Fire and Silk

Chapter Three

Present Day - Grayson’s POV

“What the hell is this mess?” I ask looking up at the Richard twins across the conference table. Jai sighs and curls a strand of hair out of her ponytail around her finger in an adorable nervous habit. At seventeen I realized she was the most beautiful girl in the world, and that fact has only become more solid as time has gone on. Next to me Kandice scoffs, bringing my attention back to the present. “Grayson, that’s no way to talk to clients,” she scolds as she drags a long red nail down my arm as if that’s more appropriate behavior. This woman is dynamite in bed, but damn is she annoying and has nothing on Jai. Seeing them in the same room is a shock to the system. I see Jai roll her eyes, noticing Kandice’s unprofessional seduction attempt and Troy just chuckles, “If that’s the worst he says during this meeting then I’ll be surprised. Kandice just glances at the twins and Jai speaks up with a tight smile, “You must be new at Mr. Cook’s firm, we’ve been friends of Grayson’s and his family since childhood. That’s why we use his and his father’s firm for all of our legal needs.” Man is she professional, Jai was always the smartest, but I had no idea that between the two of them my friends would be running a million dollar fashion empire before the age of twenty-four.

“Oh, I had no idea you had a history. Grayson, darling, why didn’t you tell me?” Kandice moves closer to me and I feel as though I’m a tree and she’s a dog marking her territory. Jai and Troy exchange a look then both stare at me with raised eyebrows. “Gray, are we going to discuss this ridiculous copyright lawsuit against my sister, or are you going to continue whatever this,” Troy gestures across the table, “is?” My eyes widen at my friends’ frustration, but I get it. I don’t know why Kandice is suddenly acting so unprofessional. She is new at the firm, having gotten the job as a benefit of sharing my bed, but she was usually a very good lawyer.

Next to me I heard Kandice gasp, but I pull away and put a professional distance between us, “No, I apologize, of course let's discuss.” Troy pushes the paperwork towards me showing a random company in Los Angeles is suing Jai specifically for copyright on one of their dress designs. I slide a copy of the papers to Kandice and together we scan through their less than solid case. “This is ridiculous!” I say after reading the proof they claim to have. “Pockets? They are seriously suing due to pockets?” I look up at Jai and notice her cold stare focused on Kandice and my heart does a little flip. Are you jealous, love? Is there still a little fire in you for me too? Jai’s beautiful green eyes flit to mine and I see her expression soften, “Yes, who knew that was such an original idea?” I give her a smile earning one in return before her eyes once again freeze over and I feel Kandice grab my arm, “Well they make some fair points. How did you come up with the idea? I mean are we going to be able to argue that this was your original idea or is it stolen?” Jai’s eyes flash with anger, Troy stands up in a rage, and I even glare over at my girlfriend for having said such a foolish thing. “How dare you accuse my sister of copyright! Do you know how hard she worked to build this company? Who are your clients? Last time I checked I’m the one paying you!” my best friend yells, his voice echoing throughout the room. I notice some interns even pause outside the windows before quickly scurrying away from his temper. Jai calmly touches her brother’s arm leaning close to whisper something in his ear before calmly turning back to us as he sits down. “Mr. Cook, I’m afraid that we are uncomfortable with someone who is accusing me of stealing designs being the one to defend me in court. You know our loyalty to both you and your father, however this is our business and we can’t risk it over friendship.”

Her calm and cold words cut me deeper than I thought possible. I don’t know if the insinuation of being fired by my best friends or the woman I worship calling me so formally hurt more. I glare towards Kandice who finally seems to realize the seriousness of the situation and finally begins to backpedal, “No, Jai-,” “It’s Miss Richards,” Troy cuts her off in an icy tone. God do I not envy Kandice for being on the receiving end of his brotherly rage after having received it so many times over the years. “Oh I’m sorry I thought since we’re friends-,” Jai interrupts this time, “We’re friends with Grayson. We don’t know you.” Her tone could freeze lava. Kandice swallows and forms her lips into a tight smile, she shouldn’t have provoked these two. “Of course, Miss Richards, I meant no disrespect. I was just curious if you could prove the authenticity of your designs.” Jai and Troy once again looked at me and I knew the twins were testing me. “Troy, Jai, you know what you need to provide. I can’t fight it if I don’t have proof, but-” I stop meeting Jai’s eyes, “I know these are your designs and I will fight it.” I implore her with my eyes to believe me and she nods still keeping her expression neutral and not showing any of the warmth I usually receive.

As we stand up to leave Kandice excuses herself to the bathroom and I’m finally left alone with my friends. “She must be insanely flexible for you to have kept her around for almost four years,” Jai mutters, her face finally relaxing. Troy erupts into laughter and I can’t help the chuckle that escapes my lips, “I didn’t think you were so interested in the acrobatics of my bedroom.” Jai flushes and Troy shoots me a glare, I put my hands up in defense, “I’m just kidding around. Come on it’s been eons since we’ve hung out. Let's go get drinks tonight, please?” I can hear the desperation in my voice, but after law school my free time became less and less between working with my dad and dating the very needy Kandice. Jai sighs, “Fine, Trumble got home from his trip today so I’m sure it’ll be a fight, but we’ll come out.” My blood cools at the sound of her worthless boyfriend’s name. I’m about to complain, but Troy beats me to it, “Why are you even still with him?” Jai looks down at her fingers taking a deep breath, “Troy don’t.” Troy and I share a look then I shake my head. “Alright, whatever, we’ll meet at Jerry’s at 8,” Troy says, sighing. I nod my head and notice that Kandice is walking back down the hall, “See you guys then.” I shake Troy’s hand and wrap Jai in a tight hug smelling her hair and struggling to release her before it gets weird.