“He’s old school,” she said, smiling.
“As old as it gets, but he’s a freaking rock star, so we put up with his nitpicking.”
“I see him on TV all the time.”
“He’s their first call when there’s a huge celebrity split and always has a great take on what’s ahead for the couple.”
“I’ve learned a lot from him about community property and other such things.”
“He’s a family law master class, and so is my mother, which is another reason why we all sucked it up and went to work for the family businesses.As much as we still resent them for what they put us through, we respect them both as the brilliant lawyers they are.”
“Do they speak to each other these days?”
“Just to say hello, most recently at my youngest sibling Roman’s college graduation a few years ago.”
“I can see why you’d want to avoid all that for yourself.”
“Yeah, it’s actually not that hard to stay above the romantic fray when you’ve come from what we did.”
“I really appreciate your time today.I feel better knowing you’ll be looking out for me and Ty.”
“I’ll do everything I can to help you.Did my assistant send over the retainer paperwork?”
“She did, and I sent it back an hour before our lunch.”
Julian reached for the check that the waiter had left on the table.“Great, thanks.I’ll keep you posted on any developments.”
“Let me get this,” she said.
“No way.It’s on me.Clients don’t pay.Well… for lunch, that is.”
He was glad to leave her laughing after a tough conversation about protecting the person she loved best—not to mention her own reputation.
It burned his ass the way people tried to make a consensual sexual relationship into something deviant just because the concept was unfamiliar to them.He’d always believed that if more people participated in the BDSM lifestyle and all the incredible communication that went with it, there might be fewer divorces.
He texted Ernie for a ride back to “home base,” as they referred to the office.His faithful driver came around the corner five minutes later in one of the black Mercedes sedans the firm provided to transport them around the famously congested city during the workday.
Julian slid into the back seat.
“Tell me everything about the lunch with the supermodel,” Ernie said as he headed toward Beverly Boulevard.He was obsessed with all things celebrity.“Don’t leave anything out.”
Julian chuckled at Ernie’s shamelessness.“Just another day at the office, my friend.”
“Sure it was.Spill the deets, man.I’m living vicariously.”
“The deets are that she’s a really nice person, concerned about her kid, the way most mothers are, and in need of a little legal help.”
“What’s the issue?”
“You know I can’t tell you that.”
“I keep all your secrets, Counselor.Going on ten years now.”
“I’d trust you with my life, Ernie, but some things are too personal to share even with you.”
“Sounds juicy.”
“Nah, just another client with problems she needs me to solve.”
