Page 84 of Take The Risk

​She’d claimed she’d come to ask Jesse about some project she needed help with.

​Telling her to make herself at home, I hollered that there was some soup in the freezer that Jesse should heat up for her. The poor kid really did look unwell.

Chapter 31

​“Have a seat, Phoebe.” Helen ushered me to the small couch in her large office with its imposing desk with chairs opposite.

​“What’s going on?” I’d never known Helen to be so full of subterfuge. She was a “straight for the jugular” kind of person.

​“I’ll explain in a minute.” She sat down beside me. “First, I want to point out that you’re in my office. I called you on my business line, and right now, although I am your friend, I’ve asked you here as your lawyer.”

​“You’re also starting to freak me out.” I was only half-joking.

​Helen gave me a tight smile. “I just need to be clear that whatever is said here falls under attorney-client privilege.”

​“All right.”

​“Good.” Helen poured me a glass of water from the carafe on the table. “There are a couple of things we need to go over, but first I wanted to discuss the contract Amber-Rae gave you.”

​The contract felt like a snake ready to bite me. Earlier in the week, Amber-Rae had stopped by the house to tell me about her plans. She was opening a restaurant and wanted me to do the desserts for it. She’d come prepared with a contract and all. I’d told her I wasn’t really interested, but she was insistent. When I’d looked at what she’d been offering, which was an exorbitant amount, I knew something was up.

​My lawyer was in court on another case this week in Atlanta, so I’d brought it to Helen, figuring she knew Amber-Rae well enough to figure out what her endgame was.

​“You were right about the language. The fifth clause states that, if you were to agree, she would expect you to bake at your house, and while you did, you would acknowledge the house would therefore be considered a part of her business, which would give her unfettered access to your home.”

​“That’s ridiculous,” I sputtered.

​“It is. I’m betting she didn’t think you’d have someone look this over with the tight deadline she’d given you.”

​She’d come by on Tuesday and demanded my decision by Monday. Helen was supposed to be out of town for a client, which everyone knew. I was betting Amber-Rae had timed it thinking I wouldn’t have a lawyer to go over it in time.

​“She’s insane.” I picked up the water glass and took a drink.

​“She’s desperate to get her hands on your house in any way she can.”

​“But why?” It made no sense. “What is so special about the murder manor that she’ll go to these lengths?”

​“I’m honestly not sure. This is out there even for her. The complaints, zoning challenges, all of that is classic Amber-Rae. This…” She waved to the contract I’d placed back on the table. “…is a whole different animal.”

​That didn’t make me feel any better.

​“Which brings me to the other reason I wanted to talk to you.” She turned serious. “As your friend, I would hope you know I’d never judge you.” My ears started to ring. “But as your lawyer, which I am right now, I’d hope you trust my professionalism enough to be open.”

​My stomach cramped. I didn’t like this.

​“I would have left this alone, except Amber-Rae is making you a target, and she’s not above using whatever she can to win. I’ll also preface this by saying that closets aren’t precisely soundproof…”

​The ringing in my ears turning into a full-on horn blaring. I was paralyzed, unable to think. Oh, God…

​“Phoebe!”

​I swallowed, feeling like I was going to vomit.

​“It’s okay,” she assured me, pouring me more water. I took it with numb fingers. “I’m not going to say anything.”

​That wasn’t my worry. Well, it was. Sort of.

​“If it helps, I’ve known for a while.” That got my attention.