Wait.Where have I seen his face before? I know this man from somewhere… but where?
“Aaron Singleton, meet Minji Lee, our star attorney,” Caleb introduces. “Aaron is a New York Times Best-selling author.”
The name sounds familiar, but maybe I’m wrong.He probably favors someone I saw in passing, probably an old client.
“Pleasure to meet you,” Aaron responds, extending a hand. His grip is firm and warm, and it lingers a beat too long. I withdraw my hand quickly, ignoring the tingle that races up my arm. “And it’s an honor to work with someone of your caliber.”
I size him up before looking at Caleb as I sit. “What does he mean byworkingwith me? Last time I checked, our professiondidn’t need a writer to tag along. And I thought you told me this morning I was only sharing an office space.”
Caleb’s smile widens. “You will be sharing an office space with Aaron, who wants to better understand the legal world for his next novel. And what better way to learn than from the best? We thought a month of shadowing you might give him the insight he needs.”
I stiffen. Shadowing me? The idea is absurd. I would rather garden with Demi than be a muse or inspiration for a damn novel.
“If he wants to write a non-fiction novel, he can go to the New York Public Library and pick up an encyclopedia or perhaps find another law firm,” I state, flatly.
“I don’t write non-fiction. Romance is my lane,” Aaron interjects with a chuckle, taking a seat. “And what’s more romantic than the passionate pursuit of justice?”
I scoff, resisting the urge to roll my eyes.Passionate pursuit of justice?He makes it sound like a sultry plotline. “Law isn’t about romance, Mr. Singleton. It’s about precision, logic, and sometimesbrutalreality.” If Caleb thinks I’m going to have some romance writer trailing around me like a puppy, disrupting my workflow, he’s sorely mistaken. “Besides, I’m not someone you want to shadow. I think the genre you write is absurd. Romance is for dreamers, not doers. And once again, you do know I’m adivorce attorney?”
Aaron’s smile doesn’t falter. Instead, it broadens. “Exactly why you’re the perfect person, Minji. Divorce law is a battleground of love turned sour. I couldn’t think of a more poignant backdrop for a story about the complexities of human relationships.” He leans forward, hands clasped together as if he’s unveiling the plot twist of his next bestseller.
I feel a muscle twitch in my jaw. This man doesn’t give up—a trait I love in a man—but not one who is about to invade mypersonal space. I would have stayed on my leave of absence for the entire four months if I had known something like this would happen. Now I have to deal with some romance-obsessed writer shadowing me. All while William gets to work on my cases. My throat constricts at the thought, and I force myself to meet Caleb’s expectant gaze.
“I have the Hui-Wang case that alone requires my complete focus. I can’t have someone shadowing me.”
“Listen, Minji—can I call you that? I honestly believe we could have a successful partnership. Don’t worry, I won’t get in your way by any means. All I want to do is observe. Consider me a shadow. Quiet but always there. I can also be useful if you need me to?—”
“No.” I cut him off, standing up. “If you want to shadow someone, we have paralegals, interns, other senior associates… anyone but me. Romance is the last thing on my mind. The whole genre is pointless. Having you follow me around is pointless. And frankly, coming to this meeting feelspointless.”
Aaron’s smile finally falters, a flicker of genuine surprise crossing his face. He tilts his head slightly. “Pointless?” He arches an eyebrow. “Or perhaps it’s exactly the point you’re missing, Minji. Sometimes, what we resist most is what we need the most.”
I blink, momentarily at a loss. It’s infuriating, the way he twists words, the way he delves into the depths of sentiment without a second thought. His philosophical musings have no place here. This man thinks he has me figured out after a five-minute conversation, and yet, somehow, that easy self-assurance rattles me more than I care to admit. This is not going the way I anticipated. I was prepared to defend my time against minor inconveniences, like a new intern, not to become this note-taking novelist’s new muse.
“Mr. Singleton,” my voice icy, attempting to regain control of this spiraling conversation. “Your observations about what I need are neither requested nor required. My focus is on the law, not on literary distractions.”
He stands up, his tall frame looming over me as he adjusts his suit jacket. I grit my teeth, feeling increasingly frustrated by this man’s audacity to psychoanalyze me like I’m one of his fictional characters. It’s both enraging and unsettling. Why the hell would Caleb think this is remotely okay? We are a reputable law firm. This just makes us seem like a joke.
“My work involves helping real people with real problems. People who don’t live in a fantasy world. I don’t see how this little arrangement is going to work. You’re a romance author trying to shadow a divorce attorney; that’s absurd. Aren’t your books just fictional stories filled with fluff and make-believe?”
“Nothing about what I do ismake-believe.” His expression shifts from charm to fierce determination, catching me off guard. “Every story I write is about the complexities of human relationships, the heartbreaks and reconciliations. It’s all rooted in reality… just like your cases. I’m not here to distract you or trivialize your work. On the contrary, I’m here to learn from it, to understand the intricacies of broken vows and the legal battles that ensue.”
The frustration still simmers within me, but his perspective is undeniably compelling. He continues, his voice softer now. “Minji, I believe that observing your work could breathe life into my characters and make them more genuine. And perhaps…” He pauses. “Perhaps seeing your world through my eyes might offer you a different viewpoint, too.”
“This is absurd?—”
“Minji, you’re the only attorney at the firm with one case.” Caleb looks at my medical boot. “Jasmyn was initially our person, but seeing as you’re back, you’re the most logical choicefor Mr. Singleton to shadow. I assure you he won’t be a hindrance. If that seems to be an issue, you can always return home and come back once the full twelve weeks are over.”
Well, that ultimatum is loud and clear. Either work with Aaron or don’t work at all.
“Fine,” I reply, suppressing my growing annoyance, and let out a deep breath. I know when I’m cornered.
“Is there anything else we need to discuss?” I ask, staring directly at Caleb, pointedly ignoring Aaron’s presence. Something I wish I could do for the next month, but I know, deep down, he is going to make itimpossibleto ignore him.
“No, that will be all for now. Aaron will start shadowing you as of today.” Caleb’s tone suggests the matter is settled. “Oh, and Minji? Play nice.”
Play nice? This is utter bullshit if you ask me. I nod curtly and turn to leave, not bothering to wait for Aaron. I can hear his footsteps behind me, unfaltering, as if his mere presence isn’t enough of an intrusion.
As we enter my office, his eyes sweep over every detail. I can almost see him storing away each image for future reference. It’s as if he’s cataloging my entire existence in a single glance. “Quite the fortress of solitude you’ve got here,” he quips and has the audacity to grin like he’s discovered Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory and won an all-access pass inside.
