Read No Test for the Wicked: A Lexi Carmichael Mystery, Book Five for Free Online Page A

the fence about the blonde thing. But, regardless of whether I could actually pull it off, I still think it’s the right approach, in spite of my anxiety about reliving the absolute worst period of my life.”
    He gave me a small smile. “You’re not the same girl you were then.”
    “No, thank God, I’m not.”
    Finn pushed his fingers through his hair, paced a few steps more. “This is all a bit tricky. Do you think we can we convince Ms. Swanson this is the right path?”
    I lifted my hands. “You’re the lawyer with the wicked persuasive skills. You tell me.”
    “Is there no other way?”
    “Well, there are lots of other ways, but none of them will keep the kids out permanently. This may not work either, but I believe it has the best chance. They’ll take me more seriously, especially from the inside. Besides, I know what to say and how to say it in their language in order to explain the gravity of the situation. Been there, done that, if you know what I mean.”
    Ben gripped his laptop and stood, pushing himself up on one arm of the chair. “She’s right. It’s a good plan, Finn. Do as she says. Work your magic on Ms. Swanson.”
    “Easy for you to say. The boss always has to do the dirty work.”
    I rose, as well. “No pity party for you. At least
you’re
not dyeing your hair blonde—not that I’ve agreed to that—or going back to high school.”
    “There’s that.” He sighed. “All right, team. I trust your instincts. Guess I’m the last on board. Let’s do this.”
    Just like that I was headed back to high school. Maybe this time around, geek girls would rule.

Chapter Four
    I picked up my phone and saw I had a text from an unknown number. I punched the button.
    First real date tonight. Dinner. Dress casual. Pick you up at seven o’clock.
    Slash. He wanted to go to dinner. On a date. I blew out a breath. Jeez, now the real relationship stuff started. In comparison, sex suddenly seemed easy.
    I read the text again. Dress casual. What the heck did that mean? Jeans, sweatpants, or just not an evening gown? Why couldn’t he have been more specific?
    I tried to calm down. I had until seven o’clock to figure it out.
    I did some work and then strolled out of my office and stopped by the cubicle of Ken Kurisu, one of my assistants.
    “Hey, Ken.”
    He looked up. “Hey, Lexi. What’s up?”
    “I have a question to ask you.”
    “Ask away.”
    “It’s not work-related.”
    “Okay. So what is it?”
    My cheeks felt warm. “Well, um, if you were to ask a girl to dress casual, what would that mean?”
    “This is a girl I like?”
    “Yes.”
    “Do you want me to be completely candid? I mean, you are my boss after all and this might be awkward.”
    “Oh.” I hesitated. “I don’t want you to feel as awkward as I feel right now, but I really could use some advice.”
    He laughed. “Okay, then I would want her dressed in some fancy lingerie.”
    “Lingerie is considered casual?”
    “Yeah, it sure is.”
    My cheeks got even hotter. “To go out to dinner?”
    “Okay, I was just kidding. Sort of.”
    “Sort of?”
    He stared at something over my shoulder and smiled.
    “Ken.”
    Silence.
    “
Ken!
”
    He blinked. “Huh?”
    “I can’t wear lingerie to a restaurant. Well, I guess I could, but it would have to be under some kind of clothes. Casual clothes. Define
casual
in this setting.”
    He blinked. “This is for you?
You?
You’re going on a date?”
    “What? Is that so hard to believe?”
    “Ah, no. Not really.”
    I sighed. “Look, just tell me what I’m supposed to wear.”
    “Damn, you
are
going on a date.” He grinned. “That’s pretty cool. Well, I guess casual depends on which restaurant he’s taking you to. Do you know where?”
    “No.”
    “Okay. Just to play it safe, I’d wear a nice pair of slacks with heels and a slinky little blouse.”
    “I don’t have a slinky little blouse.”
    “Just put some lingerie beneath an ordinary blouse. Then unbutton the