by Dyanne Davis
“Of course they did. I'd have to work my ass off for years to earn it. They fast tracked it for me.”
A kick to his shin from Kandi stopped Sam from saying the obvious, Chase hadn't earned the partnership. Why bother? Chase didn't care and apparently neither did Rebe. Sam took a slow sip of his water trying to calm the burn inside his chest, wanting to leave, but not wanting to give Chase the satisfaction, and not wanting Rebe to think he'd thought last night was anything but him doing her a favor. Finally he turned his attention to Rebe.
“What did Chase use this time to get you back? Was it another blimp? Or was it jewelry?”
“Rebe’s going to be second chair on this high profile case I’m trying, the one she was doing the research for,” Chase offered. “I had to think of something really big this time. She’s giving the opening and closing remarks. Can you believe she even made me sign a contract?”
“Of course I can believe she’d make you sign a contract. You aren’t exactly known for keeping your word about things. The only thing that puzzles me is how easily you were able to negotiate a price.” Sam’s gaze swung from Chase to Rebe
“A price? What kind of person do you think I am, Sam?” Rebe asked angrily.
“As the saying goes, what kind of person you are has already been established. It appears Chase had to only negotiate on the right price.”
The look on Rebe’s face made Sam cringe. He shouldn’t have spoken to Rebe like that, no matter what Chase had said or what offer of his she’d accepted. It was her life. He watched as the tears formed in her eyes. With everything in him, Sam wanted to tell her how sorry he was for saying the things he had, but he was fighting against it. Rebe deserved so much more that what she was settling for.
Taking another sip of water Sam was aware what was fueling his frustration. One night of being in Rebe’s company had made him forget that she’d changed in the past two years from being his friend to being involved with Chase. With a sigh he acknowledged what was at the root of his irritation and decided to deal with it head on. He'd forget about the kisses he’d shared with Rebe, the softness of her skin, his perpetual hard on which as he thought of it had been sent scurrying into submission.
Who the hell could maintain even a semi-erection when Chase was around spouting such nonsense? The only thing Sam had now was a headache. If he didn't leave soon, he couldn’t be held accountable for what he might do.
When thirty minutes later Chase was still talking about the case he was working on with Rebe, Sam had had enough. Standing, he took out several bills and handed them to Kandi. “I'll see you back at the apartment.”
He'd decided not to give any lame ass excuse that he had something to do, though he did. The urge to puke wasn’t imagined. When Chase stood Sam made his getaway before he'd have to be even ruder, and refuse to shake hands. The only good thing that came out of this was that he and Kandi lived within walking distance of the restaurant or he would have felt guilty leaving her. He shrugged. Okay, so he wouldn’t have left. He would have stayed and listened to Chase ramble on.
“Sam, hold on. I forgot to tell you something. I have an idea you might be interested in,” Chase called after him.
Like he’d ever be interested in any idea Chase had. Sam kept walking toward the door and took in several good breaths of the crisp air, sighing as he walked back to his apartment. The image of kissing Rebe refused to go away. Damn it all to hell.
Chase turned from where he’d been yelling at Sam to face Kandi and Rebe. “Darn, I should have told him sooner. “Kandi, give Sam back his money when you see him. I'll take care of lunch.” Chase smiled.
Rebe had been mentally absent for the past uncomfortable half hour or so that they’d joined Sam and Kandi. She was secretly glad Sam had finally left. The look he’d given her made her cringe. And his comment that she could be bought for the right price rankled her more than she wanted it to. She was feeling guilty, as though she’d made him a promise the night before. Had she? She didn’t think so. She’d said she wasn’t taking Chase back no matter what he dangled before her face, but an opportunity to open and close on a big case. She’d be crazy to turn that down. Right? She glanced up then down quickly. Kandi was staring at her with a smirk on her face when she looked at Rebe.
Rebe was aware of what Kandi was thinking of her and of Chase. Please don’t make a big deal out of Chase’s buying lunch, she wanted to say, but didn’t, not with words anyway. She did it with her eyes and by biting her lips, hoping Kandi would take the hint and just accept the lunch. Besides, what was the big deal? Chase wasn’t a bad guy and he wasn’t all bad. He was trying to be nice. He wanted to treat, and he had the money. What was so bad about that?
Yet, Kandi was shaking her head as though Rebe had betrayed not only her, but Sam. it wasn’t as though she’d been on a real date with Sam. It was no one’s business if she’d decided to take Chase back. Her friend shook her head and turned toward Chase alerting Rebe to the fact that Kandi was not going to just allow Chase to treat.
“No thanks, Chase. Sam was treating me,” Kandi insisted. She held out the bills Sam had given her for Chase’s inspection.
”Kandi, he wants to treat both of you. Please, just allow him to do this. It’s no big deal,” Rebe insisted.
“Sam wanted to treat me. It would be rude of me to…”
Just let him do this, Rebe tried to convey to Kandi, again without words.
“Kandi,” Chase interrupted. “I owe Sam. I want to do this for him for taking Rebe to her event. Seriously. He doesn’t have to pay and neither do you. I support the arts, and a starving artist like Sam needs all the help he can get.”
Now this time even Rebe groaned. “Chase, stop.”
“You two are making me forget my surprise for Sam. I would have told him myself if he hadn’t rushed out of here. I have the perfect way to repay Sam. The firm wants a mural done of all the partners. Why don't you ask Sam if he wants the job?”
“He's probably busy,” Rebe interjected.
“Please, it's obvious the guy can use the money. Hell, no artist makes it big until they die. Chase laughed. “Then it's too late to enjoy it. Just tell him about the job Kandi, and tell him, he doesn't have to thank me. I already know he'll appreciate it.”
Rebe groaned out loud and rolled her eyes. “I'm sorry,” she said to Kandi. “Chase is actually trying to be nice in his own way.” When Kandi stood to leave Rebe had also had enough. There were now two people besides her that were wondering what in the world she was doing with Chase. .Her friends, people she cared about, loved, she didn’t want them thinking she was crazy for dating Chase.
She knew very well what she was doing with him and it had nothing to do with his being a partner, well almost nothing. Besides, if they'd not already been dating when he'd made, or rather bought into the partnership, their relationship wouldn't have been allowed. But he'd negotiated her into their contract.
Rebe grimaced, not really liking that she'd been bargained over, not liking the connotation, but deciding to choose to think that Chase cared enough for her that he didn’t want them to have to hide the fact that they were dating.
There was no denying some people at the office thought of both of them as arm candy for the other. Neither of them had done a thing to dispel the talk. Neither of them had cared enough about the opinions of others. But Rebe cared what Kandi thought of her. As for Sam, his opinion of her had always mattered more than she’d ever wanted to admit.
Chapter Five
“I'll take the job.” Sam laughed at the indignant look on Kandi's face.
“Why on earth would you take the job? You can't stand Chase. My God, his arrogance knows no bounds. By the way, he paid for lunch. Here's your money.”
For a moment Sam stared at the bills in Kandi's outstretched hand before accepting them. “That was very generous of Chase.”
“Listen, I know you have something you’re planning on doing to Chase. Let me in on it.”
“Why in
the world would you ever thing I’d have a devious plan? That was what you were thinking. Admit it.”
Walking around Sam’s cluttered apartment Kandi stopped in front of a canvas he was working on. “Are you doing another painting of Rebe?”
“Why would you think that? There’s not even the hint of a person on the canvas.”
“There are certain colors you use when you’re angry, hurt or disappointed; the same as there are different colors you use when you’re happy.” She waved her hand at the canvas. Only Rebe has brought out those colors from your brushes and only when you’re truly upset with her. That’s why I know you have a plan to teach her and Chase a lesson by accepting his offer to pain his office mural.”
“You know an awfully lot about me.”
“You’re my friend. And besides that, I’m very observant.”
“Did you happen to observe that Rebe wouldn’t step foot into my apartment last night? She hasn’t crossed the threshold since the moment she…well, went back to work.” He stared at Kandi grateful that the words at the tip of his tongue had not come out. He didn’t want Kandi to know he’d taken it personally, or that he felt as though Rebe had left him. Those feeling he would keep buried.
“I noticed.’
“Why do you believe I have a devious plan?”
“Because you took the job knowing Chase will now believe you’re in his debt.”
“I actually don’t care about that. Speaking of owing someone, remember I told you Rebe’s promise. I think it’s time to see if she meant it.”
“One day, and you’re calling in your marker?”
“Yes, longer than that and Rebe might just renege. I think I'll have her write up a contract to protect me from any partner that doesn't like the way I portray them. You know, I want artistic license.”
“You’re going to make Chase look awful.”
“Probably.”
Sam laughed aware that wasn't the only reason he'd taken the job. He wanted to get a better look into Rebe at her work environment see which persona she used. If there was really nothing worth saving about her, he'd give up and leave her to her own devises. But he wasn't ready to do that until he knew for sure. He laughed again. This should be fun.
After receiving calls from both Sam and Kandi Rebe had decided it was best to go and see them and clean up the mess Chase had made. Besides she was having dinner with Chase later. It had taken some convincing to get him not to accompany her. For some strange reason it didn’t bother him that Kandi and Sam hated him. He found it amusing. She didn’t. Allowing him to accompany her would be like lighting the powder keg. Since she didn’t like running, she doubted she’d have time to duck for cover when the dynamite was ignited. So she’d bribed Chase with the possibility of them returning to their previous physical relationship in return for him waiting for her at her apartment. She had to see what was up with her friends.
Within a few minutes after being briefed by Kandi that Sam was going to take Chase up on his offer to paint the mural for the law firm, Rebe sat flabbergasted, stunned temporarily into silence.
“What is he up to?” Rebe frowned considering it. She'd not for one moment believed that Sam would accept Chase’s offer. If there was one person in the world Sam thought was more shallow than her, or one person who he absolutely couldn't stand, it was Chase. He was Sam’s nemesis if ever there was one. And the laughter in Kandi’s eyes as she talked about Sam's interest in the project just made her know it wasn't what it was supposed to be. Something about the whole thing stunk.
“What's he planning on doing?” she continued to question Kandi hoping she’d give up the info. But she wouldn't, not even the promise of the diamond earrings she'd been drooling over. Nothing worked.
“He’ll be here in about an hour. He’s working on a painting, but said he'd take a break and come over and talk to you. Rebe, I was wondering why we’re not having this conversation in Sam’s apartment.”
“There’s no reason.”
“Of course there is. Is it because it was also Jamie’s apartment? Or is there another reason that only involves Sam? You didn’t have a problem with it being your brother’s apartment when you barricaded yourself in there with Sam for two weeks. But since you left his apartment things have never been the same. Are you ever going to tell me what you and Sam did in there all alone for two weeks?”
“Let it go.”
“But we’re friends. Heck we’re best friends.”
“I know that. Listen, I’m going to call Sam and see if I can hurry him along.” Rebe took out her phone and punched in Sam’s number hoping her diversion would prevent her friend from further prying. She saw a veil of hurt cross Kandi’s eyes, but it couldn’t be helped. Rebe wasn’t ready to talk about those two weeks she’d lived with Sam.
“Sam. Can’t you drop whatever it is you’re doing and come on over?” Rebe kept her fingers crossed hoping for once Sam wouldn’t become combative.
“Be patient, Rebe. I’m working. As soon as I can take a break I’ll be there.”
When Sam clicked the phone off there was nothing to be done but sit and wait. When Sam finally came over with paint on his hands having not even bothered to clean up, Rebe groaned inwardly and gave him a look. And he gave her a grin and held his hands out to her.
“I'm an artist, Rebe. I could care less about anyone knowing what I do for a living.”
“Are you earning a living with your paintings?”
“You know, Rebe, I'm not sure if what you just asked is rude or not. Sometimes, I think you just don't think before you speak. Yes, I make my living painting, either on the easels, or the house painting I do. I've very good at my job.”
“I didn't mean anything by it. Do you think we can possibly call a truce? I thought we were headed in that direction. If you're going to take that job at my firm, I think it will work better if you don’t make a habit of snapping at me.”
“And?”
“And what do you have in mind for Chase? What are you planning on doing to him?”
“I plan to paint his portrait in oil, same as I will all the other partners.”
“You don't plan to do anything weird?”
“That depends on what you mean by weird. Do you ever write anything that I would consider weird?” Sam cocked his head to the side. “Has the pretty heroine in one of your novels ever had a happy ever after with the frog prince?”
“Nope, never,” Rebe answered softly. When Sam looked as though he was going to say more she turned away. They would do better at snapping than getting serious.
“By the way. I wanted to collect on one of those favors you promised me.” Sam waited until Rebe turned back to face him. “I can tell by the look on your face, you’re wondering which one, right? I need your legal expertise. I want you to draw up an iron clad contract for the mural. I don't want to be harassed by your firm if they don’t find everything to their liking. And I want to be paid three fourths of my money before I start the painting. I want the balance to be given to you, at the same time I receive my funds. You will relinquish the balance to me on the day I unveil the mural.
“Why are you putting so many strings on how you’re paid?”
“I’ve heard lawyers are notorious for paying their bills.”
“Sam, you should be grateful Chase recommended you for the job. You’re behaving as though you’re in great demand. What gives? Are you afraid to take the job? Afraid it might be too much for you to handle. Are you worried that Chase will have the last laugh?”
Sam pursed his lips and smiled at Rebe. She deserved to be taught a lesson about judging people, and on her assumptions. She’d judged him harshly without anything to back up her reasoning. He wondered if she’d keep her promise.’
“You promised if I needed legal help you'd be there for me, no questions asked. Am I now your client?”
“Are you going to make me regret this?”
“Only if you renege.”
“I need to get some help on
the contract, okay. If you want it iron clad I think it would be best for me to bring in someone with a bit more experience. And don’t worry, since this is part of the favor I promised you, I’ll pay the cost for the assist.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I’m aware of that. I could probably get it done for free, but I think I’ll negotiate a cash price.” Rebe gave Sam a look waiting for him to take back the comment he’d made about her and Chase. He didn’t.
“Don't ask Chase, anyone else, but him.” Sam stared at Rebe aware of the remark that hung between them. She would have to prove to him that what he’d said wasn’t true.
“Believe me, I had no plans on it. In fact I'm going to get someone from a different firm. Which make me wonder why you didn't get a different attorney.”
“Lawyers cost money. You're free. At least for this transaction.”
Rebe’s mouth opened in a gasp “Sam, that wasn’t necessary”
“You’re right it wasn’t. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“That’s not the same as saying you’re sorry.”
“Rebe, do you have any idea why I say the things to you that I do?”
“Some.”
“Tell your boyfriend I'll agree to paint the mural, and I'll be there to talk over details next week.”
“Sam, you didn’t give me an amount to negotiate.”
“Oh that. There will be no negotiations. This is my price.” He gave a slip of paper with the figure on it to Rebe and waited for her mouth to open and for her to give him a look of incredulity.
“Sam, you’re crazy. The firm is not going to pay you this much, nowhere near this. You’re an unknown. Come on, get real, and be grateful for a paying job.”
“Just worry about the contract.” He then handed her another sheet of paper with his personal clauses. “Those are also not negotiable. Do you think you can have the contract ready by next week when I go in to meet with the senior partners?”
