OBSESSED WITH TAYLOR JAMES

by Toye Lawson Brown

  Blurb

  Dillon Stevenson and Taylor James are young, carefree, and practice law at the prestigious law firm of Cartwright & Associates LLP specializing in complex litigation. The two were not just colleagues, but best friends that grew up together in the same neighborhood and attended the same high school. They separated to attend different colleges after graduation where somehow fate reunited them to practice law at the same firm. Both were vying to make partner at the end of the year. The two spots available for the lucrative title to be chosen by the Managing Partners, had Taylor and Dillon looking to further that next step in their careers by snagging the title and larger office. Until the hiring of a new attorney and an envious girlfriend, upset the applecart.

  Disclaimer

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This ebook is licensed for the buyer’s personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold, uploaded via the internet, copied, printed, or redistributed without the written permission of the publisher or author. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or if it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it to the retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  First published by BooksbyToye 2013

  Cover design copyright Toye Lawson Brown, Lenny C. Middlebrook, and David Gunnels

  Editors and Proofreading provided by Lois Jean and Kim Barnum

  Copyright © 2013 Toye Lawson Brown

  Published by: BooksbyToye

  All rights reserved

  OBSESSED WITH TAYLOR JAMES

  Chapter 1

  Taylor James and Dillon Stevenson ate lunch together on the patio of the restaurant located on the property of the building where they worked. This routine was one they did almost every day, at the same time, and if the weather permitted, outside. Today was one of those days to eat outdoors. The sun was shining, and the seventy-five degree temperature made perfect for the beginning of summer in downtown Cleveland.

  Taylor picked apart the majority of the salad she had for lunch. She did this with each purchase of a Spring-mix salad. She hated the dark purple leaves and would dig and deconstruct the salad until every bitter piece was gone.

  Sitting across from her, watching as she scavenged through the container of mixed greens, Dillon chuckled. “Why do you get that salad and then dissect it down to nothing? You have maybe two forkfuls left to eat after you’re done.”

  “Yeah, it does look pretty sad,” she laughed.

  “Why not just make a salad from the salad bar and get the stuff you do like?”

  Taylor frowned making a sour face. “Ew, I will not use the salad bar. You know I have concerns with people sneezing or coughing over open food.”

  “You are a classic germaphobe.”

  “I won’t argue that. Anyhow, I am trying to stay healthy so we can take that cruise to the Bahamas. Will Kate be able to secure a deal for us in August?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, she confirmed us for the week of August 4th. It will be good to get away for seven whole days. I’ve had it with work and need a vacation.”

  She threw her hands in the air clapping and wiggling. “Thank goodness you have a sister that is a travel agent. This has been a rough year with the heavy caseloads and Dustin quitting in the middle of a hot case. Plus, it has been hard for me to keep my tongue in check with some of the other attorneys.”

  “Tell me about it.” Dillon slathered his burger with mustard and mayo shoving a big bite in his mouth.”

  “So, have you told Kelly about the cruise yet?” She asked drizzling a tiny portion of the balsamic vinaigrette over the remainder of the salad greens.

  He shook his head. “Not yet.”

  “The excitement of holding it in must be killing you. Why won’t you tell her? She will need to request vacation time.”

  He adjusted his horn-rimmed glasses up on his straight nose. “I’m going to tell her soon. Lately, she’s been a little snippy with me.” He tapped his finger on the table nervously. “I’ve been mulling around the idea of maybe just the two of us going by ourselves….how would you feel about that?”

  Chewing slowly, Taylor lifted her head squinting from the beam of bright sun shining straight in her face. “That would be awkward.”

  “Why? Taylor, we are close friends and have been for a long time.”

  “Yes, this is true, but people also know you are engaged to Kelly. It would be best if we kept the plans the way they are and not give people a reason to talk.”

  “Geez, would it be a bad rumor being connected to me?”

  “It is not like that, Dillon, and you know it. If we went out together, it would be like dating my brother. I think of you as my brother from another mother,” she joked.

  He mumbled under his breath a barely audible reply. “One day I will get you to change your mind about me.”

  She pressed the button on her cell phone to check the time. “What did you say?”

  Dillon shook his head disposing the remainder of his lunch in the container after losing his appetite. “I didn’t say anything.”

  “Kelly is probably snapping because she is stressed from planning a huge wedding and needs a break,” Taylor said applying fresh lipstick using the mirror of her compact to see what she was doing.

  Dillon’s mouth dried when she pouted and twisted her lips to check for smudges. She had the sexiest set of lips he had ever seen on a woman. “She probably is stressed and so am I. I wanted this vacation to be my last hurrah before tying the knot.”

  “Too late for that, your hurrahs ended when you proposed. I, on the other hand, am still deciding if I should take a date or maybe go alone and meet a handsome, mysterious man on the cruise,” she said tapping a long manicured fingernail against her chin.

  Unexpectedly, he abruptly said, “I don’t want to marry her, Taylor.”

  Once the shock wore off from his words, she pounded her fist on the picnic table. “Dillon, why didn’t you bring this up when we had time to talk about it? We have to go back to work in a few minutes!”

  “Come on, Taylor. You know I had doubts about getting married.”

  “You did mention doubts and they didn’t seem serious to me. I assumed you were kidding. You and Kelly have been a couple since college.”

  “She has changed over the years. I’m getting a vibe there may be someone else in the picture.”

  Taylor leaned back looking at her friend. Dillon was the quiet type but likable and witty once he warmed up to people. He wasn’t extremely handsome or muscular, but above average in looks and stood five feet, ten inches tall, weighing around one hundred and fifty pounds with straight brownish-blonde hair and dark blue eyes.

  “We’ll have to take a break for coffee and discuss this. You can’t drop a bomb like that and not explain why you’re having suspicions about her all of a sudden.”

  He dropped his head running his fingers through his hair. “My suspicions are not sudden, I’ve always had them.”

  Taylor stood up from the table. Her five feet, six inch slender curvaceous frame, filled the sleeveless blue linen dress to perfection. Long thick black curly hair flowed over her shoulders. The auburn highlights streaking through the black tresses, stood out under the bright sunlight.

  His eyes followed the length her body to meet her angelic face. “Taylor, I need your advice. What should I do?”

 
“Kelly is not cheating on you. That girl loves you too much to jeopardize what you two have together. What you have is a classic case of cold feet, and you are getting them too soon. The wedding isn’t for another year.”

  “Maybe that is what I’m going through….cold feet.” He rose from the table to follow her. He let her go ahead of him as she started up the steps for the walk back to their office. He didn’t do it as a courteous gesture but as a way to watch her.

  Taylor James carried herself in a feminine manner. She always smelled good, dressed impeccably and spoke eloquently. He grinned as her plump hips elegantly swayed beneath the tight-fighting dress. Her bare flawless legs were shapely, and the high-heeled shoes emphasized her sexy walk as she took the stairs one at a time.

  He cleared his head as they stepped into the elevator. Taylor pushed the button for the twenty-first floor. She fingered a wisp of hair away from her face. “Do you and Kelly want to go to a wine tasting at Bella’s tomorrow night?” She asked.

  A man quickly placed his arm inside the elevator to stop the doors from closing. A handsome man of Hispanic descent stood next to Taylor. Dillon caught the expression on Taylor’s face. She flashed an intriguing smile as his mild cologne filled the car. The man’s eyes lingered on Taylor as he nodded at Dillon. Pushing the button to the thirtieth-floor—the reception area of the law firm, he settled against the wall of the elevator car looking forward.

  Dillon shook his head knowing he’d lost Taylor’s attention to the muscular, smelly stranger standing beside her, but answered her anyway. “I’ll ask Kelly if she wants to go, if not, we can go together.”

  She blinked turning her attention to him. “Um…oh okay, just let me know.”

  The doors opened to the twenty-first floor. Dillon allowed Taylor to exit first. He watched as the man tilted his head to the side checking her out. Dillon rolled his eyes slightly and moved behind Taylor to block his view as they entered the security doors.

  The pair parted ways in the hall. Taylor waved as she went to her office, and he went to his. Sitting behind his desk, he turned on the computer. His mind drifted to Taylor as it always did when he was alone.

  He adjusted his glasses and attempted to settle into work. Grabbing a manila folder from the pile on his desk, he removed the contents. Taylor poked her head inside his office. “Hey, Mr. Brantley wants to see us in his office, ASAP.”

  Dillon removed his glasses rubbing his eyes. “What does he want?”

  She shrugged her shoulders now hidden under a blue suit jacket that matched her dress. “Lynda caught me in the hall saying he wanted to see us immediately. We’ll find out what he wants once we get to his office.”

  Dillon took his suit coat from behind the chair putting it on as they left his office. Taking the elevator to the thirtieth-floor, they waited for Brantley’s secretary to announce their arrival instead of walking inside the Managing Partner’s office.

  The secretary escorted both inside the spacious office that made two of the standard-sized associate offices. Todd Brantley greeted them. “Taylor, Dillon, I’m sorry to take you away from your work, but this is worth it. I have heard how overworked you two have been recently, and I did something about it.”

  Taylor smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Brantley; we could use more hands on deck.”

  “I have you extra support. I would like you both to meet Mario Infante. He is joining the firm as a partner in the Complex Litigation department. Mario is a highly respected litigator in complex ligation among other practice areas and holds a ninety-eight percent win ratio. I think he will fit in with us just fine.”

  Mario ran his hands through his sleek black hair. His Spanish accent flowed prevalent as the words rolled from his mouth. “Todd, you’re laying it on a bit thick aren’t you?”

  “I’m not embellishing on your talents, Mario. You are what this firm needs to kick this practice area up a notch.”

  “I will make sure my work is up to par to match all the glory you are giving me.”

  “I’m sure it will and these two are on the fast-track to making Partner in a short time. They are mainly responsible for holding down the Gallop Industries matter. They have been working around the clock at achieving a settlement with opposing counsel. And, I believe they are close to getting one.”

  Dillon removed his hand from the pocket of his trousers extending it to the man politely. “That we are. Mr. Infante—we met informally on the elevator. Welcome aboard.”

  “I’m Taylor James, Mr. Infante,” Taylor said smiling and extending her hand. “I’ve heard of you and you have quite a reputation around town. If I can be of any assistance in helping you get settled, please don’t hesitate to elbow into my office and grab me.”

  Mario dropped Dillon’s hand to take Taylor’s hand in his. “Thank you both for the warm welcome and I will be sure to do that, and, please call me Mario.”

  Todd Brantley stood between his two rising-star associates. “I’m glad you offered your services, Taylor. I want you to work directly with Mario and bring him up to speed on the Gallop Industries case. The two of you will be handling that project together.”

  Dillon frowned. “Todd, are you pulling me from the case? Taylor and I have been negotiating a settlement for months. If you pull me now, it could possibly compromise all the hard work we’ve put into getting this matter settled and closed.”

  “Why would that happen? Taylor will remain on the case, and is capable of continuing the negotiations.”

  “I’m aware she is capable of handling it. I’m just saying we both have contacts we’re dealing with on different levels. Why shake the boat and have people become uncomfortable with the sudden change.”

  “Dillon, you were taken away from a bigger case to help Taylor when Dustin quit. Well guess what is back. Electric Tech Medical Products has returned to the front-burner. We need your expert talents to help put it to bed again.”

  The tone of Dillon’s voice was somewhat arrogant. “Really, my expert talents are needed? Tell me, Todd, in what capacity will I serve on Electric Tech this time? Last time all I did was coordinate and delegate work to the paralegals.”

  Todd uneasy with Dillon’s tone replied, “I had not planned on getting into specifics today, but since you’ve asked, Anderson Cartwright requested you take lead duties. Taking on Electric Tech comes with an early promotion to Partner.”

  Taylor’s eyebrow rose from the blow of Todd’s announcement. Keeping her professionalism intact, she leaned over to him. “Congratulations, Dillon.”

  Dillon’s body language did not reflect the same excitement as Taylor’s congratulations on his promotion. “Thank you, Todd, but Partner promotions aren’t made until the end of the year. Why is this requiring me to be promoted now?”

  Todd became irritated with Dillon’s persistent pressure on talking about a private matter. He suggested strongly to the man threatening to cut his own throat. “Dillon, we will meet later to discuss and go over the details of why this is happening so suddenly.”

  Dillon shrugged his shoulders. “I apologize if I sound ungrateful, Todd. Making Partner has always been my goal; I’m concerned about leaving Taylor in a loop.”

  Taylor spoke up. “Are you crazy? Take your newfound status and run with it. I’ll be fine, and Mario IS the best in the litigation business. I’m sure he will catch on quick and be able to charm the client with the change in arms.”

  Dillon threw up his arms and surrendered. Turning to Mario, he said, “Gallop is all yours. I will have my assistant organize my files and have them to you by the end of the week. Until then, I will forward you all electronic data so you can get familiar with what I’ve done so far.”

  Mario stood docile after witnessing what unfolded before him and said, “Thanks, Dillon, and congratulations on making Partner.”

  Nodding, Dillon, headed towards the door. “Todd, I’m going to call Anderson and get the ball rolling on Electric Tech. I want to get a jump on this to avoid the drama we had with them la
st time. Thank you again for trusting me with this project.”

  “Mr. Stevenson, don’t leave yet,” Todd said, folding his arms outwardly upset by Dillon’s strange behavior. “Mario, can you give me a second with Dillon and Taylor?”

  He obliged by moving towards the door. “Take all the time you need. If I can remember where my office is located, I’ll go get settled.”

  Embarrassed, Todd walked with him to the door. “My assistant, Corrine will take you to your office; I’ll be down shortly to take you on a tour around the firm.”

  Mario smiled at the older woman holding a basket filled with office supplies. “I will see you later.” He looked back at Taylor, who had lost the sparkle in her eyes and Dillon, who seemed disheartened about his promotion. “It was nice meeting both of you and I look forward to working with you. Adios,” he bid as his eyes lingered with Taylor.

  Taylor smiled gushing on the inside. Hispanic men were her weakness. Certainly she would need a crash course in Spanish to understand what he was saying if he ever lapsed into his native tongue. Although she loved the men and their culture, she never took the time to learn the language fluently. “I’ll come to your office later so we can talk shop,” she said flirting.

  Todd waited for the door to close and perched himself in front of his desk as he addressed Dillon. “I am at a loss on what to say, Dillon. We’ll meet later to discuss what happened in front of Mr. Infante. Please make sure you are available.”

  “I have to get those files together for Mr. Infante.” Dillon was gone without giving a verbal confirmation for Todd’s request or explanation for his behavior.

  Taylor released a nervous breath surprised by Dillon’s bizarreness. But he was her friend, and she needed to defend his oddness. “You have to excuse Dillon. He is under a lot of pressure with planning his wedding plus; we’ve been working practically around the clock. Besides Gallop, we have other cases we have been juggling. He is just stressed and nowhere near as peculiar as he presented himself in front of Mr. Infante.”

  Todd walked around his desk to sit down. “Right, he is getting married next year. Maybe Anderson should not have committed him to such an important project right now.”