Welcome to the wild west. Which building are you in?
A second text immediately followed.
How about an early, pre-happy hour drink? I’ll drop a pin so you can find my outdoor bar. This place is literally a military base.
So much had happened since I’d had dinner with Leo a month earlier. Without thinking, I responded that a drink sounded great.
I worked from my room for the rest of the afternoon. I still hadn’t heard anything from Charlie, but like clockwork, Leo dropped a pin at 4:30 p.m. with a message to meet him at five o’clock and to check the shuttle schedule.
The shuttle dropped me off at 4:58. I walked through the lobby to the heated outdoor bar, counting three hot tubs. I scanned the patio, finally spotting him behind a giant heat lamp.
He held up a chilled copper mug. “As I live and breathe. Samantha DeFiore, in the flesh. Welcome to Montana.”
He gave a warm hug and a subtle kiss on the cheek. I already knew I was blushing.
“This place is wild,” I said. It felt more après-ski and less lawyer retreat.
“The wild part hasn’t even started. This is like the firm’s version of Vegas.”
“Now I’m scared,” I said, only half joking.
“Andre tells me you’re killing it on the investigation.”
I relaxed slightly. “Really? He said that?”
“Another real feather in your first-year cap. Personally, I couldn’t be prouder.”
He couldn’t have looked prouder.
“Try this, it’s amazing.” He took my hand and wrapped it around his drink. I felt my face flush again. It felt too familiar to take a sip from his drink, but too awkward not to.
I took a micro sip as the back of my throat burned.
“Montana’s version of a Moscow mule. There’s habanero.”
“If it’s not going to offend Montana, I might just order a regular Moscow mule,” I said, my throat raspy.
“Suit yourself.” He turned to the bartender. “Classic Moscow mule for the lady.”
He asked me about the investigation as we waited for my drink. I felt my phone buzz in my blazer but didn’t want to look rude.
The drink arrived as Leo raised his mug to mine. “To your first firm-wide retreat. I’m honored to kick it off with you.”
His eyes locked with mine as we said “Cheers.”
Ireallywanted to check my phone.
“Okay, tell me everything. You’ve gone quiet on me since our dinner.” I read a touch of sincerity.
“Well, there really isn’t much to tell ... I’ve been glued to the office for the last few weeks, but I’m sure you already know that from Andre. We’re all in the same boat. It’s intense but going well.”
“And what about Andie Reese? I heard she pleaded guilty?”
I nodded. “Did Eddie tell you about George Brenner?”
“Only that he’s writing the screenplay for the movie. I’m such a fan. That dude is a fucking legend.”
“It’s incredible. It’s the ending she deserves, at least in one way. It makes for great storytelling.”
