Prologue
“Mom,Elliotwillbehere any minute. I don’t think I have time to change.” Maggie Eckland turned to the side to examine her outfit in the mirror.
Maggie’s mom, Deborah, waved away her concern. “It’s a good opportunity for him to practice. Once you’re Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Lawrence, you’ll be attending all the top tier events in the city which will require lots of primping. Now’s the perfect time for him to start learning patience.”
“I don’t want you to get your hopes up. We’ve only been dating for six months.”
“Nonsense. Why would he wait any longer to propose? He’s almost thirty. You’re young arm candy at twenty-five. It’s basically a done deal.” Propping one hand on her hip, Deborah used the other to draw an imaginary line from Maggie’s head all the way down to her nude kitten heels. “You need to show off your figure while you can. Now go. Change out of that hideous antique lampshade dress and put on this elegant little black dress.”
Maggie begrudgingly took the short cocktail dress with spaghetti straps as she explained her attire choice, “This is actually a flounce sleeve, pleated hem dress.” Scrunching up her nose, her mom disappeared behind the closing door. Continuing, as if she was still in the room, Maggie said, “And it’s all the rage onReal Estate LA.”
Real Estate LAwas her current obsession. The stars of the show fascinated her. Although they frequented fancy events and threw massive parties now, most of them started out with average lives like hers. The broker of the agency, Elyse Caldwell, captivated Maggie. Elyse mentioned that she used to be unhappy—stuck in a boring predictable routine as an administrative assistant in a small, Midwest town. Then, one day, she saw an ad for a life coach. After a few sessions, she gained the courage to move to Los Angeles and pursue her dreams.
Maggie wished for a moment of bravery like that. She’d love nothing more than to break free of her mother’s overbearing grip on her life. To break free of her soul crushing job. To break free of her need to be responsible in every situation.
Maggie sighed as she shimmied into the black dress her mom picked out.Is this made entirely of spandex?She instantly sympathized with women who had to wear corsets back in the day.Pure torture. Her lungs felt trapped by the crushing seams.
Glancing in the mirror, she recognized the girl staring back at her. It wasn’t who she truly was, but rather—Deborah’s Maggie. The version of herself that she had to be in order to keep the peace. Going against the supreme ruler, Deborah Eckland, only brought pain via passive aggressive comments that creatively scalded everyone in their path.
“Sweetheart, your handsome date is here,” Deborah announced.
Maggie tugged down the tight bodice and waddled toward the entryway.I feel like a penguin in this outfit.
“You look… amazing.” Elliot, her finely groomed boyfriend said as he held out his arms. Maggie pasted on a smile. All her mom’s friends gushed over the way he resembled Benedict Cumberbatch. Maggie agreed—he was incredibly handsome, but at this moment she was having a hard time appreciating his good looks. An uneasiness blew through her body like tumbleweed on an open road.Could mom be right? He wouldn’t propose yet, would he? I don’t know if I’m ready…
“Ready?” He asked.
“Mhmm…” Maggie gulped.
“Bye Ms. Eckland,” Elliot held open the door for Maggie.
“Goodbye you two. And please, call me Deborah.”
Maggie gave a small wave and followed Elliot to his jet black BMW. After settling in, Elliot asked, “So, how was your day?”
If Maggie responded honestly, she would say it was as dull as her eye liner pencils, but he was probably only asking to be polite. “It was good. Busy as always. How was your day?”
Elliot straightened, “Well, we’re working on a case involving a major corporation. I can’t say which one of course, but they're accused of monopolizing the pet food market which violates U.S. antitrust statutes by preventing compatibility with competitors. Wild, right?… Maggie? Did I lose you?”
“Huh… oh no, sorry, just thinking about how the judge might rule on such complex litigation.” Maggie hoped Elliot didn’t see through her rote response. She’d become excellent at keeping phrases on hand to reply to almost any legal jargon Elliot used. It’s not that she wasn’t interested… Okay, that’s a lie. She had absolutely no interest in corporate law. She wanted to care—and she appreciated Elliot’s passion, but discussing his cases had the same appeal to her as standing in line at the DMV.
“Yeah, it’ll be a tough one for the judge. We may need to ask an expert to file an amicus curiae brief in support of our case. Do you remember what amicus curiae means?”
Maggie pursed her lips and ventured a guess, “A party that appeals the decision?”
Elliot chuckled, “That’s the definition of appellate. Amicus curiae is an impartial advisor. But, I’ll give you half credit because they both start with ‘A.’”
Maggie gave a meek smile.Busted.Most of the time she was only half listening to his impassioned vocabulary lessons.
“Hey, I meant to tell you—my boss invited me to the annual Minneapolis Lawyers Luncheon. Can you accompany me? I really think this could be my chance to make a good impression. And if I do, it just may seal the deal on making partner.” Elliot beamed.
“Oh okay, yeah.” Maggie was happy for him. He deserved to make partner, but she dreaded the gallons of small talk that lawyer social events required.
Elliot reached over and squeezed her hand. “Perfect. And, can I put in a request?”
“Hmm?”
“Pleasewear that exact dress. The guys will be incredibly jealous of my smokin’ hot girlfriend.”
