by R. C. Martin
I smile, not missing the way her eyes cut to Ava when she makes her offer. Ava neglected to inform me about Meghan while on our lunch. As wrong as it might be to gossip, I have to get the goods on this one.
I mean—come on! No underwear.
“Thanks. I’ll remember that,” I say kindly.
While I might not trust her, or the man she works for, I know better than to stir up trouble on my first day.
“Avangeline.”
We all turn at the sound of Dane’s voice. I’m slightly relieved to find him looking right at me from where he stands in his doorway.
“Have you finished with Sigourney? I’d like to sit down with her and go over my schedule for the rest of the week.”
“Sigourney?” Meghan mutters in question.
I don’t even have to look at her to know her opinion of my name. Her tone says it all.
“I thought you said your name was Sally.”
“I think we’ve covered most of the bases. Sally’s all yours,” Ava speaks, addressing Dane and effectively silencing Meghan.
“Excellent,” he says before tilting his head, signaling me toward him. “In my office, please.”
“Duty calls,” Allen pipes in with a smirk. “I’ll be seeing you.”
He winks at me—actually winks at me—and then leisurely strolls in the direction of his office. I look at Ava, my eyes wide in awe, and she giggles with a nod of understanding. She then waggles her fingers at me before returning to her office, as well.
Quickly, I step into my generous desk space to grab a newly acquired legal pad and pen to jot down notes. When I turn to follow after Dane, I’m startled to find Meghan standing directly behind me. That’s the second time this has happened to me today. While this morning’s run-in may have been more than a little awkward, I prefer it over this one. The soft glare Meghan is throwing my way, hardly disguised behind her predatory smile, is more than a little confusing.
“I just want to make one thing perfectly clear. No matter how many times he winks at you, he’s off limits. Look all you want, but don’t touch.”
My jaw falls open slightly as she starts to walk away. I’m quick to snap it shut when she stops and glares at me from over her shoulder.
“On second thought—don’t even look.”
Dumbfounded, I watch as she saunters after Allen, swaying her hips as she goes. I’m not exactly sure what I’ve unknowingly walked into, but based on Ava’s intel, I’ve got a pretty good guess. I shiver in disgust. There’s no way Meghan is older than me. If she is, it’s not by much, making Allen old enough to be her father. The thought of the two of them together is just gross. I simply cannot wrap my head around the idea of being legitimately interested in a man over twice my age.
“Sigourney,” Dane calls, yanking me from my reflections.
I shake my head clear, discarding my opinions of sex with old men, and step into his office.
MY FEET ACHE by the time I get home. Entering my apartment building, the thought of climbing even the one flight of stairs it takes to reach my door makes me want to cry a little. It’s been a very long, interesting, exhilarating day. All I want to do is go inside, call Ellery, and fall into bed.
But first—the stairs.
“Well, hello there, young lady.”
I turn from where I stand, leaning pathetically against the wall at the foot of the stairwell, and smile at my new neighbor.
“Hi, Otto.”
His head jerks in surprise, and his eyes light up as he exclaims, “You remembered my name!”
“Of course, I did,” I laugh. “You’re the only person I know outside of work. How could I possibly forget you?”
“Oh, well, you never know with young folks these days,” he says with an innocent shrug.
Noticing he appears a little more spiffed up than he did the last time I saw him, I give him a proper look. Even hunched over, he’s about my height, and I can imagine he was a very strapping, handsome young man in his day. Now, his thinning white hair is combed over, and his cheeks are a bit droopy. Though, his brown eyes still hold a bit of sparkle that I like. He’s wearing a pair of khaki slacks with a red, short-sleeved button-up, his outfit made perfect by his plaid bowtie.
“You’re all dressed up. Where are you coming from?”
“Bingo. Yeah, I play every Tuesday over at the American Legion.”
My heart melts at his reply. He’s so adorable, I can hardly stand it.
“That sounds fun. Did you win?”
“Oh, honey, I always win. Spendin’ time with the fellas is certainly a treat.”
Grinning, I tell him, “I’m glad to hear it.”
“Might I ask what you’re doing at the bottom of the stairs?”
I giggle, which quickly turns into a groan as I admit, “I put my feet through a lot today, Otto. They’re not exactly thrilled about tackling these stairs.”
“Well, I’ll tell you what. I’ve got myself a sore knee. Maybe if we help each other up, we’ll make it home tonight.”
He offers me his hand, and I simply cannot refuse. I barely even pay attention to my aching feet as he chats with me on our slow journey to the second story of our building. When we’ve reached the landing, we bid each other goodnight before we each retire for the evening. I kick my shoes off as I lock the door, groaning pathetically when I lean over to pick them up and take them to my room. I make quick work of changing out of my work attire, and throw my hair up into a ponytail as I head to the kitchen in search of food. After fixing a small plate of leftovers, I return to my room, arranging myself comfortably at my little make-shift desk. I consume a couple bites of my dinner while I wait for my laptop to power on, and then pick up my phone to call Ellery.
The line rings three times before I hear, “Oh, my god, I’m a shit sister!”
“No, you’re not,” I drone with an eye roll. “What’s up?”
“I had a long day, so Pryce thought it’d be a good idea for me to stop by the restaurant for dinner.”
“Did he get you a spot at the chef’s table?” I tease, knowing how much the both of them hate his boss.
“Hell, no! He loves me, remember?”
“I do,” I mumble around a bite of dinner.
“Anyway, it’s loud in here. I want to hear all about your day, but—”
“But you’re at one of the hottest restaurants in L.A., and it’s kind of hard to have a conversation with me at the moment. I get it. No big deal,” I tell her sincerely.
“I’m so sorry. Really. I know today was important and—”
“Just do me a favor?” I interrupt. “Order one of those fancy chocolate desserts I like so much and eat it for me. I’ll send you an email with the highlights, and we can catch up later this week.”
“The email sounds perfect. The chocolate sounds like something that’ll go straight to my ass.”
“Please,” I laugh with another eye roll. “You’re annoying. Eat the chocolate.”
“Fine,” she concedes.
I smile wide, knowing she must be, too. Talking her into chocolate is never hard.
“I’ll let you go. Tell Pryce I said hi.”
“I will. I love you.”
“Love you, too. Bye.”
I end the call and set my phone aside before taking another bite of my leftovers. I turn my nose up at my plate even as I chew, wishing I was eating one of Pryce’s dishes. I’m not bad in the kitchen, but I’m certainly no chef.
Shoving aside my appetite for all things delicious and decadent, I open my browser to construct an email to Elle.
from: Sigourney Salenger
to: Ellery Reinhart
date: Tue, Sept 3, 2019 at 7:34pm
subject: Esquire Lickable
Elle-my-belle,
As promised, here are the highlights of my day…
-I met my boss while he was wearing nothing but a towel
-He refuses to call me Sally (apparently, it doesn’
t “suit” me)
-His dad is a perv who’s sleeping with his secretary
Have I got your attention now???
Call me!
Miss you.
Sticks
HOPING TO START day two off on the right foot, I stop to pick up a latte and a coffee—with cream and no sugar—before using my key card to ascend to the forty-ninth floor. In spite of my errand, I’m still at my desk fifteen minutes early. I spot Dane already hard at work in his office, but he doesn’t look up if he hears me. After stowing my purse, I take both of our beverages in hand and approach his door. I lightly tap the knuckle of one of my fingers against the glass, and his head pops up at the sound. Smiling, I hold up his coffee, and he offers me a minute smirk before waving me in.
I push open the door with my shoulder, and make my way to his desk, setting his coffee in front of him as I murmur a soft good morning. It’s impossible to see him and not remember what he looks like half naked, but I do my best. After sending my highlight email to Ellery last night, I wasn’t really surprised when she called me two hours later, demanding every single detail about Dane. I totally gushed like an adolescent girl, and then decided the only thing left to do was put it behind me. So far, I like my job, and I have no intentions of screwing this up.
“You don’t have to bring me coffee every morning. I am capable of making my own.”
“I don’t mind. Really,” I assure him with a shrug.
He studies me for a moment, making me feel anxious, and then jerks his chin toward one of the chairs beside me.
“Have a seat. I wanted to go over a couple of things we didn’t discuss yesterday.”
“Will I need to take notes?” I ask, already starting to make my way back to my desk.
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Okay.” I do as I’m told, sitting across from him before taking a sip of my latte.
While this isn’t the first time I’ve been in this very chair, I find myself fighting the urge to fidget and look around. Dane is no less intimidating today than he was yesterday; and being in his space only makes his presence that much more powerful.
His stainless steel desk, which is more like a wide table—no drawers or undercarriage—is placed a few feet back from the center of the room. The black leather chair he occupies matches the similar black seating on the opposite side of the desk, the arms of each chair made of a hollowed steel frame. Behind me, to my right, there’s a black couch with two matching sitting chairs, a low-set, glass coffee table, and a large, white lambskin rug, making the space complete. To my left, there’s a small, round, black glass-topped conference room table in the far corner of the suite. For all intents and purposes, this is his domain in every way.
“There are two associates under my supervision,” he informs me, pulling me from my thoughts. “You didn’t have a chance to meet them yesterday, but you will today.”
“What are their names?”
“Lydia and Chandler. This will be their second year with the firm, so I expect them to have a clear understanding of how we work around here. They’re aware of my expectations. What I need you to be aware of is that there is such a thing as because Dane said so.”
When I tilt my head in confusion, he leans forward and clarifies, “There will be times when I give you tasks or instructions that you need to pass along to them. Some of these tasks might be time sensitive; some of these instructions might interrupt whatever it is that they are doing. When I’m not here, you will be my point of contact, which means you are my voice in my absence. They’re not allowed to tell you no. Are we clear?”
I inhale deeply, sitting up taller as I try and process what he’s just told me.
“That’s—a lot of responsibility on day two.”
While I won’t deny it’s a bit thrilling to know I have that sort of power, it’s also a bit intimidating. I’ve literally been here for one day, which makes them more tenured than me.
“Am I wrong to assume you’re capable of handling it?”
“Wh—? No. No, not at all. It won’t be a problem,” I stutter.
“Good.” He stands, reaching for his coffee, and I do the same before he says, “They’re here. You can meet them now.”
I face the door as they enter the room, and just one look at them makes my heart ache. They’re my age, maybe a little younger, and the eager expressions they wear have me feeling jealous. I should be where they are. I should be in my second year at a firm, working to become a full-fledged attorney. Instead, I’m on the outside looking in. Sure, I’ve been given the right to boss them around, but that’s not what I want. That’s not the dream.
I try my best to smile and act pleasant, in spite of how I feel. It’s not their fault I am where I am. Nevertheless, I’m relieved when Dane dismisses me to get started with my day. Since I’m still learning the ropes, it’s not hard for me to get lost in my tasks. Before I know it, half the morning is gone. The only reason I even stop to look at the clock is because of my bladder, which is apparently ready to finally dispose of my coffee from earlier.
Glancing into Dane’s office on my way to the restroom, I make note that he’s not currently at his desk. I’m not sure where he is, but I know that he doesn’t have to be in court until tomorrow. With the orders he doled out to Lydia and Chandler earlier, I assume that most of today will be spent polishing up on the case notes and preparing for the trial. I’m not sure what the case is, but I wish I knew. Perhaps, when it’s all said and done, I can glance through the files I’m sure he’ll have me stowing away. I’ll take a peek in order to check out the specs. I genuinely want to soak up as much as I can while I’m here.
It doesn’t take me long to handle my business in the restroom. After quickly washing my hands, I hurry back to my desk. I’m halfway there when I hear what sounds like an argument in the reception area. I recognize the sound of Meghan’s voice right away, which is my cue to keep on walking and stay out of it—but then I hear Dane’s name. My feet automatically slow my pace, until I’m no longer moving at all.
“Please,” the unfamiliar voice begs. “I just need five minutes of his time. I—”
“Ma’am, I’m not sure what kind of law firm you think this is, but we don’t do walk-ins. Unless you have an appointment—”
“I understand that, but—”
“Great. I’m glad you understand. Now, the door is—”
“No, please! My boys are at school, and this is the one morning I have off this week. It’s the only chance I have. Please, can you just—”
The desperation in her voice makes it impossible for me to keep my distance a second longer. Meghan is unyielding in her dismissal, and this woman sounds on the verge of tears. When I peer around the partial wall behind the reception desk, I scowl at the sight of Meghan almost shoving the poor woman toward the door.
“Hey, what’s going on?” I ask, making myself known.
The stranger’s gaze snaps in my direction, and her eyes tell me all I need to know. She’s not just desperate, she’s hanging on by a thread. She looks exhausted. Her dull, curly, brown hair is barely tamed, hanging down to her shoulders. She’s wearing blue jeans and a faded green t-shirt underneath a gray cardigan—all of it hanging from her body as if she purchased the clothes when she was fifteen pounds heavier. It appears as though she ran out of the house, stopping only to grab her purse and the files she’s hugging against her chest.
“I’m handling it,” Meghan mutters, stealing my attention.
I draw a step closer, wanting to hear this woman out as much as I want to save her from the cold-hearted treatment of Meghan. “She mentioned Dane. Maybe I should be handling it,” I offer, keeping my tone even.
She removes her hand from the stranger’s shoulder and presses her fist against her hip as she informs me, “We don’t do walk-ins around here. If she wants to meet with an attorney—an executive attorney—she’ll have to schedule an appointment.”
“Well, I have a minute. I also have acces
s to Dane’s schedule, so—” I pause, giving the stranger my attention and ignoring Meghan as I go on to say, “Would you like to come with me?”
She nods, pressing her lips together in an obvious attempt to keep herself from crying. I smile at her gently and hold out my hand, instructing her to walk around the reception desk. Meghan puffs out a sigh, and I catch sight of her sneer before I escort the distraught woman to the empty conference room with the spectacular view. Except, as we both take a seat, I find that she captures my full attention.
“Thank you. Thank you for not turning me away. My work schedule is unpredictable; and with my boys, it’s hard for me to get away unless they’re in school.”
I fold my hands in my lap and cross my ankles, casting a sympathetic look her way as I explain, “I can’t guarantee you a meeting with Mr. Croft. I hope you understand.”
She sniffles, quickly setting down her folder and opening it, as if she knows she’s on borrowed time. When she pulls out a newspaper clipping and hands it to me, I only glance at it before she starts to speak.
“I saw this article in the paper, about the pro bono case he won a couple weeks ago. I looked into him. The company website, it doesn’t talk about all of his pro bono work, but I googled it and saw that he’s taken on quite a few charity cases over the last six years or so. I knew it was a long shot, but I had to come. He’s rumored to be one of the best—and that’s what I need. I need one of the best; but I can’t afford him. I thought, I thought maybe if he heard my case, then he would take on what so many have told me they won’t.”
I feel my lips part open in awe as I hear what she’s told me. Taking a second look at the clipping in my hands, I properly read the heading. “Big Fish, Dane Croft, Winning for the Little Guy.” For a second, I’m taken aback by this revelation. Sure, there’s plenty about my boss that I don’t yet know, but generous isn’t exactly an adjective I’d use to describe him. In my limited amount of time with him, it’s not hard to believe he fights to win. Except, the cut of his suit implies that he fights to win for pay.
