The smoky makeup on her eyes intensifies her light brown eyes as they sear across the office and focus on me. “Yes, he was. However, we all know Victor is a greedy beast who’s never satisfied unless he’s the only one with a full belly. Between him and that spawn of his, we’re all going to fall victim to their gluttony eventually.”
I roll my lips together to hide a smirk and finally sit back in my office chair. Rowena lets the corner of her nude-painted lips lift in approval.
“I’m going to assume that he’s unhappy with the recent praise you’ve received from Tucker himself?”
“You assume correctly. He’s a pouty little suck sitting upstairs in his office. If I trusted you not to rub this in Spencer’s face the moment we parted ways, I’d suggest taking you to go see for yourself.”
Tucker Winston is currently one of the highest-paying clients the firm has. While recently traded to the BC Pythons CFL team, he’s had ongoing legal battles with the mother of his four-year-old daughter for the last year. When he moved to Vancouver, he sought a new firm to handle his case. Graham was the first one to speak with him, but the moment Rowena swooped in, he was putty in her hands, leaving no room for Victor to try sneaking his way in.
Now, she’s the lead lawyer on his custody case. And too similar to his protégé Spencer, Victor knows how to hold a grudge.
“Oh, come on. Who do you take me for?” I ask coyly.
“You are too much like me for your own good.”
“Last time I checked, that was a good thing. It got me here, didn’t it?”
She tips her chin thoughtfully, growing more serious than I expected. “I’ve heard rumblings about the gala.”
“Spencer’s doing, I assume,” I grumble.
“I know we’re not women who paint our nails together and gossip much, but if you are in a serious relationship, Aubrey, I would like to know so I can help you lessen your workload accordingly.”
The offer shocks me. I do a shit job of hiding it, considering the humour that flickers across her gaze.
She clears her throat and leans forward. “I’m not heartless. At least not in this room. You work more than anyone with someone waiting at home for them should. Trust me on that.”
“I appreciate it, but I’m alright. My work/life balance has always been a bit . . . off.”
“It’s not too late to change that. Before you know it, you’ll be forty-three and spending every night nursing a glass of wine in your office while sorting through paperwork.Alone. Take me up on the offer while it’s here, Aubrey.”
My stomach turns, heavy with guilt. I shake my leg beneath the table and chew on my cheek, debating whether to tell her the truth about this whole thing. If anyone was going to believe me and maybe even share some of my inner turmoil, it would be Rowena, considering she’s speaking from experience.
“Can we invoke attorney-client privilege here for a minute?”
She blinks once, the only sign of confusion. “Am I your attorney now?”
“For the moment, let’s say so.”
“Alright.”
I dig my elbow into my desk and blow out a rough breath. “I don’t have a boyfriend. I haven’t in years. The only reason Spencer believes I do and that I’m bringing one to the gala is because he’s a weasel with loose, flappy lips.”
“Oh, Aubrey. There’s not a single reason for you to need to bow to Spencer’s pressure. This is petty on his part, and I’m going to?—”
“No!” I blurt out, standing again. “You can’t get involved. I’m handling it.”
“This is nothandlingit. This is the most prestigious law firm in Vancouver, and we don’t fall prey to these ridiculous schemes. Spencer carries himself with the confidence of his mentor, not his own,” she presses, her spine perfectly straight, muscles taut.
“It’s fine, Rowena. Truly. I can handle myself.”
She rises from the couch and runs two hands down her skirt. “I’m well aware. You’re the only other lawyer here besides myself and the two assholes that I share the upper floor with who I don’t worry might crack under pressure. That doesn’t mean that I don’t still believe this pettiness Spencer blows out of his ass is below you. I’ve attended every gala on my own, and that hasn’t made a dent in the reputation I’ve made for myself. It won’t for yours, either.”
“It’s more than that,” I say, looking away as my chest constricts. “Petty or not, I refuse to let him get one over on me. I’m not afraid of someone overlooking my talent and success because of a simple relationship rumour. It’s the entire idea of Spencer getting one up on me. It makes my skin crawl. He doesn’t get to know he’s won when I can simply prove him wrong for one night. You’re right in saying that he’s below me, but I want to prove that to everyone, just not the two of us. And showing up with a man on my arm is the simplest way to get his mouth to shut for a few hours.”
“So, this is just to beat him, then?”
“Yes.”
