“I’msorry you got stuck with Ava on Saturday,” I said, scooping the foam off my latte with a spoon. “Why she had to choose to go back to that friend’s and make you give her a lift, I don’t know.”
Elijah Wilder, friend and litigator extraordinaire, eyed me from over his black coffee. We’d worked together for nearly two years, except when I’d spent six months in Manchester helping to get the office there set up. He was the head of department, having a good six years more experience than me, and, as I’d admit to anyone, had been a great mentor and rock when I needed it.
He was also the firm’s eye candy along with my brothers, something I really didn’t get about any of them, although I could understand it more with Eli. “It was no problem. And it meant she got there safe.”
I shrugged. Saturday’s housewarming had been a good night. There had been a barbecue that Victoria had taken charge of; Max’s job solely that of keeping her wine glass full. Ava had also bought them a karaoke machine, which wasn’t one of her best ideas and one she’d kept from me, else it never would’ve seen the light of day. Victoria’s colleagues from the history department at King’s University had loved it though and some of them could actually hold a tune. At some point, my twin, Seph, thought he could sing as well and had proceeded to butcher a Kings of Leon classic until Max had threatened to batter him over the head with the other mic. “Ava takes advantage of people. Be warned. She finds someone she thinks is kind and sucks them in for as many favours as they’re willing to give.”
Eli smiled, draining his coffee. “Except I’m not that kind. Come on, Payton, you know me better than that.”
I grinned. I did know him better than that. He was a devil with clients and a beast with opposing lawyers and sometimes would put the fear of God into me when I heard him on the phone in our shared office, tearing someone a new hole. “I was just worried your recent break up would’ve turned you soft.”
He sighed and gestured to the wait staff for another couple of coffees. This was our Monday morning ritual: seven o’clock meet up for caffeine, breakfast and a preview of the week’s cases and court appearances. It was also an occasional post-match analysis of weekend events too and there had been many times I’d spouted to Eli about how fecking stupid men were and he’d attempted to rationalise my thoughts, usually after a one-night stand or a third date with a dick who I realised was an idiot after wasting too much time. “I know it was just a few weeks ago, but it had been over way before that. When was the last time you saw her in Borough or me go up there?”
He had a point. “I get that. Still, you now have the whole big bad world of dating to investigate again.”
The waiter brought over our coffees. My latte came with a chocolate dusted heart on top which I decided was worth a picture.
“I have dated before, Payts,” he said. “Are you getting me in on the photo?”
“Of course. The world of Instagram needs to see my sexy colleague.”
He flipped me the bird.
I took the photo.
“You’ve got a quiet week for you,” Eli said, studying me. “A chance to get your time recording up to date and get on top of a few files.”
“Hmmm,” I said, adding a filter and popping it on Instagram. I hated time recording—logging the number of hours you spend on a case so the client is billed correctly. It had to be done monthly and those figures showed whether or not we were on track to meet our target. Just because I was an equity partner didn’t mean I got out of having a target, because essentially, I took home a share of the profits. That didn’t mean I had to enjoy the admin side though. “I deserve a week of calm and quiet after the last couple. I have the Kingston case going to court in three weeks, so that’ll be fecking hellish.”
Eli shrugged. “All the more reason to get on top of everything while you can. I’ve got court and a mediation this week and a three-day court case next. Which leaves me with no time to be going on any of those stupid dating apps you keep advertising.”
He was growly this morning. Probably not enough coffee. Or still getting over the fifteen minutes he had to spend with my sister.
“Excuses, excuses. I will get up to date on the crap through. Maybe spend today wading through it and then find something more productive to do. I do have three meetings this week. One’s on that horrendous case from Wilmott Masons and I need to do a bit of reading on precedents on that.” I scooped off the foam again, making sure to break the heart in two.
Eli watched what I was doing through narrowed eyes. “Why don’t you get back on those dating apps? Maybe you’ll meet a decent man this time. We’re not all complete fuckwits. Not that I’m offering my services.” He looked slightly uncomfortable, something which I enjoyed the sight of.
We had never gone there, even during the brief period when we were both single. As much as Eli was gorgeous, all dark hair and brooding stubble, we were too similar in temperament to do anything but be buddies or bicker. Seph had brought it up once when we were out for drinks after work in his unsubtle, unfiltered way and suggested that we’d have successful, genius children, to which we’d looked at each other in horror and then vilely abused my twin.
“They still wouldn’t be accepted,” I said. “As much as you’re desperate for me to lavish my loving on you.”
His phone rang before he could respond and he grabbed it before I could see who was calling. It was too early to be a client and he cancelled the call, so my curiosity was left unsatisfied.
* * *
I was buried deep in files with a calculator before nine o’clock, a playlist from my music library on low to fill the too-quiet air. I’d heard Jackson and Maxwell clatter into the office from the gym they maintained in the basement just after eight and then the usual incoming noise of the office staff and other fee earners shortly after. Seph had popped his head around the door and dropped off a coffee and a bagel without saying anything, which was very much appreciated and I seriously felt that the day, despite it being Monday, was getting off to a good start.
“Payton? Are you alive in there?”
I lifted my head from the files, recognising the non-dulcet tones of Phillip, one of our receptionists. “Sorry, Phil, I was buried arse deep in billing crap. Come in.”
He stuck his head around the door and frowned at the mess across my office. I’d even taken over Eli’s area and he’d escaped to use one of the bigger conference rooms. “There’s someone here who wants to see you as soon as possible. He’s come in to make an appointment but as your diary’s clear, would you see him today?”
I pulled a face at the files. Anything to escape time recording. “I can see him now if he has time. This isn’t urgent.”
Phil looked at me judgmentally. “Well, it kind of is, but if that’s what you want to tell yourself. I’ll see if wants now. Are you able to clear space in here or shall I see if a meeting room’s free?”
“No offense taken, mother Phil. Yes, I’ll clear in here. Bring him through, with a pot of coffee maybe and those Danishes I saw Clara appear with.” I’d been ransacking Seph’s office for stationary when I’d seen one of the fee earners trot by with a box of pastries.
