DARE
Kacey Hammell
Copyright © 2012
Chapter One
Olivia Warner didn’t know how in the world she let her friends talk her into tonight.
She was not in the mood to hang out—even with her three best girlfriends—at Countess , a local nightclub packed to the gills every Friday night, tonight being no exception. But it was her thirty-fourth birthday and they wanted to celebrate.
She gazed around at her friends’ smiles and listened to their laughter. She had to admit it was nice to be with them again.
Taking another sip of her Long Island Iced Tea, she tried to focus on the chatter. Candy was showing off pictures from her latest photo shoot.
“Let me see those,” Olivia said as she snatched a picture off the table.
In a sexy teddy, blue and see-through, Candy was stunning. Olivia felt a wave of envy wash over her.
Any woman would be lucky to look like Candy. At thirty-two, actress and model, she was the image of sex-appeal and never lacked for male attention.
Olivia didn’t have anything to be ashamed of with her own body, of course—just about thirty pounds she’d like to lose. And she would if she didn’t hate working out so much.
Refusing to dwell on her own weight, she smiled at Candy. “You bitch.” She winked, no vehemence behind her words. “These are awesome. These for the next spread in Beauty ?”
Candy grinned and wiggled in her chair. “Yeah. The June issue. These are a few of the shots they’re considering but they haven’t made the final decision on which to use just yet.”
“I’d keep some of those out of sight.” Jessica stacked the photos into a pile. “The men in here might get berserk. A stampede might happen.”
Candy rolled her eyes, took the photos from Jessica, and shoved them in her purse sitting beside her. “They should be so lucky to get a glimpse of them.” She laughed, then blew a kiss Jessica’s way.
“Most men live by what’s in their pants, Candy. They don’t need added encouragement.”
They all chuckled and nodded in agreement.
“Olivia, you’ve been quiet tonight. Everything okay?” Jessica asked.
Olivia sighed and toyed with her straw. Her boss had put her through hell today as she tried to prepare motions ready for court.
A legal secretary at Presley and Malone, she had to be top-notch every day. One of the most prestigious law firms in town—with a high win ratio—they didn’t just hire anyone. A lot of people would kill to work where she did. As ‘second’ secretary to the partners, Olivia wouldn’t give up her job for anything. No matter what hard work it entailed.
But some nights it was all she could do not to collapse when she got home. Presley was fifty-six, best friend to law partner, Joshua Malone Senior, and rode his employees hard. Though there were times Presley was sweet to her, he expected a lot. Plus, Senior’s son, Josh, was a pain in the ass son-of-a-bitch. As the boss’s son, he felt he could be a prick and get away with it.
With the start of a high-profile case on Monday, as second chair, he would go to any length to prove himself. She didn’t think he was ready for such a case, but the partners decided to give him a chance to be co-counsel.
One of Boston ’s biggest TV stars, Chelsea Lombardy, was accused of killing her mother-in-law. Presley and Malone were her defense attorneys but even Olivia thought the evidence spoke for itself and Chelsea ’s guilt. However, Joshua believed she was being framed.
Olivia rolled her shoulders to work out the tension. She wanted to forget about Lombardy , and enjoy the evening.
They’d all met at Boston University and had stayed in town after graduation. She loved them a lot and couldn’t imagine life without them.
“I’m fine. Just tired. A hellish day and all that. Sorry to be a drag.”
“Which Malone pissed you off this time?” Jessica asked, and circled her finger at the waitress for another round.
Olivia shoved her
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