With that, he turned, crossing the room in a few quick strides before yanking the door open. “Alex?—”
The door slammed shut behind him, the sound echoing through the office and leaving me standing there alone with the aftermath of a conversation that I already knew I wouldn’t be forgetting anytime soon.
CHAPTER 6
JACQUELINE
Corporate law had always been my special interest, but I’d never actually had the chance to practice it. After graduating from law school, I’d gone straight into estate law because in London,thatwas where the work was.
All the major legacy names were starting to die off and that meant their estates and titles were being passed down the line. I hadn’t minded it, but there was only so much excitement one could wring out of wills, trusts, and the occasional family dispute over who got the silver and who got the scandal.
Ellis & Addeson was something else entirely.
My office was large and light, two of my walls made entirely of glass. The view of the lake was perfect, even from my desk. I’d noticed the same thing from most of the other offices, conference rooms, and even breakrooms I’d been in since arriving here.
It made me wonder if the firm had chosen this building specifically to remind its lawyers to breathe between battles. As I looked around my space, mentally making a list of things I needed to get to make it my own, I didn’t know if I would always be able to follow that advice, but this certainly wasn’t a bad view to come back to even if you were hyperventilating.
My gaze shifted to the one thing I’d brought with me for my desk, a small frame sitting on the corner with a picture in it of Hubert at four months old. He’d been all oversized paws and questionable coordination, staring directly at the camera like he’d known I would need this picture of his happy little face one day.
I swallowed, a tight wedge catching briefly in my throat before I forced it back down. This wasn’t the time to get emotional. Crying in a brand-new office at one of the most prestigious firms in Chicago over a dog that had been wrongfully relocated to France was no way to make a good impression.
So instead, I dragged my attention back to the neat stack of files in front of me, then glanced at the clock ticking steadily toward my first meeting. In two minutes, I would be sitting down with one of the firm’s biggest clients—after only one week to bring myself up to speed on an entirely new firm and a new area of focus.
At this point, however, I knew Thayer Steelworks’ file inside out. All that remained was to meet the actual clients and find out what our next steps for them were going to be. I stood up and smoothed a hand down the front of my blazer. Rolling my shoulders back, I mentally ran through everything I’d absorbed over the past week.
It had been a lot, but somehow, I hadn’t been overwhelmed by any of it. Miranda was a dream to work with, brilliant, decisive, and refreshingly uninterested in making meprove myselfbeyond what she already knew I was capable of. She’d barely hesitated before looping me into high-level conversations, already talking casually about making me,Jaqueline Calhoun,a senior partner.
I knew there were Westwoods in Chicago, of course, but I’d never been particularly interested in getting to know them. After everything I’d heard growing up about the way my grandparents’family had treated my mother, politely distant at best and quietly dismissive at worst, it had never been a relationship that felt worth pursuing.
Family was only as meaningful as they chose to be and I had better things to do, so I was just fine being aCalhoun.
Just as I was leaving my office, Miranda appeared from the opposite direction, her energy as sharp and efficient as ever. She smiled when she saw me. “Perfect timing. They’ve just arrived.”
“Punctual,” I replied, falling into step beside her. “That’s a good sign, isn’t it?”
She shot me another quick smile. “Relax. You’re going to like them.”
“I already do,” I said dryly. “Anyone who makes us money is immediately my favorite.”
Miranda laughed as she pushed open the door. Her tone was warm but authoritative as she strode inside. “Jaqueline Calhoun, meet Colin Thayer.”
I followed her in, my attention snapping to a man standing near the table. He was younger than I’d expected from what I’d read about him. Late twenties or early thirties at most instead of at least early forties like I’d thought.
That alone made me respect him. He’d achieved a lot for someone so young. He was also well put together without trying too hard. He seemed confident without being arrogant.
“Colin is CFO of Thayer Steelworks,” Miranda said as I shook his hand. “Jacque here is our newest addition to the team. Fresh off the plane from London. We imported her because she’s the absolute best out there at what she does.”
Colin chuckled. “Welcome to Chicago, Jacqueline. I hope the city’s been treating you well so far.”
“It’s been lovely.” I let go of his hand after shaking it, pleasantly surprised by how normal he seemed for holding sucha high position in the largest steel production company in the Midwest. Very down to earth. I liked that. I could work with that.
Miranda stepped forward again, motioning to a woman standing on the other side of the table. “This is Jane. She’s their CEO.”
I turned to extend my hand toward her, instantly recognizing that she was something else entirely. Polished and composed, she seemed like the kind of woman who didn’t need to assert authority because it was already there, carved into the way she stood, the firm grip of her handshake, and the way she held eye contact just a second longer than necessary.
Her lips curved into a polite but genuine smile as she shook with me. “We look forward to working with you, Jacque. Can I call you that or do you prefer Jacqueline?”
“Jacque is fine.” I liked her immediately too. Smiling, I released her hand and took my seat, opening my notebook when the meeting began.
