I wasn’t expecting an interview request from Julian’s firm to work as a hybrid of a legal secretary and a receptionist for one of the partners. I went into the interview concerned and emerged relieved; Julian didn’t work with the partner, wouldn’t work with the partner, and even if he rose to become a partner, we would be in two separate parts of the company.
My job wouldn’t influence his, and his wouldn’t influence mine.
They also offered what I couldn’t refuse: convenience, an opportunity to match my schedule to Julian’s, and work I could do well for good pay.
I countered for a few benefits and higher pay along with a caveat that I’d start work after my involvement with the trial, which was accepted.
Alice had landed an interview, too, and while we wouldn’t be working together, she had a future to look forward to, one where she wouldn’t have to face clients until she finished all the surgeries and treatments to repair the damage to her face.
It took a month for the case to close, and Mr. Whiteman was sentenced to six months in prison and over a million dollars in damages plus all relevant medical expenses paid to Alice. The amount shocked me, but Julian and his father seemed pleased with the verdict.
I left the courthouse with Alice, who wore her makeup in thick layers to hide the scars and damage to her face. “I wish I could have done something to stop him,” I confessed, heading to the curb so she could catch a cab.
“Me, too. But it wasn’t your fault, Chloe. He hit you, too. But you didn’t get anything, not even a new phone.”
“That’s all right. I got something even better. What would be one more charge of assault on his rap sheet? I got to say my piece in court, and that jury knows he hit me, too. If I could have been the one dragged through the mud instead of you, I would’ve done it in a heartbeat.”
“You’ve always been kind, Chloe. What happened really wasn’t your fault. He would’ve done it anyway. Maybe not to me, maybe not to you, but he would’ve done it to someone eventually. I hope he loses his license to practice law, but this will haunt him for the rest of his life, and that’s worth more to me than any jail time he faces or money he’s forced to pay out. But the damages he’ll have to pay out will cover my medical expenses with some left over.”
“Good. I’m glad.” I waited for Julian to catch up before smiling at him. “Did you bring it?”
Julian sighed. “You’re getting ahead of yourself, Chloe. She’s not running away from New York. You don’t have to give her an invitation right this instant.”
“Like hell I don’t! She might want to move. What if she wants to move? If she moves, she might not get her invitation. As long as she keeps in touch, she can have one of the official ones, but I demand you hand over the one I made.”
“You made it out of crayons and construction paper, Chloe.”
I lifted my chin. “That’s what I had readily available.”
“You dug through my study, found my childhood art supplies, and went on a rampage. You, at three this morning, decided you needed to make her an invitation to our wedding since the cards weren’t ready yet.”
“It’s not my fault the case wrapped today instead of in three weeks when we’re expecting the cards.” I stomped my foot. “I worked hard on that card!”
“Alice, please feel free to laugh when you see this. The only thing sensible about this is the date and my cell phone number, which I added so you could contact me for your actual invitation.” He handed over a bright orange piece of construction paper, which I had folded into a rather crumpled triangle.
“In my defense, it’s been a long week. Then there was something about some wine left out where I could get it. It’s not my fault he had stashes of construction paper and crayons.”
“Obviously, that’s his fault.” Alice took the card, unfolded it, and chuckled. “On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, is it?”
“Having our wedding on Christmas would’ve been a bit much,” I admitted.
Julian grinned at Alice. “We wanted Christmas just to prove she was no longer Claustrophobic, but everyone revolted when we suggested it. When Chloe suggested Black Friday, she was told she wasn’t allowed to plan any part of the wedding, which left me picking a date. Honestly, I liked the idea of a Black Friday wedding, but my mother refused to lose her best sales day of the year to my wedding.”
For the first time since the trial had started, Alice smiled. “I’ll be there. I was wondering how long it would take you to start making moves on her, Julian. Honestly, you made me believe not all attorneys are complete jerks. You’ve always been so professional.”
Julian wrapped his arm around me and tucked me close to his side. “Mr. Whiteman and his lot are complete jerks, never doubt that for a minute. But we’re not all bad. Have you had any luck with the headhunter?”
“Yeah. There’s a firm expanding, and they want me to manage internal scheduling. No more phone calls with the clients, but that was the part I disliked the most.” Alice smirked at me, and I grinned back at her.
Julian would find out he’d been snookered again soon enough, and I fully planned to enjoy my first day of work, yanking his chain and pretending I might be late because I wasn’t sure how long it would take to reach my new workplace.
“You’re up to something,” Julian informed me. “You have that gleam in your eye.”
“What gleam?”
“The one you get when you’re planning trouble. The last time I saw that gleam, you dragged me all the way to South Carolina and coerced me into marrying you.”
“Sure, sure, Julian. It’s not like you had an engagement ring, wedding rings, and other pieces of incriminating evidence in your safe.”
Alice laughed. “A piece of advice, Julian?”
“What is it?”
“You can’t win this one. Not against her. Just surrender.”
He laughed and kissed my cheek. “I already have.”
About the Author
Bernadette Franklin is a figment of imagination owned and operated by two cats, four fish, and a human.
* * *
For more information on the cats and fish, please visit The Sneaky Kitty Critic’s website, thesneakykittycritic.com.
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Claustrophobic Page 18
