The corners of her lips tilt up until she notices I’m watching her and then she tempers her reaction. “Just sleep with the guy and get it over with.”
“He’s not that type of guy, plus—”
She rolls her eyes. “Every guy is that type of guy, Vic. What is it really?”
The bell dings, and the doors slide open, leaving us in the RISE foyer in front of the glass doors. We step off the elevator and I turn to face her.
“I haven’t dated anyone since the divorce. You think I don’t see what a wonderful guy he is? I do, and that’s why he can’t be my rebound guy.”
I walk through the glass doors and into my work area, Chelsea following behind.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. I thought we weren’t going out with him because he’s a lawyer and was the best man at your wedding? Now you’re bringing in a third reason?” Chelsea sits down in the chair across from me as I boot up my computer.
“There’s a host of reasons. Lawyers lie, yes, but technically he works for the public interest to put the bad guys behind bars, a noble profession. The best man thing is bound to cause trouble, but it really would be a great fuck you to Pete if I did sleep with his best man. Not that I would because of that.”
She leans forward in her seat and points to me. “He deserves it.”
“I’m not against ever getting married again, or dating, or living with someone, but right now I need to finish school. I need to make it, so my mom lives with me, not the other way around. I want to show Jade how to live your own life and let the man join your life, not become your life. Reed’s the type of guy who will gladly add us onto his shoulders—he’ll house us, feed us, clothe us, and love us.” My voice quivers despite my best effort to stop it from doing so.
“Vic,” Chelsea sighs. “You can have all that and get your degree and have a career.”
I shake my head. “Maybe, and Reed might be the person to allow me that, but what if he’s a rebound and I lose him because I’m not mentally able to move on yet? There’s a reason I haven’t dated in so long.”
Chelsea leans back with a forlorn expression on her face and I wish I was capable of reading her mind right now.
“I understand.” She stands and leans forward to squeeze my hand before walking down the hallway. “But at least screw him.” The echo of her laugh trails along with her as she heads into her office.
The office door opens and Hannah races in, her heels clicking faster than I’ve ever seen before. “Just the person I need to beg.” She points to me and doesn’t stop, but heads right into her office.
What now?
Chapter Sixteen
“Beg?” I ask following Hannah into her office.
Her space is like walking into a Pottery Barn office catalog if there was such a thing for office furniture. White desk with a green fabric chair tucked underneath. A leather couch and a flower-patterned chair are arranged in the corner with some knick-knacks with empowering sayings by women strewn throughout the space. Don’t get me wrong, it’s all beautifully done. She had a decorator, but the vision was hers. It screams femininity and I love that she didn’t cave to the typical dreary brown and gray office furniture.
“I need a lawyer.”
I tilt my head. “A divorce lawyer?”
“No. I’m already divorced.” She holds up her left hand where her ring finger remains empty. “Someone to look over some contracts. There’s a similar foundation out there that’s coming after us saying that our name and slogan is too similar.”
“Oh no. Okay, I can look someone up. I’m sure it won’t be a problem.” I jot it down on my pad of paper. “What about that tax attorney who called the office a few weeks back?”
She’s already shaking her head. “He’s great with numbers, but I need someone who knows lawsuits and contracts. Not to mention, I already tried him. He’s on vacation or something. His secretary said he couldn’t be reached. Where does someone go that a cell phone can’t be answered or an email sent?”
She scrunches her face up as if the thought is really beyond her understanding. The man’s probably on an anniversary trip with his wife or a family trip and doesn’t want to be disturbed.
“I’ll find someone.” I turn around to head to my computer thinking this will be an easy task.
“Victoria?”
I circle back around. She’s sitting down in her chair and plugging in her laptop now.
“What about that steak guy? Isn’t he a lawyer?”
I wave her off. “He’s the assistant district attorney. We should probably find a specialist for this.”
She types in her password, and then leans back in her chair, her fingernails tapping on her desk. “Could you give him a call? He’s what, just down the street, right?” She glances out the window as if she can see his office from here. Which she probably can since we’re high enough in the building.
“Um… I’m sure he’s busy. I guarantee I can find someone else.” I step backward.
“Maybe he can just take a quick look on his lunch break?”
Why is she pressing this issue?
“Um…”
“You’re not comfortable with it.” She waves me off. “I would never put you in an uncomfortable position. Never mind.”
All the tension leaves my body.
“It’s just this company is threatening to file later today and I’m desperate for someone to make sense of this,” she continues. “There are terms I just don’t understand. This will affect the programs we’re already implementing with the girls and I’d hate for them to stop. Losing traction would be detrimental to our efforts.” She pauses for a second. “Once you find someone, try to get them here today. I’ll pay double.”
I nod, stepping out of the room.
Shit, shit, shit. She’s not even a mother and she can guilt trip almost as well as my own. Fuck.
I sit down at my desk. Finding the right lawyer is easy, getting him or her here today even with double pay, will not be. And what if we end up with one of those ambulance chasers because we don’t have time to vet the right person? And then there are the girls. Girls my daughter’s age.
With a mental curse, I pull my cell phone out of my purse.
Holding it in my lap, I stare down at it for a few seconds. This is a business transaction. I’ll offer to pay him. Yes, brilliant. If he’s getting paid, then it’s not a favor.
Convinced I’ve come up with the best possible plan given the circumstances, I pull up his name.
Me: Do you have lunch plans?
Three dots appear immediately, and I wonder if there’s ever a time he doesn’t have his cell phone close at hand.
Reed: Is this Victoria?
Me: Do a lot of women text you asking about your lunch plans?
Reed: Well…I am a catch. Just ask your friend Chelsea.
Me: Try to get a hold of your ego for a second. This is business related.
Reed: Business? Did you commit a crime in the last half hour?
Me: My boss wondered if you’d look over some legal contracts for her?