“Sounds good.”
I start to pace because I think better on my feet, but eachsolution I debate, I remember who’s on the other side of the case. Hadley isvery good at her job. When I’m opposing her, I have to be at my best.
“Cayden?” my assistant, Debra, calls through the intercom.
“Yes?”
“Mr. Tobias would like to see you.”
Great. Just what I need…
Don’t get me wrong, Paul Tobias is a great guy to work for.He’s easy going, and doesn’t micromanage—as long as you’re bringing in clients,billable hours, and results.
Today, I didn’t close the deal, which I promised I wouldhave.
I head down the hall, straightening my tie before hissecretary, Rachel, nods me through.
“Hennington, how goes it?” Paul asks as I enter.
“Good, how about yourself?”
He smiles, closing the folder he was reviewing. “Can’tcomplain. How did today’s negotiations go? I’m ready to have another one in thebooks.”
I take a seat and prepare myself for a possible ass-chewing.“It’s not done yet, but we’ll get there.”
“Not done, why?”
“The previous firm he used to draw up the tentative contractdid a piss poor job. I’m working on getting things amended to better protectour clients. Opposing counsel is…difficult.”
Paul opens the file again, scanning the page. “HadleyArrowood?”
“That’s the one.”
“You should be a pro at handling her by now.”
Does anyone really handle her? I don’t think so. She’ssmart, strategic, and sexy as hell. Not that the last part has anything to dowith her as a lawyer, it’s just the truth.
“Well, sir, I am already dealing with one strike against me.The contract is garbage and Hadley knows it. She’s not going to back down, andhonestly, if it were me, I wouldn’t either.”
“Are you saying you can’t deal with the case?” he counters.
“No. I’m saying it’s going to take me a little bit of timeand creative thinking to get around it.”
His mouth sets into a thin line. “Okay, I had another case Iwas hoping to add you to, but I want this wrapped up first.”
“Which case?” I ask, because if it’s the new merger Iconsulted on, I want it. I worked my ass off to get them in the door and I’mnot about to let it go to Bob, who hasn’t brought anyone here in years, but isstill making the most money while doing the least work.
“The publishing houses.”
Fuck. I knew it. “Paul, with all due respect, that case wasmine. They weren’t even sure they should merge and I was the one who convincedthem it was time.”
Paul shrugs one shoulder. “That may be, but you’re tied upand I am not going to give them time to change their mind. If you’re able toget the other case cleaned up, then this one is yours.”
I get to my feet, a fire in my veins that wasn’t therebefore. “I’ll get it done and then I want my client.”
Paul stands as well. “Then I suggest you get to it andremind me why hiring you and not Hadley Arrowood was the right move.”
I plan to do exactly that.
