I hesitated. “I don’t thinkstrengthis the right word. I made a hard choice, and it bought me a second chance to do it right. But second chances don’t always look like you thought they would. It’s never a clean break.”
He raised his glass for the second time. “To second chances, then.”
I was grateful when he switched the conversation back to work. “What’s happening with Andie Reese? Has Eddie convinced the prosecutors to drop the case yet?”
“I think she’s going to plead guilty. She wants to move on.”
I debated telling him about George Brenner but decided not to. It was too close to Leo’s world. He probably knew George personally. “She’s writing a memoir.”
“Have you read it?”
I told him about the editing process Eddie came up with.
“Is there anything you can’t do? Star associate, ghost editor ... looks to me like this new life fits you like a glove.”
“I don’t know about all that, but thank you,” I said.
“You know, it’s been a long time since I met anyone like you.”
Something about the way he was looking at me made me feel vulnerable and flattered at the same time. And far out of my league.
“It’s been a pleasure learning from you,” I said, instinctively wrapping my blazer tighter.
He chuckled and held my gaze. “What do you say to one more drink? There’s a great little bar a few doors down.”
I looked down at my watch. “I’d like that ... but I really need to finish the memo from today’s meeting with the prosecutors.” I instantly felt guilty for lying. But despite all the mental space he’d taken up over the last month, it felt like something had shifted. His attention felt invasive. For the first time, I felt like wine was heightening my inhibitions instead of lowering them.
“Fair enough,” he said cheerfully. “I’ll pop in for a solo martini and make it an early night.”
I thanked Leo for dinner and promised again that his secret was safe with me.
I walked across to the 6 train, stopping to look down Park Avenue at the MetLife Building thirty blocks below. I knew Charlie had a hearing in the morning and would still be working. I took a picture of the building and texted it to him.
Waving from 72nd Street (good luck tomorrow).
Sterling was adamant that if we were going to file a lawsuit, we needed to file it before Thanksgiving so he could let his dad know he was putting his money where his mouth was.
Leo’s assistant scheduled the settlement meeting for Friday afternoon. I woke up at 5 a.m. to practice delivering my arguments. As much as I appreciated Leo’s hands-off approach, the idea of making an aggressive ultimatum to another lawyer while Leo watched was anail-biting propositionwithoutthe added complication of being in emotional limbo.
Charlie had a dentist appointment, which meant there was no one to absorb my nervous energy. I paced our office until it was almost time for the meeting. I found a sleeve of stale saltines in my desk and ate half before going down to set up the conference room a few minutes early.
Leo was already there, answering emails. “All the visitor offices were booked today, so I’ve actually been posting up here since this morning.”
He winked. “I’m feeling great energy in this room.”
He didn’t seem at all rebuffed by my ending the night after dinner.
The visitor desk downstairs called to let us know that Damian Entwhistle and his associate were on their way up. I tried taking a deep, cleansing breath and reminded myself that I knew these arguments backward and forward.
Damian was shorter than me, with a young Joe Pesci vibe. He had a thriving law practice in Jackson Heights defending clients whose business practices often got them in trouble.
“Great view from up here. I think we can see Philadelphia,” he joked in a heavy Queens accent.
We shook hands, and I took my seat next to Leo. I handed them each a set of exhibits I’d printed, markedPrivileged & Confidential/Attorney Work Productat the top.
“As you know, our client is intent on filing a lawsuit against your clients for breach of contract and fraud.”
Damian chuckled. “We’ve seen the same emails and texts as you. There’s no way there’s a colorable fraud claim here. But please, continue.”
