“Oh, I saw,” Marjorie giggled. “Looks a lot like the makings of love. Are you all right?”
“You okay?”
She and Tori asked at the same time when I began choking on my champagne. “Y-yeah, I’m fine,” I answered, holding up my hands. “Also let’s not bring up the L word again, okay? Thanks.”
I watched Marjorie and Tori exchange a look, the meaning of which I wasn’t quite sure, but I knew I didn’t like it.
“Please, let’s change the topic.”
“Well, you know I don’t usually like to bring up business in off-hours, but I heard you’re the lawyer for Michele Wyatt. That’s a big deal,” Marjorie began.
“Oh yeah, I heard Jacob Wyatt’s wife filed for divorce. I didn’t know you were her attorney, Chanel. Why didn’t you say anything?” Tori added.
I shrugged. “A little thing called attorney-client privilege.”
Tori frowned. “I’m married to a lawyer, so I know telling me someone is your client wouldn’t violate that privilege.”
She was right, it wouldn’t, but I didn’t go around bragging about who my clients were.
“Wait, isn’t Jacob represented by Jason and Elliott’s firm?” Tori looked over to where the men stood.
“Yup,” Marjorie added.
“Oh, that’s messy.”
“Not really. Robert’s handling the divorce, so it’s not like I have much interaction with Jay or dad.”
“Well, I’m proud of you. It’s a huge case and from what Elliott’s been saying, you’re giving Robert a run for his money,” Marjorie laughed.
I paused, my champagne flute halfway to my face. “He’s mentioned it to you?”
“Oh yeah, he read over the deposition you did a few weeks back and was spouting some legal mumbo jumbo about what he would do next. Following day, he comes back and is like, she did it, she filed this claim or that claim with the judge.”
I crinkled my brows. I wanted to ask Marjorie if she was sure we were speaking about the same person.
“He’s proud of you.”
That almost made me choke again.
“Jay, too. He’s always talking about when you come to work at the firm, it’ll finally be complete,” Tori interjected.
I knew she wasn’t embellishing. Jason had already made his feelings clear on my working for the firm. But I was still digesting Marjorie’s comments.
“You okay?” I heard in my ear. I was instantly comforted by the hand on the small of my back as I looked up into Xavier’s handsome face.
“Perfect. You’re done with all your man talk,” I teased, as both my father and brother came to stand by their wives. I noticed again how my father easily slipped his hand around Marjorie’s waist, gracing her cheek with a kiss.
I blinked away, noticing a familiar face at the entranceway.
“There’s your mom.” I nodded to the door.
“I didn’t know she’d be here.” Xavier held up an arm to get her attention. She looked stunning in an off-the-shoulder beige dress that hugged her petite frame. She spotted Xavier and started in our direction. About halfway there, her steps faltered as she noticed the rest of our group. I wondered what that was about, but Tori mentioned something about the kids, and redirected my attention.
Wanda Grant joined us a moment later and greeted everyone, though her demeanor was a bit icy. It turned out her company was a big donor to the organization and at the last minute, had asked her to stand in for the executive who’d been supposed to come that night.
“Did you knowGrant’swas catering tonight?” I asked, making conversation as Xavier and Jason excused themselves to talk with some other people. “The crab cakes are delicious.”
Wanda nodded. “Yes, I’ve tried them at the restaurant.”
