Unavoidable Chance by Annalisa Nicole Page A

profile case and I’d like you to take lead chair. I’m not going to lie to you; this case is going to be the deciding factor if we make you a partner in this firm. I don’t need to tell you that it will make you the youngest partner to date.”
    “No, sir,” I nod again.
    He continues to tell me all about the murder case and my mind travels at light speed at the ramifications of this outcome. This won’t be an easy case. There’s extenuating circumstances and a severe lack of evidence. It all boils down to convincing twelve people of the jury that one man is guilty of murder. The defending attorney is somewhat of a celebrity and is known for being a shark.
    This case will need all of my focus. I’ll have to live, eat, sleep and breathe this case. Not only do I owe the family of the victim justice and the truth, but a goal that I set for myself is also on the line. For the first time, a sliver of regret enters my mind. Maybe I should have considered the offer Asher made to me to work for his company and be a corporate lawyer with my brother, Aiden. No, this is what I’ve worked so hard for. This is what I’ve given up my nights and my weekends for. This is what I’ve given up my social life for. And this is exactly why my dad was so concerned.
    Shit.
    The promise I made at his graveside weighs on my heart. But it will only be for this case, right? After this and I make partner it will be easy sailing. No more working late into the wee hours of the morning. After this case, then I can honor that promise. I’m just delaying it, just a little.
    Mr. Foley continues to talk and finishes by saying, “I’ll have all the files on the case brought in and waiting for you when you get back from court today. I have faith in you, Ava.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Foley.”
    He leaves my office and Reagan rushes in with a very beautiful and tall yellow orchid. “This was brought in for you, here’s the card. You better get going or you’ll be late for court,” she says, handing me the card.
    I shove everything in my briefcase and take one more look at the orchid sitting on the corner of my desk. I glance at my watch and rationalize that I have exactly four minutes to look at the card and I’ll still be able to make it to court on time. I rip open the card and read the last line first, Jax.
    I start back from the top and read.
Ava,
Find the meaning of this and you’ll know just what last night means to me.
Jax
    The meaning! Are you kidding me! I don’t have time for games. I drop the card on my desk and my ass in my chair and type in ‘orchid’ in my web browser. Shit, each color of orchid means a different thing. I type in ‘yellow orchid’ and the one word meaning stands out on the page like a sore thumb and rips through my heart. Yellow orchids mean friendship. What a fucked up game to play, and what a callous and insensitive way to tell me that last night was just a freaking booty call. Well, I guess that’s for the best. With this new case, I wouldn’t have been able to fit in a new relationship anyway.
    I grab the orchid and hold it over the trashcan, but can’t let go. It is a rather beautiful orchid. I put it back on the corner of my desk, kick the trashcan under my desk, grab my briefcase and head to my car, six minutes later than I should have left.
     
    Jax
    It’s been a week since I sent Ava the orchid. We’ve been slammed at the restaurant and I was a little taken aback by not hearing from her about my gift. Not a thank you, a call, or an in person visit. I thought I had made my intentions quite clear. There were many days that I wanted to just show up at her office and tell her she’s been a very bad girl and take her against her office window again.
    So here again, I sit in my office trying to concentrate on paying bills, but instead I have Ava on my brain. I don’t know how much clearer I could have been.
    Life should not be taken for granted. I know that. I realize that more than the average person.