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father.

      “You handled yourself well in there.”

      “It was an easy case,” Marissa responded.

      “And you did a good job,” her father insisted as he wrapped an arm around her. “Just remember this feeling on those days when the case is a difficult one.”

      “Thanks, Daddy.”

      They walked out to their cars.

      “Why don’t I call your mother and have her meet us for lunch?” Jacob suggested.

      “I have a better idea,” Marissa countered. “Why don’t you and Mother have lunch together? I need to get back to the office.” She could not stomach being around her mother right now.

      He scanned her face as if he was trying to read her expression. “Is there something going on between you and your mom?”

      Jacob’s question surprised Marissa. “No, things are fine. I’ve just been really busy, Daddy.”

      “You’re too busy to grab a bite to eat?”

      “I’ll get something on the way back to the office.”

      “Okay,” Jacob said. “I’ll see you later, baby girl.”

      She walked away briskly and headed to the nearest exit door.

      Within minutes, Marissa was inside her car and on the way back to the office. She was in a great mood after her victory in court—it was a small one, but a victory nonetheless.

      Jillian and her brothers were all waiting for Marissa when she arrived.

      “So, how did it go?” Jake asked. “Did she plead no contest?”

      Marissa nodded. “Rita was given probation. I believe she has learned her lesson from this experience.”

      “Her mother is really sweet,” Jake stated. He and Rita’s older brother had gone to college together and were in the same fraternity.

      “Please tell me that you all are not going to be sitting here in my office like this every time I go to court.”

      Jillian laughed. “You might as well get used to the idea, Marissa. They treated me the same way when I started.”

      “Me, too,” Marcus interjected. “And I bet Dad was at the courthouse, wasn’t he?”

      “Yes, he was there,” Marissa confirmed. “Every case so far.”

      “He still comes to see me in action,” Jillian stated.

      “He comes to mine, too,” Anthony interjected.

      Marissa looked over at Jake. “When did Dad stop coming to yours?”

      Jake laughed. “When you started working here.”

      Smiling, Marissa shooed everyone out of her office. “I need to get back to work and I’m sure you all need to do the same. Leave.”

      Her first year at the law firm had been a success, as far as Marissa was concerned. She never thought she could work any harder than she did in law school, but Hamilton, Hamilton and Clark was a real pressure cooker at times.

      There had been days when Marissa thought she would crack under the strain of it all, but she would never share this with any of her family members. It would just confirm for them that she was not able to handle the pressures of being an attorney.

      The only person with whom she could be completely honest about her feelings was Griffin. He understood how she felt and never once judged her. She recalled a conversation they had had when she first started working at the firm. They were in his office going over a case.

      “Griffin, can I ask you something?” Marissa had asked him.

      “Sure.”

      “Do you think I have it easier than the other associates because I am a Hamilton? I want you to be honest with me.”

      He met her gaze and responded, “I believe you didn’t have to work hard to become an associate here after graduating from law school, but I know that your father treats all of his associates equally. It’s one of the things I respect most about him.”

      “I wish everyone was as open-minded and observant as you.”

      “Don’t let office rumors get into your head,” Griffin advised. “You can’t stop others from talking, but you do not have to give their words power. Stay focused on what’s important, and that’s proving yourself.”

      “Eminence just did an article on my family, and when you look at the photos, we look like a modern-day version of the Cosby family—picture-perfect.”

      He grinned. “Are you saying that you’re not?”

      Marissa smiled. “You know the answer to that just from the amount of time you’ve spent around Jake and Harper. I love my brother and my cousin, but I hate how competitive they are with each other.”

      “It keeps them both on their toes,” Griffin stated. “I wouldn’t worry about them.”

      Marissa’s attention returned to the present.

      Her family was anything but picture-perfect. Unspoken tensions that lay rumbling beneath the surface threatened to topple them all.

      * * *

      “How did it go in court today?” Griffin asked as he held the elevator door open for Marissa.

      “Great,” she said. “Rita should get probation and if she stays out of trouble, she’ll be able to return to college and finish her degree.”

      He glanced at Marissa as the elevator doors closed on the two of them, alone in the car. That’s what made her a good lawyer and a good person. How much she cared for her clients. She was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.

      She was also incredibly sexy, despite her conservative dress.

      And she wasn’t afraid of hard work.

      These were just a few of the reasons why he loved her.

      He pulled up short as he stole another glance her way. Loved her?

      He felt a strange sensation in his gut as he finally admitted it. Yes, he loved the very woman who was off-limits.

      * * *

      Marissa was surprised when she glimpsed her aunt in the hallway a couple of days later. Vanessa Bonnard was a renowned fashion designer who traveled frequently. She rarely made visits to the firm whenever she was home. In fact, she rarely attended any family functions—unless there were media involved.

      “Aunt Vanessa,” she murmured in greeting. Marissa struggled to meet her aunt’s intense gaze. Her mother and Vanessa had never been close, but her aunt had always treated Marissa kindly.

      “Hello, Marissa. How are you?”

      “I’m fine.”

      Vanessa’s gaze left her face and traveled downward briefly. “What a beautiful dress,” she said with a smile. “It’s quite lovely on you.”

      “Thank you,” Marissa responded. “I didn’t know that you were back from Milan.”

      “I arrived last night. I thought I’d surprise my husband for an early lunch, but it seems that he’ll be in court all day.”

      “They usually break for lunch around this time. Why don’t you give him a call?” Marissa suggested.

      Vanessa smiled. “I just may do that. Thanks, sweetie.”

      “You’re welcome,” Marissa said. “Well, I guess I had better get back to my desk. It’s good seeing you, Aunt Vanessa.”

      “You know…why don’t you join us, Marissa?” Vanessa blocked her path. “We hardly get to spend any time together. C’mon, it will

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