Read Someone Like You for Free Online Page B

San Francisco, it had often started closer to five-thirty, but she wasn’t on the partner track anymore.
    â€œI have three kids,” Tina said. “They might be out of school, but I still have to get them off to their activities. Little Jimmy’s in the baseball camp down by the park and Natalie is…” She pressed her lips together.“I don’t think you’re that interested in my children, are you?”
    â€œI’m sure they keep you very busy,” Jill told her, trying not to stare as she noticed the other woman was wearing a polo shirt and Dockers. In a law office?
    Tina caught her gaze and tugged at the front of her shirt. “Mr. Dixon didn’t care if I dressed casually. You didn’t want me to wear a dress, did you?”
    Her tone indicated that it didn’t much matter what Jill wanted. “You’re fine,” she said, reminding herself that it wasn’t important. Who was there to impress?
    â€œGood. Then I’ll just show you around. This is the reception area. You probably guessed that. Recently closed cases are in that cabinet back there.” She motioned to a set of dark wood file drawers.
    Not even locked, Jill thought in amazement.
    â€œThe older files are all stored upstairs. Your office is in here.” Tina walked through the open door and Jill followed.
    The fish motif was in full swing. Dozens and dozens of those from under the sea had been mounted on wooden plaques and hung on nearly every inch of avail able, paneled wall space. Fishing net draped across the front of the large wooden desk, where a couple of long-dead starfish hung on precariously.
    Bookcases lined two walls, while two open doors led to what looked like a storage room and a bathroom.
    â€œIt’s very…” Jill turned in a slow circle and searched for the right word. Or any word. “Clean.”
    â€œThere’s a service that comes in once a week,” Tina told her. “The coffeemaker’s in the storeroom. I guess Icould make it if you want me to, but Mr. Dixon always made his own.” Her dark brown eyes turned misty. “He was a wonderful man.”
    â€œI’m sure.”
    â€œThe heart attack was very sudden.”
    â€œWas he at work?”
    â€œNo. Out fishing.”
    Of course, Jill thought, trying to avoid beady fish-eyed glares from the décor.
    Tina took a step back toward the reception area. “The paralegal comes twice a week. She’s home with twins, so sometimes she can’t make it in, but she gets the work done. I’ll let you know when I have to be gone. I try to bunch up things like games and doctors’ visits, so I’m not always running back and forth.”
    Jill had a feeling that Tina would go out of her way to make herself scarce.
    â€œWhere are Mr. Dixon’s open cases?”
    Tina pointed to the desk. “There are a couple of wills, that sort of thing. Oh, and you have some appointments. Mr. Harrison later today and Pam Whitefield on Wednesday.”
    The latter name startled Jill. “Is this the same Pam who married Riley Whitefield?”
    â€œThat’s her. She said she had some trouble with a real estate transaction.” Tina shrugged.
    â€œI’m surprised she’s back in town.” Pam had been a couple of years ahead of Jill in school and had always made it clear she was destined for a great future that didn’t involve Los Lobos.
    â€œShe never left.” Tina inched toward the door. “I’ll be out front if you need me.”
    Jill glanced around the office. It was like standing in the middle of an aquarium for deceased fish.
    â€œMr. Dixon caught all of these himself?” she asked.
    Tina nodded.
    â€œPerhaps Mrs. Dixon would like them as a reminder of her late husband.”
    â€œI don’t think so.” Tina shifted back a bit more. “She told me she liked knowing they were here in the office. Sort of like a