him,” Hazel told her solemnly. “More’sthe pity. But
I’m definitely hoping that will change.”
“Are you nuts?” Emma demanded.
“Nope. For the first time in a long time, I’m finally going after something I
want. I’m paying some attention to my personal life.”
“Do you want Mr. Lee more than you want Café Tuscany? Because that’s
whatthis could come down to,” Emma warned.
Her vehemence took Hazel by surprise, but it didn’t scare her the way Emma
had obviously intended it to. That wasjust one more thing she was going to have
to think about over the weekend.
“Yes, I imagine it is,” she said, her expression as fierce as her tone. “I
imagine you thought you could try all sorts of sneaky tacticsto get what you
wanted from Hazel and no one would call you on it, but I’m here to tell you
otherwise.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Why don’t you come in and
explain it.”
She stepped into the room, took note of the piles of paperwork. “Working on
the Café Tuscany case, are you?”
Mr. Lee sighed. “Hazel told you.”
“She told me everything. I’m now representing her.”
“Good.”
She blinked at that. “Good?” she said, sounding ever-so-slightly more
hesitant.
“She needs a strong advocate. Obviously, I can’t be that for her.”
“I’m glad you understand a little bit about ethics. I was beginning to think
you were totally clueless.”
He regarded Emma curiously. “What exactly has Hazel been telling you?”
“I’m not at liberty to discuss that.”
“And I’m not asking for details about Café Tuscany’sfinancial mess. I’m
asking you what she’s told you about the two of us.”
Emma seemed to be weighing the ethics of saying anything about that, as
well. “Enough that I suspect you’re crossing the line,” she said finally.
“Did she say anything about objecting?”
“That’s beside the point. It’s wrong. You have to know that. Go back to New
York, Mr. Lee. You’ll be contacted by an attorney there. Hazel will come in and
answer all your questions, and we’ll get this mess straightened out.”
“I’m not convinced Hazel has any answersto my questions,” he said.
“Then what are you still doing here?” she demanded.
“Bobby Rinaldi has all the answers. He’s been in touch with Hazel once. I
imagine he will be again. Why don’t you convince her to let ustap her phone or,
at the very least, hook up a caller ID?”
“I’ll discussit with her.”
“I’ve already mentioned it. She refused.”
Emma’s expression turned thoughtful. “I imagine she doesn’t want her
parents involved.”
“So she said, but the bottom line is, the longer she stays with them, the more
likely they are going to get drawn into this. Bobby will call there again. If her
mother answers, I imagine he’ll get an earful. Hazel says her mother’s fit to be
tied and ready to tell him just that.